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the-metalchemist β€” Criptex

Published: 2007-11-15 23:54:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 79102; Favourites: 2319; Downloads: 2550
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Description The theme for this project was 'Hidden Meaning.' We were instructed to construct something that had some deeper meaning that could be discovered through the artwork.

I decided on a criptex, a device that is designed to never be opened by anyone who doesn't know the right combination, for the purpose of delivering a message or item that demands secrecy.

This criptex is operated by navigating the maze in and out of the outer protective cylander. I personally designed the maze using a maze generating program online, added a few major changes and added specific points on the maze that will lock-up unless there is just the right amount of pressure in the right place. It took forever to saw out that maze.

So far, no one has been able to make it all the way through the maze except myself, since I memorized the path. Most people in my class cannot get past the first inch of the maze. Only one got about half way before giving up.

*edit #1* FAQ about Criptex:

Q: What are the materials you used? / What is it made of?
A: The Criptex is made of copper with a liver of sulfur patina on it. It is soldered at the seams with silver solder (works well with copper).

Q: How big is it? / What are the dimensions?
A: It stands about 8 inches tall with a diameter of 2 inches.

Q: How does the maze work/move?
A: The maze rotates on the inside of the outer cylinder. There is a thick pin that must be guided through the maze on the inside of the outer cylinder. On the back of that is a little shield that keeps people from cheating and popping the pin out of the maze. The maze takes about a minute or two to get through, if you know the path.

Q: How long did it take to make?
A: Actually, I don't remember entirely. There were a lot of late nights because I had to remake the maze. And the cutting took forever.

Q: Where did you get the idea?
A: Well, I got the name from the DaVinci Code. However, the DaVinci code's Criptex was made of stone and filled with a vinegar vile I think. (couldn't they just freeze the vinegar?) Mine was based more off of ancient contraptions like this: [link] which was an ancient greek/roman cipher. I mixed in another classic puzzle: the Labyrinth instead of a keycode. I wouldn't be surprised if Dan Brown has similar influences.

Q: Do I really know the entire path of that thing?
A: Yes and No. I don't have the entire maze memorized, but I did memorize the correct path through the maze. It is kind off like remembering the right combination to a complicated lock.

Q: Will you be selling them? / can I buy one / can you make one for me?
A: Right now I only have this one criptex. The materials are fairly easy to find in my town. The only problem would be cutting out the maze. If anyone knows how to cut copper like this and quickly I would love to hear it. As soon as I can figure that out, I'll start taking orders. I have no idea on how much a price would be.

Q: How much do you want for this one?
A: I can't say, I'm not even sure I will be selling it.

*edit#2* Due to a few requests I've removed that annoying dA watermark and added the high resolution download image. Check it out to see all the details close up.*
Related content
Comments: 409

Fred2016 [2015-10-27 20:36:30 +0000 UTC]

send me the maze map and I will cut it on a 2" tube or any size you like

Regards

Fred
sorenadesign@Hotmail.com

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epidotegreen [2015-02-06 23:34:16 +0000 UTC]

Really amazing!

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segura2112 [2014-12-18 03:13:59 +0000 UTC]

Β Thank You

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Istana-Hutan [2014-12-14 12:12:28 +0000 UTC]

I thought the labyrinth was actually some text, since it looked like Hylian script: istana-hutan.deviantart.com/ar…
Congratulations!

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snafu01 [2013-10-27 14:05:00 +0000 UTC]

That is seriously impressive.

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Arianod [2013-05-12 06:57:06 +0000 UTC]

This is a) absolutely crazy and b) totally awesome. I love it.

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inu-mutt [2013-04-23 20:11:44 +0000 UTC]

how much would you sell one of these for

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art-devi [2013-03-16 11:29:27 +0000 UTC]

wow your work is amazing, well deserved dd

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watchingonahill [2012-12-05 06:05:02 +0000 UTC]

first reaction; Looks kinda like my tea infuser!

It is beautiful.

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zembelle In reply to watchingonahill [2013-01-06 05:30:38 +0000 UTC]

I thought the same thing. XD

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ArchonofFate [2012-10-06 07:19:37 +0000 UTC]

very impressive ^.^

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SleepyHuman [2012-09-14 19:16:46 +0000 UTC]

This is actually the coolest thing ever. I feel like it would make such an amazing gift, too!

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Trent-Kampel-S [2012-08-22 05:32:01 +0000 UTC]

Genius.

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ChaosAurion [2012-06-22 06:32:00 +0000 UTC]

At first, from the thumbnail view I though this was a Lightsaber hilt, upon further inspection however it turned out to be this wonderous contraption. looks well built and time consuming, nice

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CptCornWault [2012-05-25 19:36:20 +0000 UTC]

What kind of saw tool did you use?

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Tandenfee [2012-05-11 20:02:30 +0000 UTC]

=OOOOOO
This is SO amazingly awesome!

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skiingmusician [2012-02-29 19:55:58 +0000 UTC]

wow. this is amazing!

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Howl-Jenkins [2012-02-26 20:19:47 +0000 UTC]

you could buy time on a water or laser cutter machine. they could do it with absolutely no problem. i have no idea where or how much that service is though.

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Psychomodo [2012-01-02 18:43:16 +0000 UTC]

This look fantastic. I've been considering making one in wood for some time now but am not sure how wood expansion/contraction due to humidity would affect it. I may just try anyway.
Do you have an easy way to reset it or have you learnt the path backwards as well as forwards?

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fluffyneedle [2011-11-05 16:56:22 +0000 UTC]

Amazing, it is breathtaking! I love the maze idea, actaully I love everything about the Criptex. The metal you used looks great, it has the old timer look!

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PPoyson [2011-10-23 12:58:50 +0000 UTC]

brilliant idea. i love the complexity combined with such a simple mechanism. just a simple pin and that thing is more secure for hiding valuables then most banks lol. well congrats on the completion cuz i know how frustrating it must have been to be going through all that wrk.

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SamuelSeitler [2011-10-14 03:07:10 +0000 UTC]

that is amazing. there are computer aided plasma cutters that could buzz that out in minutes. they are pricey, but damn you could sell a lot of those. another idea would be to make a pattern in steel and then lay it out on a s sheet of 1/16 aluminum or copper and just router it out. you could use the same template and just make changes to it so no two would be alike. nice work.

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NathanBe [2011-08-10 05:43:19 +0000 UTC]

Innovated, functional, and evolved...thanks so much for sharing!

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the-silent-kitsune [2011-06-28 17:04:27 +0000 UTC]

That is so cool.

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gryphonsshadow [2011-04-02 23:05:00 +0000 UTC]

fantastic idea and execution, I've just started to work with mental but sawing copper takes a long time. could you laser cut the maze out? I don't know if it would be faster but you wouldn't break any blades.

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the-metalchemist In reply to gryphonsshadow [2011-04-20 02:18:53 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, if I made this again today (or mass produced this) I would probably laser cut it.

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melzika [2011-03-29 10:38:11 +0000 UTC]

Wow! This is incredible! I'm speechless.

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Nowline [2011-03-29 02:38:48 +0000 UTC]

That may be the single coolest and best-executed idea I've ever seen.

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surghali [2011-03-14 12:36:07 +0000 UTC]

wow

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AngstRiddenTeenagers [2010-11-01 01:16:55 +0000 UTC]

you could use a laser cutter for mass production in sales, there's quite a few ads for them on some magazines that i get

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MIPA16 [2010-10-29 00:02:25 +0000 UTC]

quiero un criptex

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minionx12 [2010-10-12 02:47:13 +0000 UTC]

Awesome work! I created something similar in college a few years back and the hardest part was definitely cutting out the intricate parts like you maze. I didn't do a maze per se, but mine was on a smaller scale. Have you thought about using a milling machine? You could start with tubing and turn it on a radius then pull it length wise working back and forth. Maybe a small mill like they would use for watch making?

I'd love to hear more about your process for constructing this piece!

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ShadowSilverfox149 [2010-09-12 20:06:43 +0000 UTC]

i wants one. This is awesome!!!!!

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icantwrite [2010-09-12 09:12:35 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely amazing! Pardon the pun I'd treasure an item like that

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merlinfreak [2010-07-28 19:19:52 +0000 UTC]

omg this is awesome.....

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Shotsnigurate [2010-06-09 16:28:06 +0000 UTC]

striking !

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TheDreamSmiths [2010-06-03 00:00:30 +0000 UTC]

Very impressive. I would have never believed anyone would dare try such an impressive project before.

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mrbonaparte [2010-05-24 07:46:59 +0000 UTC]

cool

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dropkicktessa [2010-05-24 01:11:53 +0000 UTC]

this is impressive.

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Neniadt [2010-04-17 18:49:22 +0000 UTC]

Brilliant idea.

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heartfullofblak [2010-03-27 01:04:29 +0000 UTC]

first off im gonna mention that this is an amazing piece of art. and congrats for succeeding in making it.

But i was wondering if maybe the solution to the cutting of the copper could be solved by using a numerically controlled wire EDM machine to quickly and accurately make the maze.

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shellshockedwolf [2010-02-09 03:56:26 +0000 UTC]

Is it possible to wrap the copper sheet around say a wood blank that you can lathe out to the proper length and diameter, then try cutting the maze out with a dremel?

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417A [2010-01-29 10:20:23 +0000 UTC]

Do You mind if I try to create something similar in my school?

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lazyu [2010-01-02 22:14:37 +0000 UTC]

If you could lay it flat out then maybe silver solder the seam and then to the cap.
The machine you need is a wire EDM. they could run several stacked up then.
(Electric Discharge Machine).
Beautiful piece.

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ElnaraNiall [2009-12-11 13:13:11 +0000 UTC]

omg, this is so amazing, love the idea and the execution is great!

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ASilverDestiny [2009-12-05 23:53:45 +0000 UTC]

o.O
the first thing i thought of was National Treasure, where they had the message on the pipe...
but i realized it was something so much cooler

dang
that must have been crazy to make....

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Frod27 [2009-11-24 21:05:06 +0000 UTC]

Just seen this, clever, but very easy to cut the maze quickly, just laser cut it

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primalgood [2009-11-20 19:57:07 +0000 UTC]

can someone break it by using force and could you add something that would be to stop someone from just going hulk on the thing?

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johnbolin [2009-10-30 08:59:01 +0000 UTC]

"If anyone knows how to cut copper like this and quickly I would love to hear it."

You can cut it out in a "Waterjet" [link]

Make a vector out of the maze blueprint, you can do it in coreldraw and then find a workshop that have a waterjet and start negotiate the prize.

It will cut that baby out in about 2 minutes

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ctrl-alt-delete [2009-10-05 22:03:13 +0000 UTC]

I would play with that for hours if I had the chance.

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