The new version of the Advanced box joint jig plans are now finished and will be available this coming Saturday. The plans for this jig, and all future plans, will be a single PDF download, and won’t include the SketchUp model. I have various reasons for doing this, but primarily to make the plans easier to use and try to cut down on after the sale support emails from people unfamiliar with ZIP compression or the SketchUp program.

For every one of the plans that are currently available for sale, the SketchUp model was only there for reference, and not actually needed to build the project. This has been an ongoing source of problems from the start, as some builders were trying to print plans directly from the SketchUp model, instead of using the printable plans.
The fact that the plans needed to be packaged into a single ZIP file was (is) also a problem, with some people unaware that the plans needed to be unzipped before using them, despite having this prominently posted on each of the plan sales pages and in the READ ME! file that comes with the plans. I have had several emails from frustrated customers regarding this. I can understand that not everyone is completely familiar with the ins and outs of using a computer, but, at the same time, in order to keep the price of the plans low, I need to limit my time spent on these issues. I think the switch to a PDF file will fix these problems.
PDF is such a well know and universal format, there are few people that haven’t had experience with it.
The new plans still include all of the details on building the jig and are easily printed, and for this one (and others in the future), there will be an expanded, more in depth website article on the construction, plus two videos going through the assembly and setup of the jig.
It was my intention to get the larger version of the jig ready as well, but that would have pushed the release much further ahead. Instead, that version will be next up and should be finished over the next few weeks.

After that, stay tuned for the completed drill press accessory cabinet:

It’s already a very valuable addition to the shop. Finally, a place to quickly store my drill press table when I need to do some metal work. The perfect location for the drill press vises – easy to reach when needed. The cubbies provide plenty of storage for the other, less frequently used items I have.

The drawers are used for odd drill bits and other accessories of various types and lengths:

And the slat wall front panel is where the most used bits go. The cabinet could also be fitted with a glass panel door (or two doors), but I feel for me that would just get in the way and be too inconvenient.

There will be a full construction article about this and plans to build your own coming soon.