Building an Impossible Dovetail Cutting Board

The video “Building an Impossible Dovetail Cutting Board” is by Fix This Build That. It’s a fascinating journey into the world of woodworking, where creativity meets precision.

The Journey Begins

Embarking on the journey of creating an impossible dovetail cutting board, Brad dives into the intriguing world of puzzle boxes. The impossible dovetail, renowned for its locking joints on all four sides, presents a unique challenge: it seems impossible to assemble. The goal was to scale up this concept and make it even cooler.

Pile of wood cutoffs

From Cutoffs to Masterpiece

Starting with a pile of cutoffs from past cutting board projects, the process begins with milling the wood. Black walnut, an old friend, gets a new lease on life. Using waterproof glue ensures the boards will withstand kitchen use. While the boards dry, it’s time to delve into the digital realm of CNC design.

Gluing thicker boards

Digital Designs

Entering the digital world, the first step was sketching a model in SketchUp. However, turning this idea into reality required more than just a 2D design. With Fusion 360, a small prototype of a single sliding dovetail was modeled, marking a foray into 3D cutting with the X-Carve CNC from Inventables.

Sketchup model of dovetail

The CNC Challenge

Testing the CNC’s capabilities was no small feat. Calibration was key, and after several attempts, a dovetail that fits snugly was achieved. The challenge was to maintain a tight fit without any wobble, and through perseverance, success was finally in sight.

CNC machine in action

From Concept to Reality

With the boards ready and smooth, the next step was to transform them into end grain cutting boards. By cutting them into sections and turning them 90 degrees, the intricate patterns of the grain came to life. The focus was to highlight the dovetail feature, not the top, leading to a strategic rearrangement of the pieces.

End grain patterns

The First Cut

Nervous yet excited, the first actual cut on the ingrained board was made. The CNC hummed away, and despite the dust, the results were promising. The dovetail cut turned out crisp and clean, paving the way for the complementary female dovetail on the walnut board.

CNC cutting dovetail

The Impossible Joint

With magnets to hold the pieces in place, it was time to tackle the impossible dovetail joint. Using test pieces, the intricate process of crafting this challenging joint began. The fit was tight, and the result was a puzzle that looked like four separate joints but was actually two, cut at 45-degree angles.

Impossible dovetail joint assembled

Final Touches

After intense modeling and meticulous machining, the full-size board took shape with three dovetails across, creating a stunning effect. The final assembly was challenging, requiring careful adjustments and sanding, but the result was a beautifully fitted piece.

Final assembly of dovetail board

The Finished Product

The impossible dovetail cutting board came together perfectly, with a smooth finish and a satisfying fit. The friction ensured it wouldn’t slide apart, and the final look was nothing short of amazing. A masterpiece that showcases the art of woodworking and the beauty of the impossible dovetail.

Finished dovetail cutting board

Video

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