Fig. 394.—The Six Pieces, each 4 ins. by 1 in. square.
Chinese Cross.—[Fig. 392] shows a variation of the Chinese cross, which is perhaps the most fascinating of all woodwork puzzles. Take six pieces of hardwood ([Fig. 394]) and accurately plane and saw them so that each piece will measure 4 ins. by 1 in. by 1 in. Bearing in mind that all the cuts are multiples of 1⁄2 in., set out, saw and chisel five of the pieces to agree with the sketches 1, 1A, 2, 2A and 3. Leave the key piece intact. The puzzle is of course to fit all the six pieces together so as to form the Chinese cross or block given at [Fig. 392]. As a clue to the method of assembly we give another sketch ([Fig. 393]) showing four of the pieces fixed together. The reader can, if he so desires, make the puzzle to a smaller scale by using six pieces of wood each measuring 2 ins. long by 1⁄2 in. by 1⁄2 in.
Fig. 395.—Diagonal Chinese Cross Puzzle. (Two Pieces required of A, Three of B and One of C.)
Diagonal Chinese Cross.—At [Fig. 395] is given a sketch of a completed Chinese block or cross puzzle in which the various pieces of wood go together diagonally. Plane up a piece of hardwood (which may be about 14 ins. or 15 ins. long) so that it measures on its end 1⁄2 in. square. Cut the wood into six pieces which measure about 21⁄4 ins. long, and then proceed to mark out, saw and pare up with the chisel two pieces like sketch A, three pieces like B, and one key piece as C. Now fit these together to make the completed cross. The solution is left to the reader.
[Fig. 396] shows a combination of six pieces which, when fitted together, will make the Chinese cross similar to [Fig. 392]. Plane up the strip of hardwood (birch preferred) so that it measures 1⁄2 in. square at the end and proceed to mark out and make two pieces like D, two like E, one like F, and one piece like G. Put the pieces together to form the Chinese cross. Again the reader is left to solve the problem of fitting.
Fig. 396.—Another Chinese Cross. (Two Pieces required of D, Two of E, and One each of F and G.)