Making a bolt with MAZE threads - Can you solve it? - 3d print to metal -Lost PLA

In this video I will be making a puzzle bolt with complicated maze threads. I started this project by 3d printing models in a plastic called PLA. Then I coated the models 10 times with a ceramic material called Suspendaslurry. After the ceramic shells were completely dry I placed them in my kiln and melted out the PLA plastic. At 1500 degrees Fahrenheit the ceramic shells became vitrified, turning into a ceramic that can withstand the heat of molten bronze. I melted the bronze in my homemade keg foundry furnace and then poured the liquid metal into the ceramic shell molds. This is similar to the lost wax casting process.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon. www.patreon.co... You'll receive access to Patreon only posts as well as any 3d printing files that I designed.
Casting equipment
Melting pot amzn.to/3OeyeiI
PetroBond amzn.to/4bZJqsJ
Crucible salamander amzn.to/4eo1vSW
Crucible lifting Tongs amzn.to/3Vtc26G
High heat Gloves amzn.to/3XqPiai
Leather Jacket amzn.to/4chpUaU
Boot Covers amzn.to/4aZ1G4o
Boots amzn.to/3XpFmxz
Casting Flasks amzn.to/3Rtj4XT
Graphite Molds amzn.to/3VkiIUK
Blow torch amzn.to/3z3Rkms
Respirator amzn.to/3zbFUNq
Face shield amzn.to/4b47XM3
ToAuto Furnace amzn.to/4epMeRz
Propane Furnace amzn.to/3yVQIz9
3d printing FDM
Filament amzn.to/4coyVPQ
3d printer Ender amzn.to/3L58YsZ
3d printing Resin
Siraya tech castable resin amzn.to/4b95n7w
Elegoo resin amzn.to/3XrASGY
Resin Printer Mars 4 amzn.to/3RsL6mw
Belt Grinder
Grinding Belts amzn.to/3RsTySM
Surface conditioning belts amzn.to/4eicD41
Trizact belts amzn.to/3RuW0bg
Belt Grinder Accessories
Grinding Belts amzn.to/3RsTySM
Surface conditioning belts amzn.to/4eicD41
Trizact belts amzn.to/3RuW0bg
6” grinding wheel amzn.to/4b3NF5h
Welding
Kidskin welding gloves amzn.to/3VstSXu
Prime Weld machine amzn.to/3KMeXCQ
Metal finishing tools
Nevrdull amzn.to/3XwyVsu
Liver of Sulfur amzn.to/3XkFCOs
Protectaclear Clear Coat amzn.to/3XrBjkA
Scotch-brite Wheels amzn.to/3KI6v7B
Metal Files High Quality amzn.to/4eifrOB
Die grinder discs Benchmark abrasives amzn.to/4esof4v
Dremel - rubber polishing bits amzn.to/3KKvAi5
Dremel - Wire brushes amzn.to/3yYtQiu
Simichrome Polishing Compound amzn.to/3xapnZM
General
Wilton bullet bench vice amzn.to/4ckifIV
Bandsaw blades amzn.to/3XkmGPT
JB weld amzn.to/3xapGno
Super Glue amzn.to/3VISP2i
Shop Lights amzn.to/3xmMVur
Loc-line shield amzn.to/45v7Nfx
Smoke purifier amzn.to/3XoCMI4
Some of my favorite tools of the year
Makita Blower amzn.to/4c43LNK
Mini circular saw amzn.to/3VnWykp
Makita blower small amzn.to/4eCxFKT
Ratcheting screwdriver amzn.to/3KQUc8J
German pliers amzn.to/3xiRKou
Dremel cordless amzn.to/45ofDrt
Camera Equipment
Canon 6d II amzn.to/4erxUbi
Lights amzn.to/3xjzMSK
Rode Mic amzn.to/3XkFkHm
Canon 50mm stm amzn.to/3VJ3EBu
Canon 24-70 f2.8 amzn.to/3z340dn
All of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Where I bought the Suspendaslurry www.ransom-ran...

[@robinson-foundry]

If you're interested in any of the tools or equipment I use and you want to help support the channel then don't forget to check out some of the affiliate links in the video description. Thank you for the support!

[@soulshinobi]

Love how you consistently go over the details of the process each time, makes it so much easier to follow.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodBallsack]

and makes it easier for new watchers to jump right in, instead of him saying "yeah you know how this works" to a brand new audience member who doesn't know. smart business tactic!

[@geographiq]

@@Styrofo4m well and to see the outcome

[@srice8959]

@@FriendlyNeighborhoodBallsack I was just saying the same exact thing that y’all are saying. As someone that knows absolutely NOTHING About how 3D Printing works or how to go about doing this. Most people do like you said or talks like you’re an idiot for not already knowing

[@Princegouveia]

M gnomos. X. A,zwv s hhhj27 ns0

[@bluelightning3290]

@@FriendlyNeighborhoodBallsack hhjjhhhhhhhjh

[@alcogan6190]

Glad someone’s out here showing the foundry techniques you can use at home! Casting metal is important:)

[@lechking941]

plus if you want to live someplace WAY OUT of dodge you also can make ye own tools :P parts what ever

[@dotta4763]

@@lechking941 yes very cheap

[@WaterjetChannel]

This series just gets better with every new video

[@w0omer]

Ok buddy

[@MonstertruckBadass]

Where Dan and Mitchel

[@chrisoakleyfx]

I'm never going to do this sort of thing myself, but I love watching a craftsman at work and seeing something being made like this. Super cool!

[@yarriksauker993]

this already was a thing in turkey, a TV channel called "Yumurcak" made this a thing, it was being sold as a toy in 2015 it had 3 versions each one being more difficult, Yellow the easiest , green the medium and red being the hardest, this video made me remember those great days!

[@robinson-foundry]

Thank you for watching the video! What did you think? Would you like to help this channel grow? Well one way you can do that is by supporting me on patreon as well as checking out the affiliate links in the description. Thank you!🍻www.patreon.com/user?u=58360840

[@Serbianguy432]

As usual, great job. The videography, the use of super powers to light your furnace, and your inimitable narration and clever content contribute to the creation of videos that not only capture the imagination, but inspire as well.

[@eigengrau7698]

@Heather Petersen seconded

[@Popsm0ke]

Wow . As someone who doesn't know how to run a normal printer I must say this is beyond amazing

[@lmapOS_REAL]

I think the hardest thing about it would be that you can't see through the nut so you don't really know where the "thread" is in the maze or which way to go unless you've got really good memory.

[@stefan514]

That's why you have the black pattern on one side. That's where the pin is

[@dotta4763]

Agreed there should be a notch on the outside to mark the inner one

[@friendlyfinn2363]

you don’t get it. you can’t see through the nut. if your solving a maze, blind except for knowing where you are in a certain area. it’s still harder than normal.

[@GarryDumblowski]

It's kind of amazing to think about how, before the industrial revolution, metal tools had to be crafted by hand. Gives you a new appreciation both for the value and skill of the old tools and their crafters, as well as the degree of automation we have today.

[@trillixhellix8651]

I believe that Most of the metal tools of the tool makers that require any unusual resistance or prevision are still handcrafted. Hopefully we keep from masters to Compagnons du devoir

[@tracybowling1156]

She got it in no time! She must be really intelligent like you are. I wish you had a video of just making the ceramic part of the mold. I love watching you do that, but it's over so quickly. I guess I'm weird, but I really like it!

[@MikeGarcia-vn1gm]

She is amazing!!

[@w1mark275]

I am pretty sure this puzzle is actually a lot easier to solve than an actual 2d maze if you know what you're doing. Since you can simply rotate the screw to go left/right, all you have to do is keep twisting it in one direction, and occasionally pulling up when it gets caught in a dead end, and you'll solve the maze without actually needing to look at the puzzle directly. This is a similar strategy you can do in a regular 2d maze by following one of the walls until it leads you to the exit, choosing to twist clockwise or counterclockwise is essentially the same as choosing the left or right wall to follow in a 2 maze.

[@tracybowling1156]

@@w1mark275 Ah, you've solved puzzles like this before, huh. Good to know! 😊☺️

[@jake9854]

@@tracybowling1156 but girls hated the ceramic part though

[@acomingextinction]

It's crazy how talented you've gotten in the last year. Really impressive work on some TOUGH castings.

[@MikeGarcia-vn1gm]

A true metallurgical genius at work.

[@jannmikoingelrabagogamingc6012]

This is actually a genius design! Never thought that I would have thought of making a puzzle through screws, really.

[@marsgizmo]

wonderful project! 👏😎

[@kometoru]

its the3d printer guy!!!

[@jeffjefferson2676]

It looks like your casts are grtting better and better. Just like the books say: good mold design is key to successful casting. I do like the sandblaster. Greetings, Jeff

[@Daduke2000]

Interesting, I made a bolt maze during my apprenticeship 40 years ago, to win a design competition with my colleagues. I machined it on a milling machine using a rotary divider head from brass hex bar. It has been a talking point in my man cave ever since. I was wondering when someone would come up with another one. I disguised the flat where the tracking pin was located, just to make the exercise of solving it a bit more frustrating.

[@tomk169]

id love to see a rundown/video on your design…doing that on a rotary head sounds insane

[@jumbledfox2098]

I'd love to see it!

[@Korbei83]

Would be interesting to see a design with multiple keys on the nut. Especially if they were asymmetric and could only be solved with the nut engaged in one direction but you wouldn't encounter the problem until partway through.

[@ninjahunterx7497]

@Get on the cross and don’t look back No one cares.

[@MikeGarcia-vn1gm]

@Get on the cross and don’t look back I think your mom is calling you. You're late for dinner.

[@fadeesper781]

u have my respect

[@kiernanmccluskey471]

@Get on the cross and don’t look back mate no one gives two shits about Jesus I will find him and kill him myself again

[@Redskies453]

Wow that's evil. My original comment was "you need Jesus" but someone beat me to it.

[@hellstompr4072]

Bro, you're everything I ever wanted to be regarding this content. Hats off

[@CyberwaveOrchestra]

beautiful and hard work! :D It's nice to see people are interested in craftmanship like this

[@sparrowthenerd]

For complex shapes, would a plaster cast be simpler because it can be dissolved out by water after casting? It seems like, especially for more complex geometries that could have holes and such, that the ceramic gets increasingly difficult to remove

[@theerandomdude2375]

@@XREXP0 then what about one layer of ceramic then the rest as plaster

[@Corzappy]

@@theerandomdude2375 Such a thin layer of ceramic would probably just shatter and leak or bind to the metal, worsening the removal process because instead of large chunks you're scraping away tiny brittle flakes.

[@weekendstuff]

The issue at least I have with plaster molds is they are heavily cracking during burnout. And the at least for me and my castings do not work out that amount of details. For small parts they are anyway a great way to get things done.

[@endofpixel3712]

@Get on the cross and don’t look back dude why are you preaching in the comments

[@themistake8904]

@@endofpixel3712 its a bot my man

[@corymac1140]

Amazing bolts you made. I literally thread bolts for a living, I set up and operate a few different Threading machines at a Steel plant, but we just do right and left hand threading lol

[@xerophyte9527]

so no one's going to talk about that perfect flip at 8:33?

[@hinspect]

My Dad was an excellent Machinist and devised a couple of ramp nuts for locknuts. Great video!

[@jonshellmusic]

5:09 "Then quickly took the shell out of the kiln and put it in some warm sand to keep it from tipping over." I love the comedic timing of this moment/edit.

[@peterrudenko4496]

I love that soulless voice of yours while your wife was trying to solve it... "You may begin. Complete"

[@Jules_73]

What a great video! I have a few 3d printers and now you've got me wanting to make a small forge. Thank you for sharing.

[@Anxiety.H.J]

this person sounds like the most realistic TTS ever

[@yokie8201]

Took me a few minutes to realize it wasn’t.

[@jasrenfro9856]

You can always find the exit to a maze by putting a hand on a wall and following that wall without letting go. Thats how i wouls solve this puzzle as well. Great job.

[@chanelserena2008]

That's really cool. I can imagine using that as a maze lock for valuables.

[@MilesProwerTailsFox]

For car weels, no theft is crazy or dumb enougth to try steal all weels from a car with these

[@SpencerLemay]

It's only got 1 nub holding it on so you could totally just use a big wrench to destroy it.

[@hibahprice6887]

Думаю тебе нужно целый метр такого лабиринтного болта чтобы обезопасить что либо хотя бы на 5 минут 🤣

[@KrakenCasting]

Bahaha, brilliant! You never dissapoint, Seth. Your "pay attention" gag made me jump good.

[@rick9811]

If you were to ever offer these up for sale, I'd definitely be interested in one!

[@jacoblansman8147]

I studied engineering at school and one of the assignments required some essays on various casting techniques. One of those was investment casting which, for those who don't know, has been in use for thousands of years. I did my studies in engineering nearly 10 years ago and none of the information I found on investment casting mentioned that it could be done with 3d printers and plastic with a suitably low melting point - it was all to do with wax models. Whether Lost PLA was a thing back then or not is irrelevant, it's cool to see things done differently to how I learned about it.

[@mizomint4197]

These are very easy to solve... My little brother created a plastic one for me as a gift some years ago. First time seeing one. Took me 15 or so minutes to solve. Instead of mindlessly trying to find your way through it, you move the object so that you reveal a little bit of the beginning of the maze then go back and forward until you can figure out where the pin/bump is positioned. Then it's smooth sailing from there.

[@ryannorthup3148]

I would probably put this on my fridge just to make myself think "do I REALLY want this ice cream?"

[@Netbug]

Was just thinking about your double threads video yesterday... awesome.

[@andreipendle1778]

As usual, top-notch castings. Lovely designs too!

[@exp-eri-mental]

It always amazes me how clever some people are. Absolutely fascinating and so intuitive.

[@isuckatthisgame]

This guy's creativity is through the roof

[@DoctorPelitos]

"unfortunately, i had to start all over and make a new set of nuts" -Robinson Foundry, 7:26

[@hyperion3808]

I see what you did there😂😂🤣🤣

[@MikeGarcia-vn1gm]

It happens.

[@kennys.not_dead]

I have seen all your videos of these wonderful creations. This is far beyond the best of them all. These are all so unique and creative. Let's see more. I absolutely love your creativity. Thank you and much appreciated. Good luck with doing more.

[@NedFlanders612]

Despite your mistakes; I feel like your technique has been getting better and better with every video. Nice work man

[@thekarmafarmer608]

Wonderful artistry. Metalwork like this is very inspiring.

[@donaldducko6580]

I’ve made three following this video and sold them for well over $300 each. Thanks man!

[@dangerousandy]

Fantastic video! Entertaining, informative, and extremely enjoyable. The bolt looks amazing.

[@JonWilsonPhysics]

It would be interesting to make a pair of nuts, each with a single point of engagement. Loosely couple the pair, so that they can rotate freely with respect to one another, and can move up to a few maze rows together or apart along the axis of the maze. This could produce a much more interesting and complicated maze.

[@Bylga]

I would really like to buy one. Looks amazing.

[@rodrimendess]

That is by far the most amazing puzzle creation I've ever seen!!!!

[@boltonky]

Great upload for first time watcher, detailed and something cool to boot

[@BeesKneesBenjamin]

This puzzle reminds me a LOT of a puzzle I had a decade ago, the "dael o ring". The only big difference being that the maze was in the nut (or well, ring) and the little post was put on the 'bolt'. They came in various difficulties and they were a very fun novelty item :)

[@LauriraYT]

Exactly this is what this reminded me of.

[@cheetobambito9724]

Dude... just found this channel while indulging on the herb and am just amazed with the quality of the videos and your skill in handy work and making things. Instant sub from the first vid

[@rockosgaminglogic]

If you could program a drill to install or remove it, you could make that a proprietary security bolt. Silica is a flux, which make for poor refractory materials because they flow and change density, causing cracks. But worse, it causes warping. You should use Titanium(II) Oxide instead. TiO. Also mix with alumina.

[@metronome4670]

This concept is truly a work of art. Just one of the most creative ways to keep the brain occupied, well done!!

[@samus88]

I've been watching your videos for a few weeks now, and I gotta say, I can't believe there isn't a better name for that ceramic coat than "suspendaslurry" lol.

[@tequilacollins]

If you ever want to make it harder, imagine the nut having 2 pegs, 90 degs offset from each other horizontally, and set 1 maze row apart vertically. Designing a maze that would work with such a nut I think would be very challenging.

[@xidarian]

Combine this with a nut that can't be taken off at all and don't mark where the engagement is for extra frustration.

[@MikkoRantalainen]

That's a good idea. It would also allow the maze to look almost totally open because the "invisible wall" would be created as combination as two pegs. It might be possible to use drilled pegs that screw into place from inside the nut so you could change the pegs if needed but you still have to solve the maze (open the lock) to access the pegs.

[@programaths]

I was thinking 180, but 90 permits trickery as one or the other peg engaging in the same groove can have a different effect due to the other peg. Which is not possible with 180.

[@borjesvensson8661]

Not really. The bolt just have to have two identical halves. One for each peg. No other way to do it. What would bee a 3 peg maze bolt with a reagular thread at the bottom so you could tighten it but had to solve the maze to remove it

[@programaths]

@@borjesvensson8661 The nut has depth, so you can't twist it on the normal axis to disengage it from the bolt. Even with one peg it would hold.

[@ScootsLounge]

I think the hardest part of this maze would be the fact you can't see your exact point or your options from there. you just gotta feel around and hope you're stumbling across the right path.

[@TK-wk4hs]

7:52 I was looking away… I’m high af and you scared the living shit out of me😂 thought I was going crazy till I went back and saw it was actually appart of the video and not my imagination

[@MikeGarcia-vn1gm]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MikkoRantalainen]

It would have been interesting to see even a short explanation of the maze design. Was it just a 2D maze wrapped around a cylinder? How would you have designed it if there wasn't straight section in the side so that the actual solve would need to logically wrap over the 2D maze from side-to-side? Maybe next step could be a metal ball maze hold in place with 4 clearly visible pegs and one deep enough hole in the ball to extract the ball from the pegs when hole is aligned with one of the pegs?

[@imallsoupedup]

Go at 1/4th speed at 17-18*seconds, it looks like he wrapped a 2d maze around the cylinder in the software

[@MikkoRantalainen]

@@imallsoupedup Well spotted! Pro tip: you can also use frame advance by pausing the video and pressing comma (1 frame backwards) and period (1 frame forwards) buttons in the keyboard.

[@Popsm0ke]

@@MikkoRantalainen.....that is a pro tip

[@ratnapkins7853]

@@MikkoRantalainen This needs an internet wide PSA.

[@bananoid3726]

@@MikkoRantalainen how that in mobile

[@raantan6683]

This is quite interesting. The maze thread bolt is perfect for puzzle solving enthusiasts and also to help people in therapy to like enhance their thinking skills or something

[@JamesCK1104]

This Is the Greatest puzzle i have ever seen

[@JohnPaulBuce]

8:25 metal trick shot

[@fitdude69]

Your whole process and how you make these bolts is so Fascinating, and you go into such Integrate detailing which is so amazing. I would have so much enjoyment with them buy any chance do you have your own shop. 😁✌🏻 i look forward to more to come.

[@MilesProwerTailsFox]

This actually has a pretty good use Bolts for car weels, 8 of these for each weel no one is crazy enougth to do that

[@Purpleheart62001]

You'd best not expect to pay the same for a tire rotation

[@MilesProwerTailsFox]

@@Purpleheart62001 You don't pay for it You buy the tire and change it yourself That's why cars come with everything needed for it

[@Purpleheart62001]

@@MilesProwerTailsFox you need a tire machine to mount a tire, or skill and some basic tools and a bit of risk. If you're talking about a tire rotation, you need 2 jackstands and one jack to do it yourself. None of this besides a shitty roadside jack comes with a car.

[@MilesProwerTailsFox]

@@Purpleheart62001 and how the shape of the screw affects all of that? Also i had changed a tire with just a screwdriver Your lack of knowledge and the amount of money your dad gives you amazes me

[@nishantbambha7258]

ONE OF THE MOST CREATIVE BRAIN ON YOU TUBE 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 LOVE AND RESPECT FOR YOU🤓🤓🤓

[@yellowmuginc]

A creative build and a clear and well written process. Love it!

[@finnaginfrost6297]

I'm curious if the casting ceramic is hard to pick out of grooves because it's binding to layer lines, and if it would be easier to pick if you used something like acetone smoothing on your prints. On the other hand, that might introduce warping or lost corner detail.

[@paulfarr2795]

I have a bad joke about the speed your wife solved it at because of how familiar she is with handling your nuts... but we will leave it at that. Awesome work, as per usual you have made something I would totally buy hahah

[@jucom756]

I think it would've been really cool to actually use the wrap-around in your maze, but because of the straight shaft thats not possible :/

[@jackdunne6152]

That's some nice craftsmanship and a really cool idea.

[@LGBTQAprimalpossumheadquarters]

Cool use of this bolt, door knobs to open a door, knob and puzzle solving opens the door. Idk I got like trillions of ideas just seeing you maze bolt. My profession is just outdoor. But it would make an interesting key for anyone that knows pattern of the bolt. Could be a bad idea. But I'm just commenting it here because this is pretty neat stuff tbh

[@MrRusty-fm4gb]

I actually thought of this not too long ago.. but I didn’t think to make it from a bolt. Great idea and great video!

[@faustaocomseumegazord215]

4:00 hmmm this maze looks crispy, nice food 😋

[@PhiLLyPhiLLz]

This is so cool and it makes me appreciate metals and engineering.

[@tdceylon]

Man this is a work of a genius. From beginning till end. Job well done

[@purplehaze2358]

6:23 That plane is doing the auditory equivalent of a photobomb.

[@niteninja0133]

Should send this to Chris Ramsey he loves puzzles. He's got a great KZbin channel

[@beelzybossbee1406]

SUper awesome project. Loved it. I think it is easier to solve the puzzle without the nut first.

[@halg3625]

My Papa would love to see your work. I'm going next door, right now to show him on his TV.

[@naplzt4k]

time and talent can accomplish anything

[@jesuz999]

I love projects that come from the idea: "Because I can!"

[@MajorVein]

Oh man this one is absolutely awesome!!!!!

[@rajukulkarni2735]

KZbin is a best App in the world

[@jacobolson9650]

This is honestly dope as hell. Really cool puzzle idea!

[@ArtHelm]

This has been done for centuries. Nice presentation.😉

[@miragegaming984]

I would hate doing stuff like this, I don't have the patience but I love that people like this guy do stuff like this so I don't have to xD

[@santosh8471]

Wow I love that thermal process..

[@silly_vision1]

I do appreciate the doggo dedicated time

[@roberthilberling7668]

This takes me back to my Sure cast days.

[@Cheapfreezedriedcandy]

I love it when people randomly do something not possible like it’s no biggie

[@nashr4853]

Its one of those 'just because we could, doesn't mean we should' moment

[@DefinitionOfPain]

I like how the excess metal from the bolt fell and landed perfectly

[@SreenikethanI]

ahaha same

[@eduardoraudales3987]

Worth every single minute watching this vid ❤

[@marcopederzoli4939]

Revomazes have been around for over 10 years and this is an easy version, where you actually see the maze. In revomaze you move the bolt inside a huge nut that hides the maze, making the task really hard

[@jennibristol7720]

I use to work for a company using the same technique to make small scale high definition metal castings. We made our masters hollow with a honeycomb structure inside. This meant there is less material to burn out of the mould.

[@sirentyper4457]

thats exactly how 3d prints as well, but instead of honeycomb its usually triangle comb

[@100vg]

Fascinating!!! And it looks really Cool!

[@markthomas36]

Very imaginative mate. Cool!

[@MichaelMcGee-e2i]

That is the coolest thing. It was really interesting to watch you make. 👍👍👍

[@malthomas5079]

Best casting vid ever 👌 👏

[@KeeperofTheMountain]

I learn much about casting from your videos. I also learn that your wife is very smart.

[@markburningcandlehamilton1245]

this was awesome. Thanks for making and sharing!