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The UnaBox is a wooden puzzle box that opens only after you discover its concealed sequence: remove the locking peg, swing one section of the top away, then slide and swing the remaining section. The published plan uses 11 wooden pieces, a peg and a pivot screw. It was designed to look like a closed box with few visible clues.
What is the UnaBox?
Make: credits the project article to Claudio Bernardini and the design to architects Lorenzo Bini and Roberta Pezzulla. They drew inspiration from an Indian box whose opening system uses two pivoting lids. The project first appeared in MAKE Volume 20. Read the Make: project article.
The box is a useful small woodworking project if you want to build a functional mechanism rather than a simple hinged container. The peg, pivot, slot and accurately aligned holes all contribute to how the lid moves and locks.
Materials and tools
The original plan specifies a hardwood board measuring 27.5 × 57.5 × 1.5 cm, cut into 11 pieces. It also calls for a 3 × 20 mm wooden peg, a 4 × 60 mm screw, wood glue and natural wax. The original example was made from Italian olive wood; the article recommends choosing locally sourced wood rather than relying on hardwood with uncertain or potentially destructive origins. See the Make: Volume 20 plan PDF.
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Mystery Box - Onietoiy Wooden Puzzle Box, Prank Puzzles for Adults & Kids
- 【32-Step Mystery Box Challenge】 This isn’t a typical wooden puzzle—it’s a 32-step interlocking maze that challenges both kids (6+) and adults alike. Designed to hit the sweet spot between fun and frustration, it delivers a satisfying brain teaser experience that challenges logic, patience, and spatial reasoning. Perfect for family game nights or solo focus time, it turns screen-scrolling into productive “think time”—and the satisfying click of each move keeps you coming back for more.
- 【The Double-Surprise Gift】 Forget predictable gift bags. This mystery box transforms any present into an interactive adventure—slide your cash, gift card, or small jewelry inside, and let the recipient “earn” their reward through the puzzle. It’s a playful prank puzzle for adults and teens, delivering laughter, suspense, and genuine delight at birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, and other special occasions.
- 【Solid German Beech Wood】 Unlike cheap MDF imitations, this wooden puzzle box is crafted from solid German beech and hand-sanded to a smooth, splinter-free finish. The interlocking pieces are designed for a satisfying feel through repeated solves, making it a durable favorite for adults who enjoy wooden puzzles and mechanical challenges. Naturally beautiful and sturdy, it’s also a stylish conversation piece for your desk, shelf, or coffee table.
- 【Hidden Storage Compartment】 With a generous 7.8" × 3.9" × 4.3" interior, this wooden box doubles as a discreet money box for cash, coins, gift cards, notes, jewelry, and other small treasures. The mosaic-pattern lid adds vintage charm, so it looks right at home on a bookshelf, nightstand, or desk—not like an ordinary toy, but like a cool thing that happens to be a puzzle.
- 【Great Gift for Puzzle Lovers】 Looking for cool things that are actually fun to use? This brain teaser puzzle makes an unexpected gift for adults, teens, puzzle enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys a little mystery. Packed in a premium dark green gift box with elegant gold foil accents, it’s ready for birthdays, Christmas, stocking stuffers, graduation gifts, anniversaries, and other memorable occasions.
- Small handsaw or band saw
- Carpenter’s square and pencil
- Drill press or hand drill
- Clamps
- File
- Sanding block and assorted grits of sandpaper
- Wood glue and natural wax
- Specified peg and screw
Choose a cutting method
Small handsaw
The instructions explicitly allow a small handsaw. It is an option if you have no powered saw and are comfortable cutting the pieces carefully to the plan.
Band saw
A band saw is the other listed shop method. The plan does not provide comparative performance testing or require a particular brand or model.
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allboxesinoneplace Puzzle Box with Hidden Compartments, Secret Lock and Key
- HOW IT WORKS - This medium difficulty puzzle box requires five steps to be solved The average time to open the brain teaser puzzles is 15 minutes The first clue is given by the hinges – you will figure out at once that the cover is secured by a secret lock with key After a while you will discover the lock, but where is the key? It’s very well hidden, all you need to do is find it Did you find the key? The escape games is almost opened. P.S. TURN THE KEY CLOCKWISE, not counterclockwise
- HOW IT'S MADE - Everything is made using classic tools and a lot of soul, from solid recycled maple wood The wooden puzzle box are carefully crafted, carved and finished in our workshop in small batches The puzzle boxes are hand carved with Transylvanian traditional motifs, dating back to the time of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) The money puzzle box colour is given by our secret ingredient, a mix of natural oils and lacquers that we use to finish all wooden surfaces, which remain smooth to the touch
- THE STORY - One day a beautiful young woman, Ecaterina, whom my great-grandfather loved in secret, came to visit his workshop She asked him to make her a japanese puzzle box with a hidden compartment Constantin crafted a beautiful mind games, which he gave to the girl, and in the secret compartment of the wooden box he slipped a note that said, “This is where you can keep your dreams safe” And he signed it, “Your future boyfriend, Constantin, 23 January 1903” Ecaterina was my great-grandmother
- TIPS AND TRICKS - If you want to tell someone you like them and you lack the inspiration, you can do it without words Just take the five steps required to open the puzzle box for kids with secret safe, five small steps for mankind, five giant leaps for man 🙂 You can slip something inside (a flower, a poem, a letter) to give extra charm to your gift The puzzle box for adults can also be a vehicle to send a message to someone dear, all you need to do is write a note and put it inside
- STYLE - This treasure chest borrows design elements from industrial, steampunk and retro styles, and is manufactured in Transylvania Elegant and simple, the puzzle gift box will perfectly go with your ambient and it is appropriate for modern, classic, or luxurious homes At the same time, the puzzle holder stands out in any setting, and its eye-catching mystical vibe from days of old will bring extra uniqueness and mystery into your home
Outsource the cuts
If you do not want to cut the pieces yourself, the article also allows using a CAD/CAM service or carpenter. In each case, work from the dimensions in the PDF and check the pieces before assembly; the mechanism depends on accurate fitting and alignment.
Build the box
- Lay out and cut the pieces. Use the PDF’s dimensions to mark the 11 wooden pieces on the board, then cut them with a small handsaw or band saw, or have them cut by a service or carpenter.
- File and sand. Smooth the cut edges with a file, then sand the pieces. Keep mating surfaces and mechanism features true rather than rounding them over indiscriminately.
- Drill the mechanism features. Drill the pivot and locking-pin features with their alignment in mind. The screw forms the cover pivot, while the peg engages the locking feature; misplaced or misaligned holes can prevent the intended movement.
- Glue the body and lid sections. Assemble the separate body and lid sections as shown in the plan, using clamps while the glue sets. Keep glue out of the moving areas and slot.
- Fit and finish. Confirm that the peg and top sections move as intended, then finish the wood with natural wax as the plan specifies.
How to open the finished UnaBox
- Remove the locking peg.
- Swing the first part of the top away.
- With that section moved, slide the remaining top section back far enough to clear the box.
- Swing the remaining top section open.
The sequence matters: the rest of the top does not have enough clearance to slide back until the first section has swung away. The peg and pivot are working parts of the lock, not decorative additions.
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Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 4
Best Value
Navigation Enigma Secret Puzzle Box Money & Gift Card Holder IQ Escape Box
- This unique and beautiful puzzle box will challenge the recipient to navigate the way to open it and revel the secret compartments. There is a compartments that can be used to hide some small treasures, like jewelry, gift cards, money or other small valuables that teases the recipient to unlock the surprise within.
- Great gift for graduation, and any holiday or special occasion.
- Give cash, Gift cards, small jewelry like ring or a watch in a unique way using the Hidden Compartment and Piggy Bank slot for this challenging Brain Teaser Game.
- Made of high quality wood, finished with high quality.
- Measures 5.5" x 3.5" x 2.25". Solution available inside the retail box.
Rank #4
DC-BEAUTIFUL Impossible Puzzle Master Secret Opening Wooden Red Magic Box with Secret Drawer - Mysterious Gift Puzzle
- How to open: ❗Step 1: When receive the puzzle box, please place the box sideways on palm, then move the largest half board firstly.❗ Step 2: Turn down the upper side, and beat the shorter half board or the short side next to it. If it is not opened at the first try, please repeat the operation for more times. ❗Step 3: After the operation above, the middle board can be moved left or right, then put the small gift in the inner space, then lock the box with inverted order.
- Steps to open the puzzle box is printed on packaging, you can take it for reference. You can also watch the instruction video near the product image. Funny toy to kill your spare time and exercise brain thinking and hands-on ability. To make it challenging and fun, you can try to open it without tips. 💬If you need help to get it opened or locked, please contact us and we will provide with help ASAP.
- Wooden Puzzles are classic and popular Puzzle Game toys, can train and develop your logic & improve your IQ. Wooden Puzzles Box can only be opened if you know the trick otherwise nearly impossible to figure out the secret. When all the secrets are revealed and the box is opened, inside you will find a small compartment.
- Due to the puzzle design and unlocking-difficulty, recommended for adults and teens aged above 14 years. Water-based paint, touch smooth. A great gift for people who love brainteasers and trick puzzles.
- Measurement: 5.7 * 3 * 1.85 INCH (14.5 * 7.5 * 4.7cm), inner compartment 3.5 * 2.4 * 0.7 INCH (8.9 * 6 * 1.8cm). Color: red and nature.
Rank #3
BSIRI Jigsaw Safe Box- Secret Brain Teaser Wooden Puzzle Boxes with Hidden Compartments Ideal Mystery, Jewelry Box, 3D Puzzle Lock, Gift Card, and Money Puzzle
- Unlock the Mystery: Delve into the world of brain teasers with this captivating mystery box. Discover hidden compartments and unravel the secrets within. Secret small wooden boxes designs are for cards, cash and money puzzle box that come along with tricks to open proper giving as box puzzles for adults.
- Fun and Challenging: Enjoy hours of entertainment with this puzzle box that combines the thrill of a treasure chest and the mental stimulation of brain games. Perfect for adults seeking a unique and engaging challenge brain teaser puzzles for adults. and ideal for escape room puzzle box. hard puzzle box for adults
- Secure Your Stash: Safeguard your valuables or surprise someone with a cash gift using the lockable compartments of this puzzle box. Keep money, jewelry, or gift cards hidden and secure in this magic puzzle box. These money gift boxes offer excellent money storage solutions, leaving everyone wondering what's inside.
- Unique Gift: Made from high-quality wood, this puzzle box features intricate design and precise construction. It's perfect for men, boyfriends, dads, girlfriends, and anniversaries. Also great as a Japanese gift or money gift. A perfect surprise box for adults.
- Versatile and Unique: This puzzle gift box serves as a multifunctional item - a stylish jewelry box, a mind-bending brain teaser, and a conversation starter. Surprise your loved ones with this memorable and cool gift. It is a puzzle storage for desk decor.
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