Welcome to Keegan's Corner!

Where Engineering Meets Curiosity... and Things Get Complicated.

​

​

​

Hello, World!

Well, look what we have here. Somehow, you've stumbled upon Keegan's Corner. Welcome to a little corner of the internet dedicated to mechanical puzzles, precision machining, engineering oddities, and the occasional idea that probably should have stayed on the drawing board.

​

​

​

​

​

This website is the creation of Jon Keegan — mechanical engineer, machinist, puzzle maker, and self-proclaimed normal guy, although those who know him might respectfully disagree :)

​

Keegan's Corner was created to share some of Jon's past, present, and future creations with fellow puzzle enthusiasts, collectors, builders, and anyone who appreciates a beautifully machined piece of metal that refuses to cooperate. Some creations are clever. Some are frustrating. Others might have you questioning your intelligence, Jon's sanity, or both. But that's half the fun!

​

Have a look around, stay curious, and remember — just because something moves doesn't mean you're getting anywhere.

​

So, Who's This Jon Guy?

Engineer by Education. Machinist by Experience. Tinkerer by Nature, that would be me.

I'm Jon Keegan, a mechanical engineer, machinist, designer, and lifelong tinkerer with a fascination for figuring out how things work. More importantly, I enjoy figuring out how to make them work in ways they probably weren't intended to.

​

My journey into engineering didn't just begin in a university classroom. It began on the manufacturing floor, where I was introduced to the world of machining, mechanical systems, and the realities of turning an idea into something you can actually hold in your hands. Those early experiences taught me lessons that no textbook ever could. I developed an appreciation for craftsmanship, precision, practical problem-solving, and the remarkable things that can be accomplished with a good machine, a sharp cutting tool, and a little ingenuity.

​

After many years of working while in school I eventually completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering, and then I went on to work in research and development, advanced manufacturing sectors, mechanical design and optimization for manufacture roles, and complex engineering electromechanical systems. Along the way, I've had opportunities to work alongside some exceptionally talented engineers, researchers, machinists, and technical professionals. I've learned something valuable from nearly everyone I've worked with, and I'm grateful for the experiences and people who have helped shape my career. Despite the degrees, technical experience, and fancy terminology, I've never lost my appreciation for getting my hands dirty and making things. I've always believed that a good engineer should understand not only how to design something, but also how to build it, troubleshoot it, and preferably fix it when things go sideways.

​

Why do I Make Puzzles?

There's something incredibly satisfying about taking an idea that exists only in your imagination and turning it into something tangible. For me, mechanical puzzles bring together many of the things I enjoy most: engineering, creativity, precision machining, experimentation, and the challenge of solving problems without obvious answers. I especially enjoy the design process, where the initial idea is usually the easy part. Making it work is where things get interesting.

​

A single puzzle might go through numerous design revisions, failed prototypes, machining operations, and unexpected discoveries before it ever reaches a finished state. Some ideas work almost immediately. Others fight back every step of the way. And a few probably deserve to remain buried in the scrap bin. But every now and then, after hours of frustration, something clicks. A mechanism finally behaves exactly as intended. A complicated design suddenly becomes elegantly simple. A seemingly impossible problem reveals a surprisingly clever solution. Those are the moments I enjoy most. The little eureka moments that make all the frustration worthwhile.

​

I don't design puzzles because I have to.

I design them because I genuinely enjoy the challenge of creating something unique, something interesting, and hopefully something that gives another curious mind a few hours of entertainment. Or frustration. Preferably both.

​

Some of my creations may eventually find their way into the hands of fellow collectors. Others may never make it beyond my own workshop.

That's perfectly fine with me.

​

For now, Keegan's Corner is simply a place to share those creations, document the process, and connect with others who appreciate the wonderfully strange world of mechanical puzzles.

​

What's Next?

Your Guess Is Probably as Good as Mine. There are always a few ideas floating around in my head. Some are scribbled on scraps of paper. Others exist as half-finished CAD models, unfinished prototypes, or mysterious pieces of metal sitting on the workbench. A few might eventually become puzzles worth sharing. Others will probably become expensive reminders that not every idea is a good one. But that's the beauty of creating things. You never really know where the next interesting challenge will come from.

 

My hope is to continue using Keegan's Corner to showcase new designs, revisit older projects, share a little of the engineering and machining behind the scenes, and perhaps make a few puzzles available to fellow enthusiasts along the way. If something here inspires you to solve a puzzle, build something, or simply look at an ordinary mechanical object a little differently, then I'd consider that a success.

​

Thanks for Stopping By!

I appreciate you taking the time to explore my little corner of the internet.

Whether you're a serious puzzle collector, a fellow machinist, an engineer, a curious tinkerer, or someone who accidentally wandered in and has no idea what any of this is about, you're welcome here.

Have a look around, enjoy the creations, and feel free to reach out.

There's always another puzzle to solve, another idea to explore, and another perfectly good trinket waiting to become something unnecessarily complicated.

 

​

​

​