Cannon Ball Puzzle Solution and Hints

This puzzle was formerly sold by Crafty Puzzles and is retained as a free reference item. It is no longer available to purchase from this website.

Try a hint before revealing the answer

Open one hint at a time to preserve some of the challenge.

Hint 1

Separate the curved outer pieces from the smaller internal locking pieces.

Hint 2

Build two loose hemispheres around the central framework.

Hint 3

Join the halves before inserting the last key piece; forcing a tight half together too early makes the final lock impossible.

Use the component key to separate the curved shell pieces from the internal connectors.
Build the first small central frame shown in the early numbered stages.
Add the curved pieces around that frame in opposite pairs, creating a loose lower hemisphere.
Construct the upper hemisphere around the remaining central pieces.
Join the two halves while leaving the final channel open.
Insert the last key piece through the open channel and centre the shell pieces to form the ball.

Use the preserved diagram or video alongside these steps for exact orientation. The written guide is an original summary prepared for this archive.

The original Crafty Puzzles instruction diagram is preserved below.

Reveal the Cannon Ball solution diagram

Select the diagram to open a full-screen zoomable view. The original file is also available for printing.