Diagonal Cut Puzzle

[turtleteasers]

My neighbor has given me a calendar of Japanese woodblock prints. The quality of the printing and paper is superb. I will cut a jigsaw puzzle for her as thanks, and will cut the rest for gifts and sales.

I have cut the first one (one of my favorites by Hiroshige) in a regular diagonal pattern. I know that opinion on this board is generally in favor of freehand or color-line cutting, but that is not my style, so I will leave that to the experts.

I have settled on regular geometric patterns as in my opinion they pose a greater challenge, since the shapes of the pieces provide fewer clues. In addition, the diagonal cut means that the edge pieces do not connect directly, so you can't do the border first!

The puzzle is fully interlocking and can easily be lifted by any corner without dropping any pieces.

Ron

[handibunny]

What a beautiful job! Can you explain what you mean by "diagonal cutting" and how you decide on the shapes of the pieces. Are the shapes repeating? Are they cut freehand, or do you use a pattern? Thanks.

[Scrolling Days]

Hi, Ron. That looks really beautiful! I like to think that the only rule about making puzzles is there are no rules. Pattern or not, that came out really nice.

In fact, the overall geometric effect of having very similar repeating piece shapes gives a very stunning effect when looking at the finished puzzle. Well done!

[Wood Dog]

Magnificent

[Big_red_S]

Wow Ron, looks fantastic

[Arcy]

Looks great, Ron.

The shapes of your pieces have an asian tone that complements the image well. =

--Rob

[CanadianScroller]

Brilliant!

[sawdustus]

WOW! That is the most unusual and one of the most difficult puzzles I have ever seen. Are you going to provide a picture so solvers have a chance? I love to see the variations that people create from the simple act of cutting a picture into pieces. Thanks for sharing.

george

[Jim Day]

Great job! I have just started to try the puzzle concept, some of you have done a great job. Keep posting always want to see what the other scroller is doing, keep up the good work!!!

Jim

[turtleteasers]

Originally Posted by handibunny

Can you explain what you mean by "diagonal cutting" and how you decide on the shapes of the pieces. Are the shapes repeating? Are they cut freehand, or do you use a pattern?

Carole,

I use the term "diagonal cut" to mean that the pieces are laid out in a grid at 45 degrees to the sides of the rectangle.

I use a computer program to print the grid, sized to the dimensions of the puzzle and the number of pieces required. This ensures that the size of the pieces is consistent and helps me to keep my bearings as I turn the board around on the scroll saw table. I improvise on the cuts between the grid points. More often than not, I cut the "double loop" connectors that I have used here, because I have found that this type of connector provides the tightest interlocking. But sometimes I will use "single loop" or heart connectors. I will on occasion use more than one type of connector in a puzzle if I want to make it easier.

There are 6 distinct 4-sided shapes (the internal pieces) and 4 distinct 3-sided shapes (the edge pieces).

Ron