The challenge is to work your way through the puzzle to find the barrel of oil. You will have to discover a range of tools and work out how to use them, to reach the final goal.
This is an original puzzle from the batch made for Matt Dawson to give at the IPP Puzzle Exchange - Washington DC, August 2012 Designed and made by Brian Young @ Mr Puzzle.
The photo is the actual puzzle selling. I have been through the full solve to check it and to ensure its working correctly. I have reprinted a card and solution from my original files to send with the puzzle.
The puzzle is made from Queensland Walnut and has fabricated brass and steel elements and magnets. Size of base is 48mm x 65mm x 40mm. The oil rig is 100mm tall.
Original story from our website:
You've inherited this oil well from Uncle Bubba who plugged it in a very tricky way back in the 1960's when oil was selling for under $3 a barrel. With oil now over $100 a barrel the challenge is to unplug the well. You'll know you've got the oil flowing again when you find the barrel of oil.
Can you pitch your wits against Uncle Bubba and work out how he plugged the well? You will have to discover a range of tools and work out how to use them, some are very well disguised, to reach the final goal. No physical force at all is required to open the drawer when its unlocked. If you find yourself forcing something you are doing something the puzzle was not designed to do.
General Information:
If you have any questions you can email me separately via our Mr Puzzle email address mrpuzzle@mrpuzzle.com.au
But please don’t email and ask to discontinue the auction. All auctions will run their duration. It’s the fairest course for everyone.
All prices in Australian Dollars (not US Dollars). We much prefer payment via Wise or other bank transfer. PayPal is also possible.
Invoice after the auction is closed. If you buy more than one item we’re happy to combine ship and quote based on weight.
Cost to ship this puzzle Standard: Australia 12.00 / NZ 21.00 / US/Canada/EU/Asia 31.00 / UK/Scandinavia 39.00 / Other countries please request a quote.
Cost to ship this puzzle Express: Australia 15.00 / NZ 42.00 / US/Canada/EU/Asia 48.00 / UK/Scandinavia 56.00 / Other countries please request a quote.
Import duties/tariffs are not included in the final price.
The import duty or tariff rate may be different for every country so please check the rate that applies to your own country.
It is usual practice that import duties or tariffs are paid by the buyer at the point of import or delivery in your own country.
USA is the exception. The USA government has mandated that the tariff be paid to them from Australia before we can send the parcel. The tariff percentage may be different depending on where the puzzle was made. For Mr Puzzle puzzles made here in Australia the rate is 10% + Admin fee. I will note the country of origin in the puzzle listing.