The Impossible Dovetail Puzzle Box

• Solid wood
• Secret cavity
• Magnets (because who doesn't love magnets)

This is a deceptively tricky puzzle box. It has a small cavity inside which is big enough to hide a secret message or even a small item. 

Stump your players with a box that appears to be impossible to open. It's a great challenge for a session and a super reveal for a secret message! 

Solution

1. Find the ball bearing. Wiggle the two halves of the box whilst examining the corners until you find the one with the ball bearing. This is what prevents it from moving.
2. Invert and hit that corner on your hand. Hold the box with the red side down and hit the corner with the ball bearing firmly against the palm of your hand. You should hear a click as the ball bearing releases from the magnet.
3. Slide the halves apart. The two halves of the box will now slide easily apart diagonally. To close it again, line the halves up with each other and hit the box against your hand with the red side on top.

Things to note

Whole Size
Metric: 7.5 x 7.5 x 5 cm
Imperial: 3 x 3 x 2 inch

Cavity Size
Metric: 1.3 x 5 x 5 cm
Imperial: 0.5 x 2 x 2 inch