I will see Nick (my son) tomorrow night. I think you will like what he came up with – I have never seen anything like it.

I would most likely consider making offset male dovetails by using a wooden shim on the fence as opposed to changing the fence setting.

The storage solution for the HP6 is on my list–

Thanks for the comments! We would all like to see the bed if possible.

–John

On another note, I was thinking that it is somewhat fitting that the sliding dovetail attachment for the HP-6 is the perfect tool for making a tool chest for the HP-6. Since our tool potentate will adding to the HP-6 arsenal we can just add layers to the chest via sliding dovetails! How cool is that?

I will see my son this weekend and ask him if he will let me post the bed pictures. I’m sure he will but since it is his design I need to ask.

Speaking of tool potentates, how could I have possibly doubted?

DJ

Hell yes!

-Rutager

– Peter

Peter, I have given myself so many head slaps over the years I should make a citizen’s arrest of myself, turn myself in, and then represent myself in court against my physical abuse charges. Once sentenced, I could switch to simply banging my head against the bars…

–John

Dennis – I’d love to see some pictures of your son’s bed. Any chance of posting them on John’s forum?

– Peter

The depth stop capacity for these skids is for all of our dado kits, not just this new system. We could make smaller ones for the dovetail kit, but I would need to hear a chorus of “hell yes!” before we do it.

What kind of Tool Potentate would I be if this doesn’t work exactly as described in this totally awesome and worthless blog?

Lastly, a 1/2 degree tapered dovetail does indeed lock tighter than Fort Knox. Well, you get the idea…

This joint has gone from “almost impossible” to a series of basic steps. It will repeat which is why it is sensitive variations in stock thickness, AND, making sure the edges (ends) of both the taper guide and the dovetail gage are ALWAYS flush with the narrow edge of both male and female.

–John

Just how accurate is this system? I’m thinking this has never really been conquered. I have made sliding dovetails on occasion and they are an excercise in patience. very small cuts and lots of “fitting” to get them to “lock up” where you want them to. In my mind, the final test is that the joint slides freely until nearly in place and then tightens up and locks into place when exactly in the correct lateral position. I assume you have made one of these by now and it actually does a repeatable job on this point? I’m thinking (as example) sliding dovetails for a book case shelf set. If, in fact, this system delivers it, you have conquered a new frontier!

coincidently, my son is making a Japanese style bed with tatami mat and has done his own design for it. His very first hand fit jointery is making 4 sliding dovetail joints which hold the entire bed together! It is a VERY cool design. I’m proud of him – the joints fit well and lock the bed togther incredibly well. It can be broken down into a pile of boards for moving if desired and re-assembled in minutes.

Nice job (again),

Dennis