OK, how was this done?

[Brian Penning]

I can't figure out how these dovetailed legs were done...

dovetaillegs.jpg

[Keith Westfall]

I would guess that they are mitered legs...

...but that's just a guess!

[John Tallyn]

The only thing I can think of, is maybe a veneer? I'm looking forward to someone with way more talent then I to explain the knowledge and abilities that went into creating these legs.
John

[James Watson]

My guess would be that the two dovetails are parallel to each other (not crossing), and 45 degrees from the faces of the legs. So each one goes from one leg face to an adjacent face, not the opposite face.

[steven sherman]

Brian

Check out this video, just as James said

http://www.creativecrafthouse.com/in...=187&chapter=0

[Kurt Cady]

They look like a leg version of those little trick boxes that house a ring or coin. I believe the DT are sliding DT cut at a 45 degree angle. It's an allusion on the surface.

I think Wood Mag had an article or a web article or a web plan that showed this as a technique for Xmas presents?

[Jim Matthews]

It's a woodworking Mensa joke!

Who else would be intrigued by this? How excellent.

+1 on JW's explanation

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...X5bolg&cad=rja

[Eric Pitts]

You can see it pretty clearly on one of the Woodwright's shop episodes. About 24 minutes in.

http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/video/2600/2613.html

[Jonathan Spool]

Well said James!

[george wilson]

The dovetails are at 45º as said. They used to keep several very old and well worn woodworking puzzles in the cabinet maker's shop in Wmsbg. One of them was the same effect. Probably made back in the 50's.

[glenn bradley]

DT's are on the diagonal as stated. It is one of those things that really bends your head till you see how simple it is. I've seen it on small boxes that seem impossible to open until you apply a little pressure on the bias ;-)

[Chris Padilla]

Hopefully this little Sketch-Up I whipped up helps explain this trick. Feel free to use the SU file.

[Bill Huber]

It's a woodworking Mensa joke!

Who else would be intrigued by this? How excellent.

+1 on JW's explanation

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...X5bolg&cad=rja

I looked at the doc on building it and it is not that hard, the only thing in reading it is why would both blocks not be the same size. One is cut to 1 1/8 and the other is cut to 1 1\4. I really didn't see where it was cutting the one block down, or am I just missing it.

[Mike Cruz]

I know I'm a little late, but good call James.

Bill, the blocks are probably different sizes because the legs are tapered.

[Bill Huber]

I know I'm a little late, but good call James.

Bill, the blocks are probably different sizes because the legs are tapered.

No they are not tapered or am I really missing something.