16d BrainTeaser

[aiyou]

The setup: Drive a single 16d nail approximately 1 inch into a block of wood (as straight as possible).

The objective: Balance 13 additional 16d nails on the head of the first nail, without using any additional objects (no glue, magnets etc) or outside influence.

Yes, it can be done...have fun! My apologies if someone has posted this in the past.

--Rob

[LCHIEN]

does the end result look something like a xmas tree with the pointy ends of the 13 add'l nails leaning against the head of the 1st nail and the heads of them resting on the block of wood?

[aiyou]

Clever, but no...the 13 balanced nails do not contact the wood block.

[cabinetman]

Lay down one nail, and across the nail alternate the nails so that the heads are close to the bottom nail. When they are all laid out, lay another nail on top in between the heads. Lift the nails and balance the one bottom nail on the head. Is that it?
.

[ironhat]

C.man has it, I believe. Here's what he's describing with 12 nails but one more would have fit the configuration. http://www.metacafe.com/watch/304614...a_dozen_nails/

[aiyou]

bonus points to C'man and Ironhat....that solves this one.