Cryptex Drawings for Geocaching Community

[Soxter & Billini]

This is my first post and my wife and I have been geocaching since Christmas. We love caching and enjoy all the information available online. The one thing I appreciate is that so much of this info is free and available to members.

 

I would like to do my part and give back to the community. Our first set of caches will be puzzle caches. I first saw online here some members designs of Cryptex's with many pictures and drawings but I did have to bounce around alot trying to get the concept. The one thing I found lacking were good quality drawings so I decided to put some of my skills to work and reverse engineered a Cryptex of my own.

 

I used parts available at the local Home Depot but they could be picked up at any hardware store carrying plumbing supplies. Enjoy and share, that's what there here for.

 

This is my first finished product and will be the final stage of my cache.

 

The images are lower resolution but click the hyperlinks to download a high quality .pdf file that you can print for a drawing set.

 

Drawing 1 of 9 Exploded View

 

Drawing 2 of 9 Assembled View

 

Drawing 3 of 9 Material List

 

Drawing 4 of 9 Internal Key Tube

 

Drawing 5 of 9 Inner Key Assembly

 

Drawing 6 of 9 Base Tube

 

Drawing 7 of 9 Combination Ring

 

Drawing 8 of 9 Split & Keeper Ring

 

Drawing 9 of 9 Final Assembly

 

I will try to answer questions the best I can if you have any but I work during the day and cannot always reply quickly.

 

Enjoy

Soxter & Billini

[Clan Riffster]

Amazing! If you've no objections, I'm going to try using your plans to build a 6 stage version.

[+WRITE SHOP ROBERT]

That's awesome of you to share!!

[+Chrysalides]

Yes, thank you very much!

[4wheelin_fool]

Cool!

 

You must be a mechanical engineer/designer.

[+Walts Hunting]

Very nice. Any chance of there being somewhere this can be downloaded in a PDF format? Or maybe the next time I go to visit my siter in Aldergrove I can come see yours. What cache is it part of.

[+SubyJeff]

Very nice. Any chance of there being somewhere this can be downloaded in a PDF format? Or maybe the next time I go to visit my siter in Aldergrove I can come see yours. What cache is it part of.

look above each image. there is a link to the PDF file for each image

 

there are 9 parts. i edited my post and listed them below in his quote. right click > save as for each file

 

Drawing 1 of 9 Exploded View

Drawing 2 of 9 Assembled View

Drawing 3 of 9 Material List

Drawing 4 of 9 Internal Key Tube

Drawing 5 of 9 Inner Key Assembly

Drawing 6 of 9 Base Tube

Drawing 7 of 9 Combination Ring

Drawing 8 of 9 Split & Keeper Ring

Drawing 9 of 9 Final Assembly

Edited February 26, 2010 by SubyJeff

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Google "cryptex" and you find all sorts of plans for building them... but yours is by far the best I have seen!

 

We have a group of cachers who love puzzles and such, and I've thought about building one. The clear images and detailed instructions in your post are just the kind of support I needed... I will try this.

 

For a first forum post I can see that Soxter and Bellini are an interesting and welcome part of our geo-community.

 

Thank you for a great contribution!

[+bflentje]

Thank you thank you. I have the materials to build one that is 12" in diameter and your plans no doubt got me motivated to finish the project. I am sure mine will not be as fine as yours but I certainly got a couple of more tips I hadn't thought of before.

[knowschad]

Fabulous job... and a LOT of work! Thanks for sharing with us all!

[+WatchDog2020]

Very well done. As someone who struggled through making one, I can fully appreciate the time and effort this took.

[+ArtieD]

Very nicely done. I just made one and I'd be hard pressed to make as good of instructions.

[+Walts Hunting]

Woops missed that. Thought they were just labels. Should have noticed the underline which indicated a URL.

 

thanks again.

[CacheNCarryMA]

Awesome!

 

I hope cachers use this in a way that doesn't get blowed up by an over zealous bomb squad. The "Exploded View" title on the first diagram could be a self-fulfilling prophesy.

[+Castle Mischief]

That is some sweet work. Thanks for sharing.

[Soxter & Billini]

Amazing! If you've no objections, I'm going to try using your plans to build a 6 stage version.

 

None what so ever. I hope these drwings inspire more builds. I thinks once people can grasp the design concept and sequence of the build that possibilities become limited to your imagination.

 

Cool!

You must be a mechanical engineer/designer.

 

I'm a journeyman sheet metal worker by trade and an amature machinist. My work has me designing in AutoCAD 3D most days so I'm gald I could give back to the community.

 

Very nice. Any chance of there being somewhere this can be downloaded in a PDF format? Or maybe the next time I go to visit my siter in Aldergrove I can come see yours. What cache is it part of.

 

Thanks SubyJeff for answering the first part of this question and to answer the second part, my cache hasn't been posted yet but hoping for next weekend. It will be around my home town of Maple Ridgeand I think everything seeems to be ready.

 

Thanks to everyone else for all your kind words.

Soxter

[+The Weasel]

This is AWESOME!!!!

 

Hmm, any chance of making one w/o the letters affixed yet and selling one to somebody who is tool illiterate? Of couse I would pay for time and materials!!

 

e-mail me at weaselts1@msn.com if your interested.

 

THANKS!!

 

The Weasel

[+HawkLawless1]

Very Cool!!! I've downloaded plans before, but never came across any this detailed or well thought out. Even I may be able to follow these.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

HL

[+ChileHead]

Very cool. Nice job on the instructions.

[+9Key]

Very nice plans! I suck at building things like that tough.

I'd gladly pay for one if someone is game.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

A bit pricey for a geocache but you can buy a really nice one for ~$200.

 

[+Casting Crowns]

You, sir, have provided a very gracious gift to geocachers everywhere! I'm an electrical contractor so I have plenty of material to work with....this will keep me busy. Thank you so much!

[+Mom-n-Andy]

That is incredible! I think I'm gonna make one!

[Soxter & Billini]

This is AWESOME!!!!

 

Hmm, any chance of making one w/o the letters affixed yet and selling one to somebody who is tool illiterate? Of couse I would pay for time and materials!!

 

 

Thanks Weasel I will think about it. I might put some kits togeather that all you have to do is glue it up and paint to your liking. I will let you know....

 

HawkLawless1, ChileHead, 9Key, Casting Crowns, Mom-n-Andy... Thanks for the kind words.

[+Mom-n-Andy]

Questions -

 

How do you get the cuts so nice and square in the PVC? I've used both a PVC tubing cutter and a miter box saw on PVC pipe for dog agility equipment but have trouble getting the cuts as accurate and clean as yours.

 

How did you cut the slot shown on drawing 6 of 9?

 

What length are the stainless steel machine screws?

 

What method did you use to remove material from areas of the PVC?

 

If you do make kits, I would be especially interested in a kit of the "hard to make" parts, i.e. the parts that require precision cutting.

Edited February 27, 2010 by Mom-n-Andy

[+Mom-n-Andy]

A bit pricey for a geocache but you can buy a really nice one for ~$200.

 

 

LOL. In the run up to the release of the Davinci Code movie I signed up for online puzzles which I played faithfully for weeks. The winners of the final puzzle were to get their own cryptexes similar to the one pictured. I figured I was a shoe in! On the day of the final puzzle there were so many players that the server overloaded and I couldn't even log on. Oh well, I can make my own now!

[+Klondike Mike]

I have seen a smaller one for ~ $45

mini crypex

[AZcachemeister]

Looks like it will end up as a micro...

 

Adapt into an ammo can (full-size container) and I'm sold!

[+GeoTrailGuy]

How do you get the cuts so nice and square in the PVC? I've used both a PVC tubing cutter and a miter box saw on PVC pipe for dog agility equipment but have trouble getting the cuts as accurate and clean as yours.

 

I've not made one of these before (yet) but have had no problem using a powered mitre saw to get nice clean 90 degree cuts.

[+jackrock]

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing. Wish I had the tools and ability to put one of these together.

[Soxter & Billini]

Questions -

 

How do you get the cuts so nice and square in the PVC? I've used both a PVC tubing cutter and a miter box saw on PVC pipe for dog agility equipment but have trouble getting the cuts as accurate and clean as yours.

 

How did you cut the slot shown on drawing 6 of 9?

 

What length are the stainless steel machine screws?

 

What method did you use to remove material from areas of the PVC?

 

If you do make kits, I would be especially interested in a kit of the "hard to make" parts, i.e. the parts that require precision cutting.

 

Hi Mom-n-Andy

 

When I built my Cryptex I used a lathe and milling machine for most of my parts. I can appreciate that most members don't want to spend that kind of money on tooling so I can make suggestions on how to prepare parts for their builds.

 

The home hobbyist should become familiar with a Dremel Tool. It has many uses and gives the operator fine control over what they working on. There are many styles and options available. Check your local hardware supplier for different model and accessories available.

 

To answer the second part of your first question, I agree with GeoTrailGuy that an electric mitre saw would cut the parts quite true and square. Hand held mitre boxes allow for too much slop in blade movement. When you cut smaller couplers in a mitre saw I would slide them over longer lengths of schedule pipe. The stopper at the center of the coupler can be ground down easily again with a Dremel tool.

 

The slot I cut in the base tube in drawing 6 of 9 was done with my milling machine but I could have easily done it by laying out the slot pattern, drilling a hole at each end of the slot, and then use a Dremel with a cutting disk to cut the straight lines between the holes.

 

In drawing 4 of 9 I identified the machine screws as being 8-32 x 3/8 but I forgot to do this on the material list. Thanks for the heads up! I have already made the changes and updated the forum info.

 

There are a variety of burrs and grinding disks that can be used to remove PVC from parts that fit into Dremel tools. If you’re a serious hobbyist and like making all kinds of things, an economical lathe mill combo like this could will have you spending too much time machining and not enough time geocaching...

 

Lathe Drill Combo The perfect Cryptex Maker

[+Bullygoat29]

Buying parts today I found the the 1 1/4" slip couplings are way to sloppy on the 1" outer pipe. I ended up returning the 1 1/2" for 1" to get a better fit on the outer pipe. What are your thoughts on this?

[+Bullygoat29]

Looks like it will end up as a micro...

 

Adapt into an ammo can (full-size container) and I'm sold!

 

 

You could use the cryptex as a stage in a multi that gives the final coordinates to your ammo can.

[+Turtle_Sask]

This is the altiimate geocache!!! I'm not good at doing this stuff myself so when I go home in the summer me and my dad are going to make one!!!!

[+Chrysalides]

Never mind, bullygoat29 beat me to it by an hour. Note to self : read through the thread first.

Edited February 28, 2010 by Chrysalides

[+Mom-n-Andy]

If you’re a serious hobbyist and like making all kinds of things, an economical lathe mill combo like this could will have you spending too much time machining and not enough time geocaching...

 

Lathe Drill Combo The perfect Cryptex Maker

 

$1120 (on sale!) + stand + accessories for one or two cryptexes seems a bit much! I do have a dremel and will experiment with that. The good thing is that PVC is cheap so one can afford to make a lot of mistakes.

[Soxter & Billini]

Buying parts today I found the the 1 1/4" slip couplings are way to sloppy on the 1" outer pipe. I ended up returning the 1 1/2" for 1" to get a better fit on the outer pipe. What are your thoughts on this?

 

Your question is a little vague...What are you referring to as the outer pipe? Just reference parts on my material list and so I can help answer your questions. If you find plumbing parts, locally, that works for you, than go for it. My drawings can be used as reference only to understand the mechanisms layout.

[Soxter & Billini]

If you’re a serious hobbyist and like making all kinds of things, an economical lathe mill combo like this could will have you spending too much time machining and not enough time geocaching...

 

Lathe Drill Combo The perfect Cryptex Maker

 

$1120 (on sale!) + stand + accessories for one or two cryptexes seems a bit much! I do have a dremel and will experiment with that. The good thing is that PVC is cheap so one can afford to make a lot of mistakes.

 

I agree and don't think anyone needs to spend that kind of money. If you have a dremel check out the accessories available for grinding and cutting. Not sure if you have a electric mitre saw but a new one can be had in many places for $100.

[+Bullygoat29]

Your question is a little vague...What are you referring to as the outer pipe? Just reference parts on my material list and so I can help answer your questions. If you find plumbing parts, locally, that works for you, than go for it. My drawings can be used as reference only to understand the mechanisms layout.

 

 

Parts 8 and 9. I ended up buying 1" and 1 1/4" slip couplings. Buying the sizes you listed gives an 1/8" gap all the way around when the rings are placed on the outer tube.

 

 

Edit: I had an epiphany and realized I was overthinking a part of the build.

Edited March 1, 2010 by bullygoat29

[Soxter & Billini]

Your question is a little vague...What are you referring to as the outer pipe? Just reference parts on my material list and so I can help answer your questions. If you find plumbing parts, locally, that works for you, than go for it. My drawings can be used as reference only to understand the mechanisms layout.

 

 

Parts 8 and 9. I ended up buying 1" and 1 1/4" slip couplings. Buying the sizes you listed gives an 1/8" gap all the way around when the rings are placed on the outer tube.

 

 

Edit: I had an epiphany and realized I was overthinking a part of the build.

 

Hi Bullygoat29,

 

Let me start by thanking you for giving my drawings a good review. It always helps if someone can give your work a good looking over. My original cryptex design used 1-1/2 and 1-1/4 couplers but when I started building mine I switched the sizes smaller to conserve space.

 

You picked up on that typo and I appreciate it. I have made the changes to the forum drawings. I did use 1-1/4” and 1” couplers for my build. The dimensions represented the correct size but I used the wrong wording in the material list and the wording on the combination ring drawing. Both have been changed and I hope it didn’t cause too much confusion. Thanks again.

 

I started a detail earlier for you but had to put things on hold for the Hockey Game so I will post it anyways as an addition to my drawings. I can generate details from the main 3D model if anyone needs extra info. Drop me a note here and give me a few hours and I will try to get some info online for you.

 

Cheers Soxter

 

[+power69]

Awesome!

 

I hope cachers use this in a way that doesn't get blowed up by an over zealous bomb squad. The "Exploded View" title on the first diagram could be a self-fulfilling prophesy.

funny would be if combination was "NOTABOMB"

[+Bullygoat29]

Hi Bullygoat29,

 

Let me start by thanking you for giving my drawings a good review. It always helps if someone can give your work a good looking over. My original cryptex design used 1-1/2 and 1-1/4 couplers but when I started building mine I switched the sizes smaller to conserve space.

 

You picked up on that typo and I appreciate it. I have made the changes to the forum drawings. I did use 1-1/4" and 1" couplers for my build. The dimensions represented the correct size but I used the wrong wording in the material list and the wording on the combination ring drawing. Both have been changed and I hope it didn't cause too much confusion. Thanks again.

 

I started a detail earlier for you but had to put things on hold for the Hockey Game so I will post it anyways as an addition to my drawings. I can generate details from the main 3D model if anyone needs extra info. Drop me a note here and give me a few hours and I will try to get some info online for you.

 

Cheers Soxter

 

 

 

Thanks for the picture of the nut configuration. I realized after I had wrote about the clearance that they were not in the way and was able to finish it last night. I just have to prep the pipes for painting and I will post up pictures when I'm done.

 

 

As a side note. I picked up a 9" band saw from Lowes for $114. It works perfect for jobs like this.

[Soxter & Billini]

Hi Bullygoat29,

 

Let me start by thanking you for giving my drawings a good review. It always helps if someone can give your work a good looking over. My original cryptex design used 1-1/2 and 1-1/4 couplers but when I started building mine I switched the sizes smaller to conserve space.

 

You picked up on that typo and I appreciate it. I have made the changes to the forum drawings. I did use 1-1/4" and 1" couplers for my build. The dimensions represented the correct size but I used the wrong wording in the material list and the wording on the combination ring drawing. Both have been changed and I hope it didn't cause too much confusion. Thanks again.

 

I started a detail earlier for you but had to put things on hold for the Hockey Game so I will post it anyways as an addition to my drawings. I can generate details from the main 3D model if anyone needs extra info. Drop me a note here and give me a few hours and I will try to get some info online for you.

 

Cheers Soxter

 

 

 

Thanks for the picture of the nut configuration. I realized after I had wrote about the clearance that they were not in the way and was able to finish it last night. I just have to prep the pipes for painting and I will post up pictures when I'm done.

 

 

As a side note. I picked up a 9" band saw from Lowes for $114. It works perfect for jobs like this.

 

Excellent Bullygoat!

 

I look forward to seeing some projects that people have created. Could you do me a favour and post a pic here on this link so other members can see your work It might help them decide if they are thinking about building one.

 

Cheers

Soxter

[Soxter & Billini]

Very nice. Any chance of there being somewhere this can be downloaded in a PDF format? Or maybe the next time I go to visit my siter in Aldergrove I can come see yours. What cache is it part of.

 

Hey Walts,

 

My first of five caches came out this weekend that are related to the Cryptex. It is the only one visible for now and the rest will be over the next week or so.

 

Check them out if your in the area but solve the easy puzzles first...Maple Ridge Cryptex Caper (Stage 1)

[+kraushad]

As a wood craftsmen in my spare time (where exact doesn't exist compared to a machinist's version of exact), and as someone who enjoys making up plans before a project, I am really impressed by your creativity and dedication to detail in your plans as well as your build.

 

I think I will recognize my own limitations here and wait for the kit you mentioned to come out!

 

Great job, and thanks for sharing.

[Soxter & Billini]

As a wood craftsmen in my spare time (where exact doesn't exist compared to a machinist's version of exact), and as someone who enjoys making up plans before a project, I am really impressed by your creativity and dedication to detail in your plans as well as your build.

 

I think I will recognize my own limitations here and wait for the kit you mentioned to come out!

 

Great job, and thanks for sharing.

 

Hi Dirk,

 

If you can read a tape measure or ruler and have some basic hand skills you should be able to build one of these PVC Cryptex's. Most of the sizing has been done by the manufacturer of the plumbing parts.All we do is a little cutting, a little glueing and alot of sanding.

 

I'm still thinking about the kits. Not sure if there is enough interest yet or if I want to make the commitment.

 

Cheers

Danny

[+Chrysalides]

I'm still thinking about the kits. Not sure if there is enough interest yet or if I want to make the commitment.

Quote a price that'll make it worth your trouble, and see how many orders there'll be.

 

You'll probably have an initial surge of interest, followed by orders trickling in slowly. So don't go all crazy with your inventory

[+IBcrashen]

 

I'm still thinking about the kits. Not sure if there is enough interest yet or if I want to make the commitment.

 

Cheers

Danny

me, me, me

[+SkipHerr]

Very very nice, thank you! If I lived a little closer I'd offer you a few beverages of your choice.

 

I do have one question though, because I'm a metal / wood guy here, and have zero experience with PVC.

 

How stable is PVC to thermal expansion/contraction? With the (nominal) OD dimensions of #10 and ID of #9 leaving 0.003" clearance, will there be a temperature outside the shop build environment when the rings become to tight to turn?

[+bittsen]

Very very nice, thank you! If I lived a little closer I'd offer you a few beverages of your choice.

 

I do have one question though, because I'm a metal / wood guy here, and have zero experience with PVC.

 

How stable is PVC to thermal expansion/contraction? With the (nominal) OD dimensions of #10 and ID of #9 leaving 0.003" clearance, will there be a temperature outside the shop build environment when the rings become to tight to turn?

You don't want .003 clearance with PVC. A build with .010 would be more realistic.

PVC has a tendence to bind really easy.

 

P.S. I've been working with non-plumbing PVC for the last 15 or so years.