Do you guys remember this crazy thing?

[bleedinblue]

Delete if already posted, I couldn't find it.  

This video on this concept floated around a year or two ago before it disappeared.  It looks like Rockler put it into production.  It will be interesting if it works like they say.

[freedhardwoods]

That looks very interesting.

[Tpt life]

It's been posted but nobody knows what to call it yet. I am not interested. I don't desire to do the math to miter ply boxes. Just my preference. Not poking anybody who does. 

[bleedinblue]

I know it was posted when the guy put out the concept video, but I didn't know it had been posted since it was released that someone had started making it.  I'll likely never own one, just because to me it looks like a time saver just for shop and utility drawers.  Any project drawers deserve better joinery, and I'm sure this thing will cost upwards of $300.

I wonder how strong the drawer or box bottoms would be?  It looks to me like they'd still need pins or splines to add strength, otherwise it'd be little to no stronger than a regular glued miter joint. 

[Cochese]

I don't know if I'd buy one, but I'm all for new ideas. 

[bleedinblue]

Kinda how I am.  95% chance I won't buy one, but I do like the concept and I'm impressed by the guy's idea.

[Tpt life]

True that. If this concept occurred to him, what's next?

[JosephThomas]

Here's a link to the inventor's youtube channel (Andrew Klein), specifically a playlist called "Inventions" where he has a couple videos about the plywood/box blade and some clamps he is working on:

 

[BonPacific]

Glad to hear this guys invention is making it to market.

[wdwerker]

It's just a version of an existing idea. In the early 90's I was building a lot of commercial laminate cabinets. I bought a system that used special bits in routers to miter fold the face and 4 edges and eliminate the brown lines on laminate doors. It used masking tape as a hinge. 

[wtnhighlander]

True that. If this concept occurred to him, what's next?

A 200-tooth version?

[ben_r_]

Awesome he was finally able to get it out. Pretty cool that Rockler picked it up. Im sure he'll sell a bit of them. I have no interest in one but it is a cool idea. I wonder if it would work in a SawStop though.

[Guest]

Seems too cute and gadgety to me, but apparently Rockler (or its customers) like that kind of thing, because they have all kinds of gadgets.    It really seems like a solution looking for a problem.  There are dozens of ways to make a drawer box, from simple to complicated, and I don't need another one.  

[bleedinblue]

It looks like the guy who invented it is basically neighbors with Marc, so I bet he makes an appearance in a WW video to demonstrate.

[jplemons]

I think it's pretty cool that he worked on this and now is able to see it come to market. I like gadgets, so depending on the price, I might buy it.

[Isaac]

Just watched his video from the above link. First impression, he seems like a nice, thoughtful guy.

In the video he address some of the common questions.

First people ask about just using a 45 degree router bit. He notes that most cheaper conical type router bits don't come to a sharp point, which means they won't actually allow the sort of fold up closing he's employing. He notes that bits do exist that have a sharp point, but these typically cost around $100. We don't know the price of his system to compare, but it does suggest the router alternative might not be so much cheaper.

He also mentions from his experience the work piece having a tendency to climb up the router bit, resulting in inconsistent depth.

Finally, with straight miter bits or table saw cut miter joints, you have less glue surface area than his joint, and his joint naturally interlocks, making clamping easier, vs. miter surfaces which can (and do) slide past each other.

Anyhow, I thought his assessment was quite fair, he's not saying the alternatives are impossible. He seems to be the kind of guy who knows there is always more than one way to do something in wood working, he just feels his is a good option.

I don't really work with plywood much, nor do I mass produce in the sort of quantity that would justify specialized tools of this sort, but I appreciate his attitude and contribution here.