ABSTRACT
Hexagonal sticks are easily made by fi rst ripping planed boards into sticks of rhombic cross-section with the saw tilted 30 degrees and then making two more cuts. All of the holes are spaced equally apart, are at the same 70½-degree angle to the axis of the stick, and are arranged in helical progression. Thus, a simple drilling set-up can be used that positions the stick using the previously drilled hole, with the stick being rotated 120 degrees in the same direction each time. The spacing of the holes can be determined by trial and error to achieve a snug fi t. If they are too close together, the puzzle cannot be assembled. Spacing them far-
ther apart simply makes a more open arrangement. This lattice structure repeats itself indefi nitely in all directions, so one can make larger assemblies with more and longer sticks and dowels. From among the infi nite variety of such constructions, one example is shown in Figure 144a. It is basically two clusters joined together along their threefold axes. Another fascinating feature of this construction is that subunits are also possible using fewer and shorter sticks and dowels. From among the many possibilities, one example is shown in Figure 144b. It uses four sticks and four dowels, and each stick has three holes. As an assembly puzzle it would be rather too easy if one is given the illustration of the solution. However, this is easily corrected by joining one stick-dowel pair to make an elbow piece and another pair to make a cross piece. This construction might also be used to make a novel collapsible stand for a tabletop.
