Thread: the impossible dovetail. ?

Originally Posted by Lignum

Nice pic Zen, the bits i filled in is how it was cut and the measurments are for Sheddie.

The odd measurement (6 and 7mm) is only because i didnt use a guage just freehanded it apart from a sliding bevel for the angle.

Hmmm. You imply that the internal geometry is as per this diagram, which I find hard to believe.

Zen, that is "exactly" how i cut the two peices

Originally Posted by Lignum

Zen, that is "exactly" how i cut the two peices

In that case, I think I know how you did it. What's more, I think I know what the clue is in both the eBay pic and in your pic. Now the trick is to verify my idea without giving it away.

Yes make one and enjoy the bragging rights, but let the others also try to work it out

And Sheddie is right, Their wont be a 5 oclock clue as their have already been way to many as it is

OK: no giving away of solutions until I give it a try in the shed tonight. If it works, I promise to post a photo of my completed version.

Originally Posted by zenwood

OK: no giving away of solutions until I give it a try in the shed tonight. If it works, I promise to post a photo of my completed version.

..and the "how to" for Jake and me....please

I am not going to bother with this. It’s so elementary.

Elementary, my dear Wongo

Originally Posted by jmk89

..and the "how to" for Jake and me....please

Do we need a poll: to post, or not to post a solution?

Does this give me bragging rights?

Originally Posted by custos

I think you are thinking of the so-called "impossible dovetail". Here is a picture of it and the simple solution. I like this type of puzzle because it plays on our inbuilt assumptions -- actually woodworkers who understand dovetails often find this harder to figure out than people with no woodworking experience, and hence no preconceptions.

Custos, any chance of telling us noobs how to do this cube one ?

Originally Posted by javali

Does this give me bragging rights?

Not up to me to decide - it's Lignum's call (but if I were him, in this age of digital cameras, I would want to see the two separate pieces and the method of putting them together before awarding bragging rights).

Well done Jav It appears you got it right. PM me the magic trick (the first to do so will get it) and ill endorse your great effort

Originally Posted by Lignum

Zen, that is "exactly" how i cut the two peices

But you didn't stop cutting there though me thinks.......
Getting my head around this.