This strange crossword makes no sense (Cryptex Hunt 2022)

This strange crossword makes no sense
Cryptex Hunt 2022
Author(s)	Errol Elumir and Darren Miller
Answer	Click to revealCRETE, UNION
Links
Puzzle	Link

This strange crossword makes no sense is a cryptic crossword puzzle and the tenth puzzle of the 2022 Cryptex Hunt.

Solve Paths

 

The answers to the cryptic crossword clues are below:

Across

2. ADD - Definition - That's a plus

Wordplay - Even (letters of) HANDED

4. DYES - Definition - Stains

Wordplay - (found) inside TRENDY ESTABLISHMENT

5. TR - Definition - Turkey's current domain

Wordplay - THE ROOSTERS initially (first letters)

7. CUT - Definition - Nick

Wordplay - take LISTS away from CULTISTS

9. SUBZONE - Definition - Sector

Wordplay - explode (anagram) ZEN BUS around circle (insert O)

Down

1. GREY - Double definition - Dismal and Dirty Dancing actress (Jennifer GREY)

2. ARTS - Definition - Creative efforts

Wordplay - RATS dance (anagram)

3. DON'T - Definition - Taboo to

Wordplay - DROP NUTS unevenly (odd letters)

4. DASHES - Definition - Runs

Wordplay - plastic (anagrammed) SHADES

6. ROTATE - Definition - Turn around

Wordplay - ROW TATE said (homophoned)

7. COMB - Definition - Teeth in your hair

Wordplay - Unending COMBAT

8. TO-DO - Definition - Outstanding tasks

Wordplay - Overdose (a common clue for the shorthand OD) in the outskirts of TORONTO -> T(OD)O

10. ZOOM - Definition - Teleconference

Wordplay - ZED with SOLO STUDIO ALBUM finishes (last letters)

Solvers may notice that some cells of the crossword have a small bump, or bolt, in each corner (italicized in the above list). Combining this with the Pixel Puzzles diagram in the lower right corner, they should find connections between the lengths of the entries that contain these bolts and the lengths of the rows in the diagram.

In fact, if the correct entries are selected (accounting for the ones at intersections), these words can be placed so the cells with the bolts land on the highlighted spaces in the diagram. These highlighted letters spell this puzzle's first answer.

Part 1 Final Answer: Click to revealCRETE.

 

After completing the first half of this puzzle, solvers should read the words they used to form their final answer. In the order that they've been placed in the diagram, they read "CUT GREY DASHES, DON'T ROTATE". Looking very closely (so that they can see the individual pixels), solvers should be able to spot grey dashes in between certain cells of the grid. Not only that, but they should also spot some longer, brown dashes, in groups of 1-7. Once the grid has been cut up, solvers should rearrange the pieces so that edges that share a pattern of dashes meet, but taking care not to move the pieces with the bolts on them (as they have been "bolted" to the surface). Doing so properly should spell out the final answer using the shapes of the resulting pieces.

Part 2 Final Answer: Click to revealUNION.