I was watching a video the other day on vintage puzzles and stumbled across a simple wooden spool and steel nail version. The idea is simple. Insert one nail into the center hole and then the challenge is to balance the remaining 6 nails on the middle one. It seems ridiculous until you understand the solution. I really liked how balance and measurement are the key to solving this riddle and once you have it positioned, it hands a perilous strength to it. I reminded me quite a bit of life, it can have so much going on, seem impossible to organize and be overwhelming at times. Taking a moment to center everything gives clarity and focus and the result is perfect balance.

The stand itself is 3d printed resin and the nails are solid copper. The ends are dulled so you don’t have to worry about accidentally jabbing yourself. The base features a felt and rubber “foot” to prevent scratching table top surfaces and keep it from sliding around. I chose to go with copper nails as they add an interesting unique look to the piece as well as having a very interesting tone when they clink against each other.

The nails can either be stored in the outer orbiting holes found around the edge of the puzzle or if you’re daring it can be displayed in balance mode.(I favor this method as guests will undoubtedly knock it over and you can go “well now you gotta get it back together, figure it out!”

I’m offering this item in two forms, copper nails and rubber foot for the base are both included.

#1 completely painted by yours truly in a patinaed tarnished brass with 4 tiny red accents on the front. The paint is clear coated several times to add resilience and keep it looking great.

#2 raw resin form, this will be an unsanded/unpainted DIY version of the puzzle. You can choose to paint it how ever you would like.