CODE BAUBLE - Cryptex Christmas Ornament

Description

A Christmas ornament that keeps a secret. CODE BAUBLE is a working cryptex in the shape of an 86 mm bauble. Turn the five letter rings until your word lines up between the two gold arrows and the top slides out, revealing the gift hidden inside: a rolled banknote, a gift card, a ring or a handwritten note.

Hang it on the tree with a name, a date or a riddle as the clue, and let them work for it.

Version 2 (October 2026)

Thanks to feedback from the first makes, v2 fixes two things:

•          Real clicks: every ring now snaps into place on each letter, right between the gold arrows.

•          No more gap: the ring stack is held solid between the body and the bottom cap, so the gaps stay an even 1 mm and nothing slides.

•          The ring and sleeve pairs also slide onto the body more easily.

Already printed v1? Reprint the 5 rings, the 5 sleeves, the body and the bottom cap. The top cap and the capsule stay the same.

How it works

•          Each letter ring sits on a hidden code sleeve with a single channel. The capsule has five teeth, one per ring.

•          Only when all five channels line up under the arrow can the capsule be pulled out.

•          Every sleeve also has three false gates, so the code can’t be felt out by wiggling.

•          Small key tabs lock both caps while the bauble is closed, so it can’t be opened by unscrewing a cap.

•          Each ring clicks once per letter: 27 positions (A-Z + star) per ring, over 14 million combinations.

What’s included

•          Bambu Studio 3MF, 4 colours, 3 plates, sliced and checked on the X2D

•          STLs per part, split by colour for multicolour printers

•          STLs per part in one piece for single-colour printing

•          README with code setting and assembly steps

Set your own code

1.        Pick a word of 5 letters (or use the star). Ring 5 is the top ring; the word reads top to bottom.

2.        Drop each sleeve into the ring with the same number so the sleeve’s channel sits right behind your chosen letter. Sleeve 5 and ring 1 are made for their own place, so keep the numbers together.

3.        Slide the ring and sleeve pairs onto the body from the bottom: pair 5 first, then 4, 3, 2 and 1.

4.        Push the bottom cap on and twist 30 degrees to lock it.

5.        Put your gift inside, twist the top cap onto the capsule, dial your code and slide it home. Scramble the rings.

To change the code later, open the bauble first, then twist off the bottom cap.

Gift space

About 40 mm wide and 44 mm tall: a rolled banknote, a folded gift card, a ring, earrings or chocolate coins.

Support the model

CODE BAUBLE is free. If you print one, please post a Make with your photo, and a Like helps me keep designing new puzzle ornaments. Merry Christmas!