Trick Bolt #1

[pcad]

I recently bought this puzzle and it worked quite well, for awhile. The puzzle worked well and the nut could be advanced easily enough and couldn't be taken off in the normal manner. It was easy enough to solve, but I thought a little cleaning would make it work a bit smoother. Now after cleaning and a little WD-40 it doesn't work as a puzzle at all. Nut goes on, nut comes off. Acts like a normal bolt.

So now I'm looking for something to put on the threads that will create a little friction so the mechanism engages, but not so much that the nut is too hard to remove.

Ive considered sand, flour, nail polish, adhesives, and maybe just a whiff of loc-tite. I havent tried any of these yet and was hoping I'm not the only dope that's done something like this. Any suggestions before I make a broken puzzle worse?

[bluesign2k]

I'm not entirely sure which puzzle you're talking about... have you got a picture?

[BBloke]

I'm sure I can't help but I would think trying to get it as clean and free of wd40 would be the better way to go. I'm not sure what would work but I would consider a degreaser rather than something that could be abrasive. It may be that anything powdery would simple clog up the mechanism as it binds with the wd40.

Good luck. I'm sure others may have better suggestions but thought I would offer some a degreaser as an option.

[TheWaddler]

i think degreaser sounds like your best bet. i would stay away from loctite cos you risk locking the nut on completely. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[TheJuggler]

If it was wooden I'd suggest talc. (Baby powder). It works well at absorbing moisture, and doesn't form clumps. However be careful if there is a way for that to get inside a mechanism. Wouldn't want to get things jammed.

[pcad]

The puzzle is found on puzzle master and brilliant puzzles sites. It's name is "trick bolt #1".

Without discussing the solution, the puzzle NEEDS friction between the nut and bolt threads. Without friction the "brake" isn't activated and doesn't prevent the nut from turning in the direction needed to remove the nut.

I called both sites. Brilliant puzzles rep had no idea what I was talking about but said that I wasn't eligible for a refund. and the puzzle master rep knew what i meant but has never had anyone dumb enough to clean and lubricate the puzzle and didn't know what to use to create the lost friction. To be fair he didn't call me dumb.

So I turn to my fellow revomaze nuts which include some rather clever folk that might know what to do. I mean, what's the worst that can happen, it doesn't work at this point and I don't need a 3/4 inch bolt at the moment. My own instincts tell me to use a varnish or nail polish to gum up the threads a little bit. I really didn't notice that I was removing any material when I was cleaning it, but obviously I was.

[TheJuggler]

I'd recommend against any sort of glue or nail polish type substance.

Perhaps try some paraffin wax (take a candle and use that). The wax will ensure a lubrication but also adds friction. Other than that some common soap may be possible, but really nothing that will clump, or dry solid.

[pcad]

If there was paraffin in the threads I'm sure the WD-40 would have softened or dissolved it without my noticing it. I'll try that first. I guess a votive candles wax would work. I'll let you know if it works.

[pcad]

The paraffin did increase the friction somewhat, but the nut doesn't jam the way it used to. The braking action occurs but the nut still comes off normally without doing anything special. It just takes a little force to overcome the wax in the threads which is the only thing in the way of removing the nut.

The rest of the puzzle is coated in a clear lacquer like some of the Hanayama puzzles are. I wonder if this coating was on the threads too. There was plenty of play between the bolt and the nut after my misguided cleaning.

Whatever I try next has to have a solvent in case it binds up completely.

[maztec]

Contact the creator?

Could try thinning some loctite with wax or something and using it, but again could totally mess things up too.

I would try degreaser as already suggested.