Bandit

In 1894 Charles Fey introduced the world’s first slot machine, the “Liberty Bell”. It had three spinning reels with various playing cards symbols and suits. A little over ten years later, fancy fruits were added to the reels. Thanks to the ingenious side lever, which remained present even after Bally’s introduced the electronic machine in 1964 (the “Money Honey”), slot machines are fondly known as the “one-armed bandit”.

UK based mechanical engineer Matt Williams is the creative brain and manufacturer behind MW Puzzles, which began producing finely machined metal enigmas over the past year or so. Matt’s initial series of mechanical puzzles, a set of three unique black cubes (3 the peg, The Penny Pincher, and Lib-ORB-rate), thrilled and befuddled enthusiasts around the world with their deviously clever mechanics. His newest creation branches out into a fun new direction which is simply irresistible to handle and explore, and balances an excellent set of challenges with solvability.

Matt recently shared the story of his fledgling company with me. “I’ve been a press toolmaker for 25 years, mainly for the automotive sector, so that involves problem solving and machining of metal parts and components. So when I decided to take the plunge and start making metal puzzles I was well equipped with the skills needed.” Matt’s interest in puzzles came at first from locks. “A family member got into lock puzzles a few years ago and when I saw them I was intrigued. How can a simple lock become a puzzle, which got me searching the Internet for other unique mechanical puzzles. After that I decided in my spare time I would have a go at making a few puzzles myself (to bamboozle family members mainly)”

This led to his first design. “Then was born 3 the peg. It was originally intended to be a sword in block puzzle like Excalibur, but I found something similar on the Internet so it turned into free the peg rather than sword. After that I decided to make a few more and see if I could sell them and after a slow start I sold out and got some great feedback.” He kept making and selling and realized this could be an actual business. “After 3 the peg, the penny pincher came along and because it was a similar size I decided to make it look the same so they would be recognised as an “MW Puzzle”. [I did] “the same with lib orb rate. I wanted a uniform look of my puzzles. That was until I decided to stop making them and turned my attention to a larger themed puzzle. I didn't know what at this point as I was just sketching up ideas on a notepad. As I was looking around the room (my spare room / office) I have a one armed bandit which I’ve had for a while and that got me thinking. Can I possibly turn something like that into a puzzle? 8 months later and a lot of scrap parts I had a working prototype.” Matt was pleased with the prototype and sent it out to testers for feedback. There were a few problems which needed tweaking, “which led to a slightly different puzzle but the main core of it stayed the same.”

The Bandit is a major undertaking. “With over 30 individual components to be manufactured in each puzzle, time is my biggest hurdle. It is a huge step up in manufacturing compared to my previous work but well worth it when one is finished. It was originally going to be called "Busted Bandit " but Chris [Matt’s business partner] was less pleased with that name so we opted for just “Bandit”. Chris is not really part of the puzzle making he built the website and looks after that side of things which frees me up to concentrate on designing/prototyping/manufacturing. It is a tall order for one person as I make everything myself but I do really enjoy it.” It’s good to know Matt enjoys making these, because they are in great demand. The puzzle looks fantastic and has a number of impressive mechanisms for an overall incredibly fun and satisfying experience. Throughout, the puzzle maintains the larger theme as well.

In addition to the theme and format, Matt branched out with materials this time. “I did use different materials which I’ve not worked with before. I was looking for bright sharp colours which I found difficult with anodising so I decided on using aluminium composite for the body panels. For those who don't know, aluminium composite is plastic sandwiched between 2 thin aluminium sheets which I found great to work with and machine and already comes in a variety of colours.” What’s next for MW Puzzle? “Moving forward I'm keeping the gaming theme and my next puzzle hopefully if it works will be a pinball machine puzzle.” I’ve got my quarters lined up!

To toast this marvelously beguiling Bandit I’m raising my free arm (the other is occupied by the bandit) with an usually lucky cocktail by Chicago bartender Nick Kokonis, who’s book Something & Tonic is a manifest to the simple pleasures of a tonic highball. Which is not to say his recipes are at all simple, and he also explores the fascinating history of the medicinal anti-malarial turned popular mixer.

In his Cash and Prizes, he balances spicy rye whiskey with the lovely Lillet Rouge, an aperitif which tastes of dark fruits, ripe berries, vanilla and spices. They are a fantastic pairing on their own, but Kokolis blows this away with an entire bottle of the bracingly bitter minty cult classic amaro Underberg, which is sold in tiny 20 ml individual bottles. The amaro, which is technically known as a krauterlikor (in the same family as Jägermeister), is crafted from 43 regional herbs and spices using, as expected, a secret recipe. Finally, the cocktail is topped off with tonic for an effervescent lift. Cheers, and good luck!

Cash and Prizes by Nick Kokonis

1 ½ oz rye

1 ½ oz Lillet Rouge

1 bottle Underberg

Premium tonic, chilled

Pour first three ingredients into an old fashioned glass over ice and stir to chill. Top with the tonic. Lemon peel twist to extract oils over the glass.

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