What makes a Mowens puzzle?
To put it simply, every one of my designs is a take-apart challenge. You start with a complete object, then slowly remove piece by piece until there’s nothing left. And every puzzle includes a reward or two as the cherry on top!
But on a deeper level, I think of my puzzles as little mechanical ecosystems. Every piece is packed with interesting features, and each of those features serve a role. They play together to create interactions between pieces - limiting range, forcing movement, etc. And while each of these interactions is relatively simple on its own, they all work together, overlapping and intertwining, to create a tangled web of mechanisms.
So your goal as the solver is to untangle that web! As you remove each piece you’ll find new possibilities unlocked - new movements available, new tools to use, and new pieces to remove.
My Process
All of my puzzles start with a single idea - a theme that can be as simple as “button” or “piano” or “heart”. With only that theme I begin modeling, searching for the right look. I never add any mechanisms until I’ve decided on the final design.
Why does this matter to you? As the solver it’s important to pay attention to anything that doesn’t fit the theme. Features that seems out of place always have a purpose - tabs, hooks, grooves, bumps, holes, gears, springs - these are all clues you can use to understand the mechanisms.
And because all my designs are fully 3D Printed, there’s no glue or screws holding things in place or hiding parts from view. I encourage you to take a close look at what’s going on, and understand every piece on your journey to find the prize!
For anyone interested in a deeper look at my design process, consider checking out my Patreon! There you can find write-ups on some of my favorite pieces and the difficulties that forged them, plus the occasional sneak peak at what I’m working on next.
All posts are completely free.