Clever Puzzle Boxes

Build a clever Japanese-style puzzle box that opens with a 5-step sequence—fun to make, challenging to solve, and perfect for gifts or selling.

Discover the art of woodworking with this step-by-step plan for building a Japanese-inspired puzzle box! This clever box opens only after following a sequence of five precise sliding moves, making it both a fun challenge to open and a rewarding project to build.

These wooden puzzle boxes are great for developing fine woodworking skills and make perfect handmade gifts. The design uses only a small amount of lumber, so it's ideal for showcasing exotic wood scraps you've been saving. And once your router bit and fence setup is dialed in, batch-making these boxes is quick and easy — build one or a dozen!

Whether you're a hobbyist looking to sharpen your accuracy or a maker searching for unique items to sell, this DIY puzzle box plan delivers a rewarding, compact project that’s big on charm and craftsmanship.

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What You Get:

  • 8 printable (digital) pages of step-by-step instructions
  • 60 full-color exploded views, photos and illustrations
  • Materials list and cutting diagram
  • Retail sources for hardware and supplies

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