How to sketch a dovetail pin?

[Anonymous]

I need to sketch a dovetail pin on an edge. I need 2, so I will create one and then mirror it to the other side. Once I determine my location, would I use the polygon tool, reduce the sides to 3, and then locate it on the face so that the point is buried? Since my wall thickness is only 1/8 inch, I am concerned the point might come through. I can then extrude it to the length I need.

Does this sound right or am I overthinking it? Easier/better way? How would you do it?

[JDMather]

 You don't locate your sketch at the origin, but the rest of the steps...

(turn on your sound)  (I assume my example is "upside down" from what you are after.)

[etfrench]

@JDMather shows how to create a single tail that can be added to existing object.  Here's how I would create a dovetail joint:

Note:  The mirror command could have been used instead of the pattern command if only two pins and tails were needed.

p.s. If you just want a single dovetail along the entire length of the board, then just change the width of the board in the video to the width of your board and use appropriate dimensions for the dovetail. 

[Anonymous]

Thanks JD, but a new problem has surfaced. I followed your instructions (I think) and got one dovetail sketched the way that I want it. But for some reason I can not select it so as to mirror it to the other side. I can bring up the mirror panel and select the mirror plane, but can not get the dovetail to go blue. What did I mess up?

EDIT: attached file

[etfrench]

Here's one way to do it:

[Anonymous]

I still can not select the dovetail. I can perform the split body procedure, but when I try to select the dovetail - even using the browser and trying to select Body 4 - it will not select and turn blue.

[etfrench]

Can you make a screencast so we can see how you are doing this?

Another way to make the dovetails is to back up the timeline and recreated the first dovetail as a new component instead of joining it to the main body. You can then mirror it and join both to the main body.

[Anonymous]

Sorry but I do not know how to do a screencast, too new to all of this.

So what you are saying is to recreate the dovetail in space in front of the main body, mirror it with a midpoint line, and then attach to the main body. How do I attach them?

[etfrench]

I'd recommend going to the learning site and working through a few of the tutorials.  This video will show you how to use the Modify menu: http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-39A3A3D9-F440-44E8-9664-B2370FD4CFD8

[indigofish]

Exceptional Help! I have a question. If lets say you like to create a drawer, 4panels that are connected with dovetails, how you would construct it if, as you here, like in the future to change the numbers and form of the dovetails and the size of the drawer, without you start over again?

[g-andresen]

Hi,

1. Open parameterlist und create variables for all dimension you need

2. Create sketches and dimension it using your personal parameters.

4. Pattern the elements using p-parameters 

günther