Modernizing the best Woodworking Joint to use for 3D Printing

Quite a few viewers requested this video, so here it is!

In the previous video I showed a brief segment showing this connection that I created, which is my take on an old and wonderful connection which has been used in Woodworking since the dawn of Woodworking. Having made many a dovetail connection by hand in my days as a Woodworker, I thought it was a connection worthy of some attention in 3D printing as well. In this video I show you the process of how to create a variety of different levels of sliding dovetail connection in Fusion 360 and of course we 3D print them and see how they come together.

For this video, I've used the Bambu X1C and the QIDI Q1 and the results were quite good from both printers. The filament was Bambu PETG-CF in Brick Red and in Titan Grey linked below (I receive a small commission if purchased through my link and it helps me continue to make videos like these):

Fusion Files:

If you'd like to see more connections, let me know. I'll also be working on a more interactive way to present these walkthroughs on the computer.

Another way to support this channel indirectly is through my affiliate links (where I receive a small commission). It helps me to continue to provide high-quality content videos. Thank you for your support!

NEW MIC (I bought this)

[BambinoPinguino]

Finding a 3D printing channel with more of an engineering focus instead of printing toys and cosplay is so refreshing. I generally make practical prints at home and have been struggling with improving my designs, I look forward to digging into your vids 👍

[MarkusArkus]

Instantly subbed when you said all your tolerances for each feature. So useful.

[Hallo]

I can't tell you how many times I've scrolled passed this video looking for how to make press fits to join long designs, just because I saw "woodworking" in the title and thought it wasnt a video on 3d printing. Now I have the perfect designs to join anything without any hardware, thank you!

[Garage]

This is awesome! That curved dovetail with a lock is especially sweet. Taking a concept from the woodworking world and creating something that can't practically be done with wood, but is easily done with 3D printing. Really appreciate the great ideas!

[propertywalkthroughs]

It took me 5 hours to do this myself even with the tutorial but I freaking did it! This was my very first time using Fusion so I had to learn a lot of basics along the way that you covered in about 3 seconds lol. Thank you so much, I learned a ton from doing this.

[stew]

Absolutely awesome tutorial Mike! The creation of joining pieces seems to be something of an art that is often overlooked in a world where we can just buy larger printers, but I think you've really opened up a lot of opportunities for those with smaller build area printers here.

[BamTehBrent]

That's CAD was *chef's kiss*

[LTAdventurephoto]

This helped me so much. Using Dovetails to join a cup portion of a cup holder with the clip portion allowed me to print the clip in the correct orientation so the layer lines were perpendicular to the bending motion. Had to replace 13 cup holders with my new design incorporating the dovetail but they are strong AF now and these joins have completely opened up my mind for designing parts now.

[sphygo]

Those are not only really strong, but also very attractive joints. The beauty of dovetails, and even more so when you make them with sweeping edges!

[EPeltzer]

Love this, because as a small-time woodworker I've done a few dovetails and then abandoned them cuz they're just too time consuming. But cad and 3D printers make this far easier. But this is not just for parts that are too long to fit in your printer. An assembly that needs to be disassembled in future could benefit from this, if there's room for the joint. Screws are very fiddly and time-consuming and anytime you can replace screws with something designed into the plastic that's a win.

[NsRhea]

First time seeing one of your videos in my feed. Instant sub! I think the 3D printing community can learn a lot from the woodworking community.

[charleselkins]

You are clearly skilled in 3D design. This video is suitable for other designers with significant experience.

[eccd]

This video might be the most useful video i have ever watched on 3D printing and ive been obsessed with this hobby for 6 or so years. Good shit bro

[schrectacular]

Really cool. One advantage of the dovetail in woodworking is that the joint stays tight as the wood expands and contracts with changes moisture content and temperature - not such an issue with plastics.

I would love to see some heuristic strategies around which joints to use under which types of loads. In this video it looks like you are making longer rods which could see very different stress patterns depending on use. It would be interesting to hear which styles cope with which stress patterns best.

[matthewharding]

Hi Mike,
This was so beautiful to watch. I used to build modified timber Frame homes and fun timber frame like furniture. My body doesn’t want to do that kind of thing anymore even though my mind does. I also have worked with the blind for the past 30 years and ‘recently’, ten years, started playing, designing, exploring board games and how to accessorize, make accessible, and bling out in that hobby subculture. This video almost made me cry to see how beautiful and functional we can make things. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Can’t wait to delve deeper into your channel :)

[metalheadmaker]

Makes so much sense for 3D printed parts. I'm now kicking myself for not doing it on countless projects. Amazing work.

[Alluvian]

First time viewer, Youtube finally put one of your videos in a feed for me which seems like a no brainer as I watch a lot of wordworking and 3d printing videos. The work you mention in your intro truly does come through, as the video surely does not suck.

[Sierra-op]

Fantastic idea to adopt woodworking techniques for 3D printing! My two hobbies synergistically melding together:)

[Javiermn]

I've been using dove tails in my designs for a while but that one along a curve is pretty sick. Thanks for sharing it!

[SyrusDrake]

I recently designed a little desktop shelf, using dovetail joints. I mostly just winged it through trial and error. Just getting some recommendations for clearances is already incredibly helpful, but those "new" joints are amazing. I'm definitely going to try them out when another project calls for them!