Wooden Pyramid Puzzle

The picture is of the Great Pyramid of Giza and there is no way two wooden puzzle pieces would make a true model.

This is a simple to make puzzle and once you are set up you can make dozens easily. Each puzzle only has two parts, and both parts are identical. The second photo shows the three different sizes I have made over the years. In this Instructable I am only going to tell you how to make the parts, it will be up to you to figure out how to put the pieces together and solve the puzzle. It might help to look up the definition of a pyramid in the dictionary.

Here is a drawing for one piece. ( Piece two is the same. )

( I wasn't able to travel to Egypt for this photo, but it is a free download from the Giza Governorate, Egypt. https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-riding-a-camel-near-pyramid-under-blue-sky-3689859/)

If you use wood here are the necessary supplies and tools:

Wood, a nice hard wood is nice, but any wood would work.

Varnish, or paint. Either will keep finger prints from staining the wood.

Wood saw. Hand or power, obviously a power saw would be quicker and having a miter gauge would be a big help.

Protractor for 30º and 60º While fit isn't a problem with this puzzle, getting the angles close looks better.

If you don't cut wood, you could make the pieces from almost anything, clay, paper, etc.

The first step is to rip your wood into Equilateral Triangle strips. The easiest way is to tip your table saw blade to 30º and rip off the first strip. The cut off piece will be half of a full triangle strip, so I saved it and glued it to another strip to make a full triangle. To make one puzzle set you will need a triangle strip about 4.4 times the edge side of the strip. So the strips in the picture are 5cm on the side, so to make one set would take 22cm of stock. I had ripped about 140cm so I was able to make 6 sets. After the strips are cut is a good time to sand all the saw cuts smooth.

The second step is to cut the ends of the pieces. I used my radial arm saw with the blade tipped to 30º. The starting cut will leave one edge longer than the other two. I use a block cut with a 60º "V" cut in it so I wouldn't need to change the angle of the blade for each cut. Then I turned the strip over to cut the other end. Measure from the long tip for twice the edge side, or for my 5cm strips, 10cm, plus a little for sanding. Since I was making more I clamped a wood block to create a repeatable stop for the next piece, then cut it off. To cut the next piece I rotated the stock strip 120º and held it in the "V" block. Rotating the strips minimizes the scrap and if you are making a bunch you will make a few more sets.

You are done cutting. I used a belt sander to smooth all the cuts and round the edges. Sand the pieces until they feel good in your hands. Then I put some polyurethane to seal the wood pores. This will keep finger oils from staining the wood.

I ended up with some extra parts, (actually these are parts I cut wrong). They are not useful as puzzle pieces but I kept them for supports when I paint stuff.

So the last step is to solve the puzzle. It really isn't too hard, but it is hard to see the solution the first time.

Please be safe

Good Luck and Have Fun.

These make great favor gifts!

I modeled this in OnShape, a free online 3D modeler. The free version does everything I need, but the paid version does lots more.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/6cba4bbcc52d7d7bdb3828be/w/c68e8cb79eeb381144640900/e/c2416e41be8f8e6ad882ac29?renderMode=0&uiState=65220f04af92b06d3d45181d