Easy Locking Joint Maker

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jimandi5000
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Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jimandi5000 »

Hello All,

I am back at it again. ;)

Please have a look at this new gadget I just completed, the "Locking Joint Maker". It is like a Dovetail joint but no dovetail bit needed.

With the user input dialog, this thing draws the material stock on 2 layers (End and Side layer) and then it draws the milling objects on it own layers.
I added a clearance function so that you can adjust the fit of the "End Broad" milling.

Let me know if something is not working as you think it should.
Attachments
Lock1.jpg
Lock2.jpg
EasyLockJoint.zip
(4.46 KiB) Downloaded 268 times
Thanks,
Jim

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jfederer
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jfederer »

Thanks Jim. There is a typo... "thinkness"... which can be easily edited in the LUA file of course. I'm new to Gadgets, and don't see how to import the LUA file - VCarve is expecting a .vgadget file.

These are so close to the joint I developed I'd really like to play with this gadget and learn from it.
Joe Federer

www.fabrikisto.com incl. Tailmaker software
www.federer.ca

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Adrian
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by Adrian »

If you rename the .zip file to be .vgadget you should be able to do the automatic install with VCarve.

kzeyus
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by kzeyus »

Interesting. Will have to play with it when things slow down
Ken Zey
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jimandi5000
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jimandi5000 »

jfederer wrote:Thanks Jim. There is a typo... "thinkness"... which can be easily edited in the LUA file of course. I'm new to Gadgets, and don't see how to import the LUA file - VCarve is expecting a .vgadget file.

These are so close to the joint I developed I'd really like to play with this gadget and learn from it.
Hi jfederer,


Yep, I am "Very" dyslexic, so spelling is not a strongest attribute for me. ;) So, I will update the code and resubmit it a update and one more item... My son cut these this joints this morning on our CNC mill and told me the Datum position (0,0) is not correct for the side broad ; I need to move it out the side stock and milling path the stock thickness so the cut is correct. :)

Please dive in the code, I am posting my gadgets for everyone to review, learn from and provide feedback (positive or negative) so the entire user group steps in and tries to write their own gadgets. Let me be clear, I am not a good programmer... I am just a guy that is standing on the shoulders of great programmers.

When we all learn we all win.
Thanks,
Jim

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jimandi5000
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jimandi5000 »

Ok... Here is version 1.2...

Have a look and let me know if you see any errors or issues. :)

inside the Zip file is the
.vgadget
file... unzip and load with the Gadget tool.
Attachments
EasyLockJointVersoin1.2.zip
(10.31 KiB) Downloaded 219 times
LockJoints.jpg
Thanks,
Jim

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jimandi5000
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jimandi5000 »

Well...

Here are some test joints my son did today in the shop after I made the updates to the Gadget. :D
Attachments
Joints.jpg
Joints2.jpg
Thanks,
Jim

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jfederer
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jfederer »

Jim, thanks for re-posting this. I just successfully installed it and ran some test designs. I hadn't understood, until I saw your example pictures, that this is a 90 degree face joint. The one I designed is a replacement for a mortise and tenon - only on the face instead of internal to the receiving piece. I didn't even think of extending it to the full panel width. That's a great idea and one I'll try at some point. I've been using Fingermaker for that type of corner joint. This will be a nice variation.

The only issue I see is scaling. If the joint diameter is larger it messes up the design. When I get a chance I'll dive into the LUA code and see about applying an overall scaling factor.
Joe Federer

www.fabrikisto.com incl. Tailmaker software
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jimandi5000
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jimandi5000 »

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the note. I tried a 2 x 6 joint with a 0.5 dia finger and it looks okay to me. When I can get back in the shop I will cut one on the mill. Please have a look at the code and let me know if you think we should make any changes.
Attachments
2x6.jpg
Thanks,
Jim

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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jfederer »

Hi Jim,

I retract what I said re: scaling. I just did some more intense experimentation and your Gadget works fine. I just had to realize that trying to fit a half inch radius into a 6" board with 3 or more joints just wasn't physically possible. Stay within sensible limits, and it does what I expect. Nice work!

Joe
Joe Federer

www.fabrikisto.com incl. Tailmaker software
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jimandi5000
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jimandi5000 »

jfederer wrote:Hi Jim,

I retract what I said re: scaling. I just did some more intense experimentation and your Gadget works fine. I just had to realize that trying to fit a half inch radius into a 6" board with 3 or more joints just wasn't physically possible. Stay within sensible limits, and it does what I expect. Nice work!

Joe
Happy Time
Attachments
images.jpg
Thanks,
Jim

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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by BigC »

I wish I had Gadgets :cry:

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jimandi5000
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jimandi5000 »

What do you need?
Thanks,
Jim

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jimandi5000
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by jimandi5000 »

New version... 1.3!!! I added test on the drawings to help remember the settings.
Attachments
Joint3.jpg
EasyLockJoint.zip
(10.62 KiB) Downloaded 221 times
Joint4.jpg
Thanks,
Jim

BigC
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Re: Easy Locking Joint Maker

Post by BigC »

jimandi5000 wrote:What do you need?
VCP for a start :lol:
I only have Desktop. (for now) I cannot justify paying for PRO. I'd rather wait until I'm further along the learned path and purchase Aspire (one day)
But your joint maker sure looks a handy item.
Regards
C

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