Slider Puzzles
A slider puzzle can be made with either two contrasting woods (walnut and maple, oak and cherry, or some such) or the same wood for the frame and the pieces. If you want something other than the sizes ˆ have listed I can do that as well. Get in touch with me for the price for the particular one you have in mind. For the 4 X 4 puzzle it is roughly six inches square and about 3/4 inch high with the pieces simply sitting in the frame and not connected to one another. In the plastic dime-store ones they are connected, but the tradition in the wooden ones is to make them free from one another. On the pieces can be letters spelling out a name, or favorite phrase with either blanks or other letters on the remaining pieces as desired. Since they are free and can be turned over, I suggest putting numbers on the back of the pieces so that they can be inverted and make a traditional numerical sliding puzzle. INFORMATION I NEED TO MAKE ONE OF THESE: 1) The name or phrase you want on the blocks, including blanks. The number varies with the size, 15 for a 4X4, 24 for a 5X5, 35 for a 6X6, 48 for a 7X7. 2) If you have a font preference (block, script, etc.) let know it. They are traditionally a block font. 3) Whether you want contrasting woods or all the same wood (if you have no preference that's fine, I will make it using whatever is most available). 4) Do you want a traditional numbered puzzle on the back? 5) If your name or phrase is less than fifteen letters, do you want the others with "filler" letters or blank?
Long-time member
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Fast shipper
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
Great service
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
I have been making from wood for as long as I can remember. I take a great deal of pride in my work and will not accept a commission if I am not entirely sure I can complete it to your satisfaction. ShopDog Turnery is a one-person, one-dog operation making all sorts of custom items, primarily lathe based. This includes bottle-stoppers, wine glasses (with glass or wooden bowls), platters and plates, bowls, boxes, and whatever else springs to mind.
In addition to lathe work I make various flat pieces; tables, specialty boxes, cutting boards and, again, whatever else springs to mind.
I make for the joy of the making, using sustainably harvested and reclaimed or historical woods exclusively.
Molly was the ShopDog, but is no longer with us. She did all the "RUFF" work in the turnery.
- KB
Kenneth Barnes
For End-Grain White Oak Cutting Board With A Walnut Accent (Butcher Style)5.0I am very happy with finished project. I would use the maker again
- RL
Rosemary Lauter
For Dark wood personalized5.0Working with Jim Barbour was a very positive experience. I especially liked Mr. Barbour's prompt communications with me about my custom, personalized cutting board project and I was promptly informed of the status of my project along the way. I highly recommend this craftsman.
- LR
Linda Rupp
For Conductor's Batons5.0Jim was great to work with. He offered wonderful ideas to make the project more personable. I would definitely work with him again/recommend him highly to someone looking for a good turner.
- BG
b g
For End-Grain White Oak Bread Board In A Rainbow Pattern5.0Communication was excellent.The project is beautiful. Quality exceptional. And it arrived in time for me to use on Thanksgiving. I will be ordering again from this shop. Highly recommend for exceptional gifts.
- FR
Fred Robbins
For Zebrawood End Grain Cutting Board5.0Jim Barbour was an absolute joy to work with! He is extremely knowledgeable, insightful, and is a highly skilled craftsman. He guided me through the wood selection process and explained how my cutting board would be made. He was extremely patient with my many questions. The finished piece is absolutely gorgeous! It is now one of my prized possessions! I will enjoy showing it off to friends! Jim would receive my absolute highest recommendation on any project involving wood.
- MR
Mike Rossner
For Shifter Knob Walking Cane5.0Beautiful piece. Solid construction. Exactly what I was looking for. Very pleased with the work and with the ease of the transaction.
- MW
Matthew Weiss
For Slider Puzzles5.0Jim was very responsive via the online chat and made sure I got my piece in time for when I needed it. The quality of the work was excellent.
- MR
Meaghan Ruddy
For Support Canes5.0 - JH
Judy Hiers
For End-Grain Tigerwood (Goncalo Alves) And Walnut Cutting Board (Butcher Style)5.0Absolutely beautiful - a work of art! You can tell love goes in to his work. I’m glad to have something that I know I’m going to keep forever. Jim was a pleasure to do business with. Great at communication throughout the whole process. I can’t thank you enough!!
- ES
Eileen Smyth
For Wooden Bocci Ball Set5.0The bocci ball set is absolutely beautifully well made. I am extremely satisfied with the product. Even though Jim had to take care of some personal family matters, he came through with a completed product delivered in time for Christmas. I will most definitely use his services again. Eileen Smyth
- RH
Rick Honeycutt
For Stain gun grips5.0Great working with Jim.I had a special project I wanted help with and he knocked it out of the park.I Definitely want to work with him aging soon.
- E
Erin
For Emperor’s Club Movie Shutruk Nahunte Plaque4.8The finished project is gorgeous and extremely high quality. I had very specific requests and he worked with me patiently and communicated clearly. It’s everything I was hoping for and I would absolutely trust him with future projects.
- VM
Vincent Morella
For Custom Floating Shelves4.8Jim's craftsmanship is phenomenal. The shelves he built for us are very high quality. We couldn't be happier!
- PD
Pan Darius
For Pan's Cutting Board4.7This is probably the most beautiful cutting board I've ever owned. Quality is absolutely the best and I'm sure I saved hundreds compared to purchasing anything similar retail. I will be returning to this same artist should I ever need anything else (such as a chess board, which I am considering) and I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs wordwork or wood kitchen gear.
- DC
Dean Cama
For Bao Board - An African Game Similar To Mancala5.0It was great to work with Jim. In my opinion, he expert craftsmanship is matched by his professionalism. He was very accommodating and was attentive to every last detail and the final piece exceeded my expectations. I would recommend him to everyone and I hope to work with him again in the future.
- AR
Ann Russo
For Pork Only Please5.0Love, love , love my extra large cutting board. Exactly what I described, we communicated and sent pictures so I could get color and style exactly right. I am ordering two more, beautifully crafted and an amazing value. Thanks for a gorgeous piece that I will love for a very long time.
- TB
Traci Berg
For Breakfast Caddy / Tray In Black Walnut5.0The final product looks AWESOME!!! I can't wait to give it to our family members who we made it for.
- AS
Anya Slepyan
For Custom Shaped Cutting Board5.0Jim was fantastic! He was very flexible and willing to make the project more affordable for me, and was clear about all the different stages. I also really appreciated his attention to detail. The final product was beautiful and the recipients really loved it! Thank you, Jim!
- BV
Brittany Van Buskirk
For Brittany's Display box for dried rose4.2I was looking for a custom made box to display a dried rose and Jim had fantastic ideas to make the box absolutely perfect. His advice for wood type and color of flocking complemented the rose colors perfectly and he suggested a plexiglass slide top that looked very sleek. I asked for the project on too-short notice for Christmas but Jim said he would try to get it done in time anyway. I ended up getting it in the first week of February and didn't get updates on the timeline until I asked. When it was finished, shipping was fast and it was packed very well so there was no damage on the way. I would buy from Jim again for another project but I would make sure that I had at least 2 months before I planned to have it in my hands.
- DF
Dave Frischkorn
For Chef's Pastry Board5.0I highly recommend Jim. He was easy to work with, very responsive, timely and the finished product was outstanding.
- CR
Carrie Rich
For Carrie's Cutting Board5.0@shopdogturnery did a FABULOUS job on my cutting board! His professionalism, communication and product was all top notch!
- PC
Peter Cardel
For Walnut Cutting Board End Grain Butcher Block Charcuterie Board5.0It was a true pleasure working with Jim on this project. He made a spectacular walnut cutting board which I gave as a gift to friends. They loved it!
AWArlene Wildenberg
For Walnut Napkin Holder5.0Today I received my napkin holder and I love it!! It looks wonderful on my lazy Susan. Jim was very easy to communicate with when I had questions about the project. The results are very professional looking and I will cherish it always. I would highly recommend Jim for any of your custom made projects. Thank you Jim. Arlene
- LS
Lonnie Secrist
For Personalized Man Cave Sign Jmc3.7Did a great job making the 12 inch x 24 inch sign I ordered but it took 3 months to get it. Unacceptable
- WB
Wendy Bennett
For End-Grain Black Walnut Cutting Board (Butcher Style)5.0This is artisan-quality work and the communications along the way were pure professional. We gave cutting / charcuterie boards as Christmas gifts and they were received with delight. Next year we'll give one to ourselves! THANKS JIM!!!
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