Spy Message Decoder

[Joe W.]

OK, it's not a cat, but it could encrypt a message with the word cat in it . . . along with "be sure to drink your Ovaltine".
My wife and I do Geocaching, an activity that can include solving a puzzle in order to get information (GPS coordinates) that will lead you to a hidden container with a logbook where you sign your name.  I know, sounds dumb, but we have enjoyed it going on 14 years now and have had a lot of wonderful experiences, met lot of nice people, and seen a lot of sights in the USA and overseas.
Anyway, I took this Steve Good pattern and beefed it up a bit - made it 150% of original size - now roughly 15 inches by 7 inches and used 1/2 inch wood with 1/4 inch for the dials.  I tried the 1/8 inch but it just wasn't holding up to the handling.
I probably violated some scroll saw etiquette by using wood screws to hold the case together but wanted it to endure the handling it will likely get over time.
It was fun to make, but I did learn a little more about the things you have to take into consideration when you enlarge a pattern - like hole size enlarges too (sheeze, head slap!)

  

[daveww1]

nice job, nothing wrong with wood screws. I've built boxes to hold gifts and always used screws to hold the lid on. It makes people work to get there gift.

[barb.j.enders]

Are you hiding the box?  My dad was into Geocaching and I did some with him.  Really enjoyed it. Not so much fun by yourself and I can't get hubby interested

[Joe W.]

11 minutes ago, barb.j.enders said:

Are you hiding the box?  My dad was into Geocaching and I did some with him.  Really enjoyed it. Not so much fun by yourself and I can't get hubby interested

Yes, and I want to find a place out of the elements where the person(s) won't be bothered by bugs or the weather.  
I have a different geocaching puzzle at a library where geocachers can sit down and solve it to get the coordinates and then go outside to find the container. 
That works well, so I want to find a similar place for this one.
If you have the time and interest, you could always attend a geocaching event and connect with someone there and cache with them.  It's been a great way for us to get some fresh air and our steps in (Lord knows I need to, my wife is a terrific cook and the only thing I can't say no to is the temptation to eat more than I should).
  

[meflick]

Neat, we did some geocaching for a little when my kids were younger. Been a while, maybe we should start up again. Would be neat to find something like this for sure.

[Charlie E]

That's very cool, and unique! Amazing diversity in this hobby. I hadn't heard of geocaching. I too love things that get me outdoors. Metal detecting is my second love after scroll sawing. 

[ben2008]

Sounds like fun and similar to a scavenger hunt we did many years ago.

[amazingkevin]

Nice code box gizmo. My favorite kind of toy ,something i know nothing about!!!

[heppnerguy]

On 3/4/2021 at 8:05 PM, Joe W. said:

OK, it's not a cat, but it could encrypt a message with the word cat in it . . . along with "be sure to drink your Ovaltine".
My wife and I do Geocaching, an activity that can include solving a puzzle in order to get information (GPS coordinates) that will lead you to a hidden container with a logbook where you sign your name.  I know, sounds dumb, but we have enjoyed it going on 14 years now and have had a lot of wonderful experiences, met lot of nice people, and seen a lot of sights in the USA and overseas.
Anyway, I took this Steve Good pattern and beefed it up a bit - made it 150% of original size - now roughly 15 inches by 7 inches and used 1/2 inch wood with 1/4 inch for the dials.  I tried the 1/8 inch but it just wasn't holding up to the handling.
I probably violated some scroll saw etiquette by using wood screws to hold the case together but wanted it to endure the handling it will likely get over time.
It was fun to make, but I did learn a little more about the things you have to take into consideration when you enlarge a pattern - like hole size enlarges too (sheeze, head slap!)

  

I stumbled upon a geocache once and found it very it interesting. I thought it would be fun  but never carried out the plans to do so. Not sure I understand what you will do with this project but i bet it was interesting to make. " I have my Ovaltine all drank, Captain Midnight"

Dick

heppnerguy

[Joe W.]

39 minutes ago, heppnerguy said:

Not sure I understand what you will do with this project but i bet it was interesting to make. " I have my Ovaltine all drank, Captain Midnight"

Ah, you got my reference (big smile).   We still watch "Christmas Story" when it airs.  It's a tradition in our house.
To use this for a geocache, I'll publish information on the Geocaching website that will show them where the decoder is physically located. 
The published information will also have the encryption key used to encoded/encrypted the message and the encrypted GPS coordinates of where the geocache container is hidden.  (The geocache container itself has a paper log they have to sign, proving they actually found the geocache.)
When they have the decoder in their hands, their challenge is to figure out how the 3 wheels are used to set up the encryption key, enabling them to then decode the encrypted message.
It will be a little bit evil, but it adds to the satisfaction of cracking the code.
On one occasion, it took a group of 9 of us two hours to figure out how to unlock a puzzle.  We were all doing the happy dance when we finally got it.
The puzzle caches are just one of 7 different geocache types.  Lots of fun for young and old. 
And basic membership is free!