"Fishtail" Box--A Jointery Experiment

That’s different – nice job – how about a blog so we can all give these a try?

That’s a pretty cool look. I would also be interested in a how to blog.

-- http://ragtimewoodwork.blogspot.com/

Okay, I’ll work on a “How To”. I’m setting up some better jigs as the initial setup was a bit scary at times.

That is a neat look – I would like to see how you do it too. I like the way you used two different colors.

-- Cov, Loomis, CA, http://www.covingtonwoodworks.com

I can think of at least 1 way to make the tails but am at a loss for the pins….please enlighten us thanks rt

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

Cool experiment Looks similar to the Leigh “Bear’s Ears” scheme. Like everyone else, I’m waiting for the messy details.

-- "Those are my principals, if you don't like them....I have others." - Groucho Marx

Neat.

I don’t know how it was really done but the pins could be cut using a plug cutter (the non-tapering sort) in a drill press and then a bit of hand work to clear the waste. I can imagine a jig that would fit on the drill press table with some arrangement for incrementing the work. The holes would be drilled by forstner bit to match the plug.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

This is a cool joint. I have a Route-R-Joint jig at home that allows similar joinery. You lay one piece flat and cut it on a template with a 1/8 inch vertical spiral upcut bit. Then, the joining piece gets turned 90 degrees where the endgrain is parallel with the table and you cut it with the same bit on a “reverse” matching template. It works good as long as you pay close attention to the setup. Nice job, I like this joint.

—Steve

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

One more vote for a blog on how to do this. They look very interesting.

Makes you wonder if the fishtail may be less prone to causing spliiting as there is less of a stress point like a conventional joint?

Any ideas?

Nippy

Ok, I’ll bite, how did you do this?

-- Bob A in NJ

I’m going to venture a guess on the pins. A standard round tenon cutter on the ends with thicker stock, then plane it to final thickness and establish the flats?? Pretty neat looking however you did it.

-- Use the fence Luke

how? I gotta know

-- www.robneves.com

These are very cool. Let me lend my voice to those calling for a blog- I think these would be really neat on a music box for my nieces. Nice job.

That is really different, but I like the idea! I would love to know how you set it up.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

Very cool and intriguing. Ok so how did you make the pins?

-- Sharp tools and thin whispy shavings make woodworking a joy.

Great idea for something new. Imagine opening a drawer on a piece of furniture and seeing that.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Pretty cool. I also want a ‘how I did it’ blog.

I think it might be easier to always cut the depths a little too deep and then trim the protruding tails with a block plane.

Good job,
Steve

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

Yes, yes! The “How To” is coming. I cut some stock to size last night and I’ll set everything up to mill the joints this weekend and post it all next week. I really didn’t anticipate this level of interest—THANKS!

By the way, DaveR & Doug S, you’re on the right track.

Very “bad”. (That’s good now’a days. I know because my daughter said so.i )

Good looking box and joints!

We’lllook for the “how to” description.

CB

-- Chesapeake Bob, Southern Maryland

Interesting and unique . I ‘m guessing you used a tenon cutter with a stop system and marked your joining piece and then drilled them out.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Thanks! I detailed the How To in a blog here: http://lumberjocks.com/danriffle/blog/5934

This is pretty far out.

The surface area of your joints must be astronomical – I wouldn’t be surprised if it never needed glue.