Ring on a Stick Puzzle

This Ring on a Stick is a classic string-and-ring disentanglement puzzle. In this Instructable, I'll walk you through how to build this deceptively simple puzzle in two different ways. First, we'll make a five-minute version using just a wood dowel, a hair band, and a metal ring. Then, I'll share the files and process for a 3D-printable version of the rod and ring. I would consider this an entry-level puzzle geared to younger children. The average adult should be able to solve it within a few minutes. See my Instructuables page for more complex designs

Materials:

Wood Version:

1. Wood Dowel - 1/2" Diameter x 6.5" Long
2. Wood Glue
3. Hair Band
4. Metal Ring

3D Print Version

1. Hair Band

Tools :

Wood Version

1. Tape Measure
2. Pencil
3. Saw
4. Drill
5. Drill Bit - 3/16" Diameter
6. Sand Paper

3D Print

1. 3D Printer / Material

You will be building to this model. The parts consist of a Rod, Cap, Band, and Ring

Cut the 1/2" diameter dowel to 6.5"

Drill a 3/16" hole 1/2" from the end

Cut the dowel at the centerline of the hole

Paracord or string works well for the band, but I used a hair tie since the elastic allows for easy adjustment to different ring sizes.

Place the band into the groove. Glue the cap to the rod. Missed taking this picture. 3D print version shown.

Print the Rod, Cap, and Ring. See STL files

Alignment pins are added to the cap. For this version, they produced a snap-tight fit. If yours are loose, I suggest adding a small amount of glue at the interface.

3 Ring Options are attached. I preferred the middle option (Ring_3D1) the best.

As with the wood version, place band in groove and attach the cap.

Setting the puzzle is pretty easy. Start by positioning the Rod, Band, and Ring as shown.

Slide the Ring over the Band as shown.

Rotate the Ring over the top of the Rod

Pull on Ring. It should look as shown.

Solving is the reverse order. Flip Ring over Rod

Push Ring towards Rod

Slide Ring off of Rod

If the pictures were not clear, see the video in the introduction for the solution. Please let me know if you have any questions. Also, if you like this puzzle, take a look at my instructables page for plenty of others.

Thanks for viewing!