The original pieces of the production are cut out of select, thick hard-wood. These pieces are then supported by and locked together with thin metal dies that are raised above the wood so that their sharp edges can stamp out complete puzzles in one motion, or operation. Essentially, this technique remains the only practical method for producing puzzles in large numbers.

The earliest puzzles were individually cut by hand with fret straws. An Englishman named John Spillsbury is credited with the invention of the jigsaw puzzle in 1760. Spillsbury applied hand-colored maps to thin sheets of mahogany, which he then cut along the various boundary lines. Spillsbury’s puzzles were very expensive and marketed and “dissected maps for the teaching of geography.”

The first die cut jigsaw puzzles of cardboard were produced in the united states during the early to mid 1800’s. The term “dissected puzzle” evolved to “jigsaw puzzles,” and puzzle making became a production business. Some of the early manufacturers listed par times for assembly of their puzzles, and some individuals gained notoriety for their speed of puzzle completion. During the depression years, puzzle clubs and contests flourished. Some famous American families including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Duponts are known to have collected and played puzzles intensely.

Other countries continued to make puzzles out of wood well into the late 19th century. In around 1914 plywood came into use; and for puzzle making, it is probably still the choice material of wood crafters who cut their own jigsaw puzzles with modern scroll saws.

Today there is one well-known company in Suffolk, England, that still produces custom made wooden jigsaw puzzles for worldwide markets by mail order. The customer provides a photograph or picture, and specifies the level of difficulty, which determines how the puzzle is to de cut. The puzzles are made with 4mm 3ply birch backing material.

If you own a scroll saw and employ just a few elementary techniques, you can produce your own custom-made jigsaw puzzles. Any picture photo, map, postcard, or poster can be pasted on wood and cut up into pieces to create a puzzle. The possibilities are endless. Making these puzzles requires very little skill or imagination, and zero artistic talent And, you can make them without much technical assistance. However, as popular as jigsaw puzzles are, they are only a small part of what you can make with your scroll saw.

Here are some free puzzle patterns for you to get going…

Free Scroll Saw Puzzle Patterns

More free scroll saw puzzle patterns

puzzle patterns for your scroll saw

Several new 3d style puzzle patterns for your scroll saw. Enjoy the free downloads.

Train Puzle pattern

Download Train Puzzle Pattern.

Camel scroll saw puzzle pattern

Download Camel scroll-saw puzzle pattern.

dinosaur 3d puzzle pattern

Download dinosaur 3d puzzle pattern.

Little Duck and Big Duck puzzle.

Download Big duck little duck 3d puzzle pattern.

Cute Elephant scroll-saw puzzle pattern

Download Cute Elephant 1.

Download Cute Elephant 2.

Heavy duty sawhorse construction plans.

Download the Sawhorse Plans.

Materials List:
• Three – 2″ x 6″ x 96″
• One – 48″ x 48″ x 1/2″
• Deck Screws – 2.5″ & 1″
• Exterior Wood Glue

Tangram Puzzle Plans

You can see how the plans for the box work:

Tangram Puzzle Box - Awesome Sliding Action! lol.

Click here to Download the free plans.

Things to make with your new tangram puzzle.

Cute Ducky Step Stool!

Click here to download the cute duck step stool plans

Also check out the custom step stool 2by6 made for a friend.

A great, simple picnic  table is the first step in throwing a family get-together, BBQ, pool party, or just hanging out with friends. Check out these FREE plans for a picnic table!

DOWNLOAD FREE PICNIC TABLE PLANS

Picnic Table Plans

Outdoor Cedar Planter

Free Outdoor Cedar Planter Plans

DOWNLOAD