Sample Puzzle Map, Africa Regions

Here is a sample of what I can do.

The puzzle is cut from 6.5mm Birch Ply ( contraplaqué en bouleau ) and backed with 3mm MDF of which I had a few small pieces in my workshop.
I printed an image found on the web and stuck it to the wood and then cut around it.


All wooden children's puzzles I have ever seen have been made from birch ply. Normal ply available from Casto, Bricodepot, Leroy Merlin etc is made from a soft wood which splinters easily and is generally of very poor quality with gaps often appearing between the plies.

We have been unable to find a stockists of 6.5mm birch ply in, or around, Caen. I can buy it in very small quantities on the internet but it is very expensive to buy this way. I find this strange as 6.5mm is a standard size ( manufactured typically in Finland, the Baltic States or Russia) and is readily available in the UK. I will probably buy a sheet (2.4m x 1.2m) when I am in the UK in August.

I think any thicker that 6.5mm on a large puzzle would be too heavy.

I have only painted one piece of the puzzle. I am not an artist and yellow was the only coloured paint I had.

The holes in the backing board were made in error when I set the depth of the drill incorrectly.

I think that by writing the names of the countries underneath the piece provides an element of surprise.

What size are the Montesorri Puzzles? Cutting the smaller countries, Togo, Benin, and Gambia might present a problem especially if we want to put a peg in each one.

Tell me what you think. I can post this sample to you if you like.