The Decoy

RELEASED: 5.27.2013 PRODUCED: 42 Copies DESIGNER: Stewart Coffin CRAFTSMAN: Eric Fuller MATERIAL: Cocobolo or Ebony, Spalted Wormy Holly or Canarywood, Sapele, Acrylic COMMENTS: I was browsing through AP-ART when my eye fell on Mr. Coffins design #187 family. I have not made a cool tray puzzle in a while, and this seemed like just the ticket. I also had a nice bunch of ebony and cocobolo that would be perfect for it!. About design #187, Stewart says: "The three puzzles in this category all have a 5x5 square two-sided tray. On the back side is a simple framed square for practice exercises. The front side has a Plexiglas cover with openings cut in it through which the puzzle pieces are inserted. Of these three, The Decoy (#187-A) is by far the most difficult and my favorite. It is the only one that requires a slightly loose tray or rounding of corners to solve." I've constructed this with a solid Sapele body, shouldered on the corners for strength. The acrylic top is precision cut on the laser and the bottom is a solid floating spalted wormy holly panel chosen for contrast against the dark ebony. The fit is precise, with rounded corners to enable the very tricky rotational solution.