How to Sand and Wax My 3D Wooden Puzzle?

Last time, we finished talking about what tools you need to prepare before assembling a 3D Wooden Puzzle. So in this blog, I will talk about how these tools are used.

Are there many people who toiled through a 3D wooden puzzle only to find it didn't work? That's because the sanding and waxing process wasn't done properly. So what should be done? Let me tell you.

First of all, you need to find the parts responsible for mechanical transmission in the 3D puzzle. Most of them are various gears, and there are also a small number of other shapes. One trick is to read the instructions carefully before assembling. Usually, the parts that need to be waxed on the instructions are the transmission structure.

When removing the parts, please handle them with utmost care to avoid damaging them. Although these components are relatively sturdy, remember that they are made of wood. Unlike steel, they require more cautious handling.

After removing the parts, you will find that each part has more or less some link points to connect it with the board. At this time, you need to use sandpaper or a file to polish off these link points to make the parts smooth.

If possible, you can prepare a square-end file and a round-end file. If you want to keep things simple, you can roll the sandpaper into a cylinder to sand the gear grooves. ROKR gears are usually larger, which means sanding and waxing is easier.

Now that the parts are all sanded, it's time to wax.

Many people want to ask: what kind of wax should I choose? It's actually quite simple - use whatever you have. For example, you may have extra birthday candles on hand from birthdays, white candles, yellow lube, etc. It will be all right. When you go back to the first image on this blog, you can see these different kinds of wax in the upper right corner of the image.

It's helpful to have a small soft paint brush handy. If not, you can also use toothpicks to spread the wax evenly.

Cut your wax into a convenient size, and the smaller pieces can be melted into a larger piece for preservation. Apply the wax block directly to the occlusal parts of the gears and transmission parts. Remember to apply it properly. Then use a soft brush or toothpick to remove excess wax. Another method is to melt the wax in a small container, then use a brush dipped in the wax to apply it to the part. The advantage of this method is that the wax liquid covers evenly and penetrates the part. The disadvantage is that it is more troublesome and requires a patient person.

Finally, after all the parts are processed, it's time to put them together. Now you will have a different 3D puzzle assembly experience. Go and try it!