Cryptex Drawings for Geocaching Community

July 19, 2012

Quick question, when placing the 1" coupling inside of the 1 1/4" coupling I have a godd deal of play in it, I have not cut the slot in the 1" yet though. once I cut the slot will I be able to expand the inner ring a bit in order to eliminate the play between the two parts?

And BTW, thanks for such detailed plans, while building it and showing off the progress to some of my friends I think I may have enrolled some new cachers.

2.7k · July 19, 2012

Quick question, when placing the 1" coupling inside of the 1 1/4" coupling I have a godd deal of play in it, I have not cut the slot in the 1" yet though. once I cut the slot will I be able to expand the inner ring a bit in order to eliminate the play between the two parts?

And BTW, thanks for such detailed plans, while building it and showing off the progress to some of my friends I think I may have enrolled some new cachers.

I haven't built one of these, yet. I have found a few and examined their construction. What I have seen a couple people do is to use some sticky backed foam weather stripping.

July 19, 2012

After you cut the 1" ring you will need to use a piece of wood cut into a wedge to press into the gap to open the ring up, to make it tight inside the outer ring. Leave the wedge in to hold it while the glue dries.

July 20, 2012

I placed the wedge in there and the inner ring glued to the outer ring without any gaps, however when I slide the assembled ring over the outer tube I have a little less than 1/8" of play between the tube and the ring combo

July 22, 2012

I recently finished one using Soxter's plans and listed it this week.

I used a table saw style tile cutter for the rings and a dremel tool for the slot etc.

Thanks for the great plans.

8.3k · July 22, 2012

I recently finished one using Soxter's plans and listed it this week.

I used a table saw style tile cutter for the rings and a dremel tool for the slot etc.

Thanks for the great plans.

How did you get the labeling on the rings?

1.7k · July 22, 2012

I recently finished one using Soxter's plans and listed it this week.

I used a table saw style tile cutter for the rings and a dremel tool for the slot etc.

Thanks for the great plans.

How did you get the labeling on the rings?

They look like stickers.

If you look at the J & S on the fifth ring you can see the top of the S is overlapping the bottom of the J.

Edited July 22, 2012 by Vater_Araignee

July 24, 2012

Has anyone looked into using a 3D printer for the difficult to machine parts?

I don't have personal experience with them, but I've read about ones like the makerbot or reprap. You may even be able to get access to one at a member based workshop like makerworks in Ann Arbor, MI

Just a thought. If someone developed the 3D models and shared them, others could "print" the parts on their own machines.

1.7k · July 24, 2012

Has anyone looked into using a 3D printer for the difficult to machine parts?

I don't have personal experience with them, but I've read about ones like the makerbot or reprap. You may even be able to get access to one at a member based workshop like makerworks in Ann Arbor, MI

Just a thought. If someone developed the 3D models and shared them, others could "print" the parts on their own machines.

OT question.

Is the makerbot a resin or powder printer?

7.7k · July 24, 2012

OT question.
Is the makerbot a resin or powder printer?

The makerbot (and all affordable 3D printers I've come across) are molten polymer deposit types. A plastic filament is heated up, molten, and extruded on a surface layer by layer.

I'm not sure if it is precise enough for highly detailed moving parts.

1.7k · July 24, 2012

OT question.
Is the makerbot a resin or powder printer?

The makerbot (and all affordable 3D printers I've come across) are molten polymer deposit types. A plastic filament is heated up, molten, and extruded on a surface layer by layer.

I'm not sure if it is precise enough for highly detailed moving parts.

It isn't.

The newer powder machines are great for making working prototypes.

Glad to know about Maker Works tho. Having access to CNC mill and lathe means aluminum cryptex.

The shears and TIG also means I can make the equivalent of ammo boxes.

July 30, 2012

How did you get the labeling on the rings?

I used transparent labels in a Brother P-touch label maker.

The model I have allows printing sideways, so I did it in one long strip.

I gave them a couple of coats of clear satin finish.

July 30, 2012

There is a design on thingiverse:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4414

Has anyone looked into using a 3D printer for the difficult to machine parts?

I don't have personal experience with them, but I've read about ones like the makerbot or reprap. You may even be able to get access to one at a member based workshop like makerworks in Ann Arbor, MI

Just a thought. If someone developed the 3D models and shared them, others could "print" the parts on their own machines.

August 2, 2012

The thingverse Cryptex looks pretty good!

There were two sets of pictures of completed or semi-completed devices, and i thought the quality looked pretty good.

August 17, 2012

Thanks for starting this topic, it gave me the information to build one too. Here are some pics, hope you like it.

Edited August 17, 2012 by jvhooren

December 7, 2012

I'm working on building one matching the drawings from the OP now. I've had trouble getting the rings right though, no matter how I cut them I can't seem to get them to the right size and cut perfectly square. I'm going to try stopping by a local machine shop and see what they would charge to cut the rings for me.

When buying the parts, I accidentally bought a piece of 3/4" cpvc, instead of sch 40pvc. Since I wanted to stick with exactly what the drawings listed for this first attempt, I went back and grabbed the right piece. I wonder though if using cpvc for the inner part of the lock would work, instead of using 3/4" pvc and sanding it down to fit in the 1"? The CPVC fits inside the pvc, with just a bit of a gap in between. I'm not sure if the gap would be too wide, so that it messes with the locking mechanism. I think once this cryptex is finished, I'll go back and re-make the inner portion of the lock, with the screws sticking up, and see if it works properly with the rest of this.

For those who have built larger versions of this cryptex, I expect it took some time to find all of the right size components for the larger version. Would you mind sharing the list of components you found worked together? I'd like to build one big enough for trackables and maybe small swag items.

December 17, 2012

I wanted to build one of these ever since I saw a YouTube video. Tried making the cryptex but when I assembled it the dials wouldn't spin:( They spin fine when key is pulled out but when fully together they don't spin. Any suggestions?

15.4k · December 17, 2012

I wanted to build one of these ever since I saw a YouTube video. Tried making the cryptex but when I assembled it the dials wouldn't spin:( They spin fine when key is pulled out but when fully together they don't spin. Any suggestions?

Not without examining your cryptex to see what is binding or blocking the dials. I recommend that you examine it and experiment a bit to figure that out yourself.

December 18, 2012

I wanted to build one of these ever since I saw a YouTube video. Tried making the cryptex but when I assembled it the dials wouldn't spin:( They spin fine when key is pulled out but when fully together they don't spin. Any suggestions?
Not without examining your cryptex to see what is binding or blocking the dials. I recommend that you examine it and experiment a bit to figure that out yourself.

I only mention what might seem obvious in that I ran into the same thing a couple of weeks back just before I did my final gluing (oh, how painful that would have been) -- Make sure you didn't slip one or more of your rings on backwards. I'd built and tested everything, but pulled off the rings to do some hand-painting. I was careful to number them so I could put them back on in the correct order, but I inverted every one of the rings when I did so. I only noticed when I tried to turn the rings with the key in. Off to repaint everything!

I hope yours is that simple.

December 19, 2012

I wanted to build one of these ever since I saw a YouTube video. Tried making the cryptex but when I assembled it the dials wouldn't spin:( They spin fine when key is pulled out but when fully together they don't spin. Any suggestions?
Not without examining your cryptex to see what is binding or blocking the dials. I recommend that you examine it and experiment a bit to figure that out yourself.

I only mention what might seem obvious in that I ran into the same thing a couple of weeks back just before I did my final gluing (oh, how painful that would have been) -- Make sure you didn't slip one or more of your rings on backwards. I'd built and tested everything, but pulled off the rings to do some hand-painting. I was careful to number them so I could put them back on in the correct order, but I inverted every one of the rings when I did so. I only noticed when I tried to turn the rings with the key in. Off to repaint everything!

I hope yours is that simple.

It was a simple fix. I didn't measure correctly on my first build. Made the inner rings the same size as the outer rings so the dials could not turn. re-cut rings and works fine:)Now to build a few more so I can get it looking nice as well

February 13, 2013

Heres mine (and another one for my multicache that a friend printed on his 3D printer...) Thanks for the plans!

Edited February 13, 2013 by vballhjs

May 22, 2013

Hello guys! I'm interested in ordering one cryptex made according to my wishes, If anyone is interested pls PM me with your offer, thanks. ) I'm not a spam bot if what.

February 28, 2015

so the cryptex made accoring to plans require a lot of sanding and is very narrow i have improved cryptex building so you dont have to sand anywhere near as much

Buy a carlon e945g 1 1/4 in pvc expansion fitting. this is two tubes one fitting inside the other. you can use this to make the inner tube and outer tube of the container.

the unit is 1.971in wide so it fits inside a 2" schedule40pipe . so the rings are made of 1/4" pieces of 2" pipe to make the inner ring and a1/2" section of a 2" coupling. piece to make the outer ring. when all is fitted together the inner tube is 1 1/4" wide the cryptex assembled is 3" wide and 10 inches long. when i can figure out how to post pics. i will put some up

Edited February 28, 2015 by Kipk9

February 28, 2015

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

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

see my recent posts on the improved cryptex it requires little sanding and fits perfect into ammo cans. final is 3"x 10.5 ". with a1 1/4 " internal width

13.8k · February 28, 2015

Heres mine (and another one for my multicache that a friend printed on his 3D printer...) Thanks for the plans!

Those look nice n sturdy, lasting awhile. Cool.

22.1k · March 1, 2015

I'm moving this thread to the Design forum.

May 15, 2015

Loved this design! We had someone use it to make the final stage of a multi for us and it turned out awesome!! Wish I could post a picture but I can't figure out how.

It was the best cache I have ever placed! But... Mother Nature was mean last week and the place we put it is completely gone (it was near the edge of a cliff next to a creek). I am beyond sad and now I have to attempt to make this again myself. The person who made it for us said he would never do it again. Wish me luck! I have never attempted anything like this before!

May 15, 2015

Would anyone custom make one to sell me by chance? Just wondering what you would charge for one...

May 15, 2015

How can I add a picture? LOL!

6.2k · May 15, 2015

How can I add a picture? LOL!

Use a site like TinyPic, to create a linked image.

Then click on the above image icon and use the link provided by TinyPic... or other similar site (ImageShack, etc.).

May 17, 2015

February 6, 2016

Was hoping to make one of these but I'm having a nightmare finding four pipes that fit each other - I wondered if any of the UK people have mendations for UK pipe sizes?

Thanks.

May 14, 2017

Many thanks to Soxter & Billini for the outstanding plans for the PVC Cryptex. It took me longer to make than expected, as is usually the case, but I am very pleased with the finished product. I learned a few things along the way that will help me make additional ones hopefully faster. Joe Wessels

July 3, 2017

Finally completed and published my PVC Cryptex, just in time for Canada 150 weekend. Had to order some couplings from Amco Plumbing as the big box stores don't carry them. Used plastic forks (versus clamps) to force the smaller rings against the outer rings during drying. Had to use some PVC glue inside some rings which (once dry and hard) made them more snug against the core. Managed to find the craft letters at Michael's, which happened to be sized perfectly to manually fit all 26 letters per ring. A little bit of clear nail polish and clear spray paint and it was all done. GC76GDN

May 12, 2020

Unfortunately most of the photo links are broken. I still had the original drawings archived so here are the images (put on Geocaching servers). I tried uploading them in order but the forum server may have its own agenda.

Edited May 12, 2020 by Papa EGTH

January 28, 2021

Thanks Papa EGTH. I do not have the website hosting anymore...

3.3k · January 28, 2021

On 7/23/2012 at 9:05 PM, jjmcwill said:

Has anyone looked into using a 3D printer for the difficult to machine parts?

I don't have personal experience with them, but I've read about ones like the makerbot or reprap. You may even be able to get access to one at a member based workshop like makerworks in Ann Arbor, MI

Just a thought. If someone developed the 3D models and shared them, others could "print" the parts on their own machines.

Most of the mid-grade or "consumer" printers leave a rough texture on the "printed" pieces. You needa higher end unit to get acceptable results(borrow or rent,for example at a makrspace as suggested).

Edited January 28, 2021 by wmpastor

March 5, 2021

For some reason, I can not see the pictures when I click on them. If there is another way I could view the pictures, it'd be much appreciated.

Thank you!

3.3k · May 18, 2021

Re: 3D printing. The key is the specific model machine. Some use smaller filament and are therefore more precise: you need to try different options and see which have sufficient quality results.

September 2, 2023

I made a few of these Cryptexes a few years ago. I can no longer down load the plans. I am a premium member. Are the plans no longer available? Or am I doing something wrong? I want to build another one.

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