as requested on support…
I’m trying to make a box that has the sides fit together (like dove tail but straight) interlocking
where the dimensions are:
open-front case which is ~27.25" wide, 45" tall, and 6" deep using stock just a bit less than 3/4" (0.718) thick
and the file’s initial state is:
First we draw the back of the case:
as well as the sides:
and the top and bottom:
Duplicate everything in place:
Select each duplicate in turn and edit the dimensions:
and align at the edge:
Then duplicate and align the duplicates:
and mirror:
For each set of box joints will will be necessary to draw and position and format geometry to match:
Dividing by the desired number of joint elements:
Once one has a piece of geometry of the desired size:
which is in the correct position:
It may be duplicated as necessary using a Linear Array:
OK
and then T-bones (or dogbones) added where appropriate:
then select everything:
and use Region Builder to build up the desired geometry:
Done
Mirror and repeat as necessary:
Yes
Done
For the sides, recreate the geometry:
Done
To get the horizontal version of the _T_s it will be necessary to copy-paste and rotate:
Done
Then align:
Ok
As before, select:
and use Region Builder:
Yes
Duplicate:
Mirror Vertical:
and drag into alignment and then use Region Builder:
Yes
Done
Repeat for the other edges using appropriate divisions.
Draw geometry which describes the region which one wishes to fill with joinery:
and then divide by the desired number of joinery units:
and drag into alignment:
Then use Linear Array:
to replicate as desired
OK
As before, every other rectangle will need to have T-bones added:
but because they are directional it will be necessary to swap the rectangle dimensions:
and then after adding the Tees, rotate
Done
and then duplicate and position as appropriate.
Then select all the geometry to be used for the top/bottom:
and use Region Builder to construct the desired geometry:
Yes
If a region won’t allow adding as desired, finish the operation and then mirror or otherwise adjust the selection/geometry to arrive at the desired result
Done
Once finished a part may be duplicated:
Mirrored
and moved into alignment:
OK
Repeat for the vertical joinery, adjusting for the need to fill in the back corners along the sides.
Have you tried gcrafter? it would do all this for you in about 2 minutes. Adjust your bit size on the fly, change finger sizes in all dimensions. Dogbones, T-Bones. You can get a free account to just make boxes.
That would cost $15/month if used for commercial work, and I’ve covered using other free tools for this sort of thing at:
I also don’t see that it includes dog or tee-bones, which was the crux of the request.
That said, if I wanted to use a program, I’d use my own:
and do full-blind box joints:
for which I have a matching .c2d template file which imports the resultant DXF:
c.f.,
Has anyone tried using boxes.py to create the box? I have used it with my lasers and you can set the kerf and export the file as a dxf. I tried designing one there and it imported into CC properly, but I did not try to cut it out.
My understanding is that it is like:
as used at:
and it doesn’t have an option for dog or tee-bones (being intended for lasers), so won’t work with a reasonably-sized tool (read something significantly larger than a laser).
Your technique for fingers is pretty cool. I’ve been thinking about how to do that in a automated way. Like start with the base part, with a curved fingers, then create the STL that matches all the fingers for that part face, you can drop on top in Carbide create to do the machining. Something for another day.
Bones are in there (T or otherwise),
Dogbones
T-Bones on the short edge
T-Bones on the long edge
Mix and Match
Mortise and Tenon
And for what it’s worth, curved fingers
The SVG
And the Carbide Create files also exported directly from the app
Open Case-birch-0.75inx1219.2x1219.2-sheet-1.c2d (116 KB)
Open Case-birch-0.75inx1219.2x1219.2-sheet-2.c2d (52 KB)
Happy making!
This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.
