STEAM-Focused Craft Kit for your Favorite Maker

Zig-Zag Pencil Box

Name: Zig-Zag Pencil Box
Brand: Eastbrook Crafts
SKU: MMM-ZZPB-01
Price: 34.95 USD
Availability: InStock

$34.95 USD

The Zig-Zag Pencil Box is a masterclass in spatial reasoning. As you assemble the three-tier sliding chassis, you’ll discover how cleverly positioned mechanics allow the seemingly impossible to occur as a pencil is broken into pieces before your eyes, and then restored! It’s a classic stage illusion shrunken down to desk size, requiring a engineer’s eye for alignment and a performer’s flair for the dramatic.

Free replacement parts

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Low stock: 7 left

Number of Pieces

Build Time

1 hours

Difficulty

3/5

Suggested Age

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Zig-Zag Pencil Box

$34.95

STEAM Principles in this Kit...

Engineering

Learn about mechanical tolerances by building a sliding mechanism that must align perfectly to "switch" between the whole pencil and the hidden pieces.

Design

Blend form and function by assembling precision-cut components into an elegant, Art Deco-inspired masterpiece that hides complex mechanics behind beautiful aesthetics.

Geometry

Explore how volume and spatial reasoning allow a single box to hide more than one object through clever internal partitioning

Neuroscience

Discover how the brain uses visual continuity to "fill in the blanks," making us see a solid object even when it’s being hidden right in front of us.

Performing Arts

Develop confidence and public speaking skills by mastering the timing, misdirection, and storytelling required to flawlessly execute a captivating mechanical illusion.

What's Inside

Hand-dyed wood pieces

History of the Illusion

Illustrated Build Guide

Online Video Tutorials

Performance Guide

Useful Accessories

Responsibly Harvested Birch

Custom-milled plywood by Koskisen from sustainably managed Finnish forests. Every sheet is 100% traceable and CO2-neutral, ensuring we protect the planet while we build.

Safe for the Maker’s Home

We use indoor-grade plywood with ultra-low emission glues (M1/E0 certified). Each kit is hand-finished with 100% natural shellac—no toxic odors, just the scent of real wood.

Local Design and Craftsmanship

All products are designed and cut in-house and hand-finished and packed right here in our Clayton workshop at the base of Mt. Diablo. Local heart, industrial-grade quality.

About the Creator

I'm Garth, a 25-year veteran of product engineering and children's book illustration. My goal is to bridge the gap between high-end mechanical design and the classic art of storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult are they to build?

They are generally easy to assemble and don’t require any tools, though a small awl or pointed object like a pen could come in handy for separating small interior pieces like windows.

Is glue necessary?

The joints are precision cut to fit together snuggly, so glue isn’t required. You can optional add a small drop of wood glue to some joints or small exterior signs to make them more durable or permanent.

How long do they take to assemble?

Most of the house kits can be completed in 30-40 minutes.

Are lights included?

Each house includes it’s own battery-powered LED light (battery included).

What kind of batteries and how long will they last?

The lights run on 2 CR2032 coin batteries which are widely available and easy to replace. Typical run time is 24-48 hours.

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Zig-Zag Pencil Box