Laser Cut Decoder

I am a teacher who had a lesson about the Zimmerman Telegram, a coded message from Germany to Mexico during WWI. I designed and laser cut this simple substitution decoder for my students to use to break the code and discover what the telegram was about. I used 1/8" plywood.

To make this you need to cut:
• one front with the words engraved
• one back (I removed the engraving with my name)
• one gear piece and middle spacer

I used superglue to assemble the housing. I carefully aligned the front panel and spacer pieces and super glued them. I then aligned the gears how I wanted them using the screws to hold them in place. Finally, I carefully glued on the back being sure not to glue the gears in place. Secure the screws with nylon lock nuts.

I used 1/8" plywood so M5x16 screws and nylon lock nuts for the gear axles worked great for me. If I were remaking this, I might try wooden dowels or some fancy laser cut pegs.