Hand Tools doings #5: Third try - hand cut dovetails ---- Sooooo much better

This is even better than the last post. You are an inspiration to all of us struggling to cut these joints.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

Betsy, I have yet try what you’re doing, and I like the progress you’ve made, but more than anything I admire your willingness to try, try again. I am certain that you will conquer this joint.

Thanks for inspiring me.

-b

You have amazing patience. Your practice will pay off. Hope you’re feeling better?!

-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us

Betsy,

Tremendous progress in such a short time! You are to be commended!

When I finished my first set of dovetails, I rather timidly showed them to a non-woodworker friend who collects antique blanket chests. I apologized for some of the rather sloppy fit on some of the joints. I figured the 18th and 19th century craftspersons all made perfectly fitting dovetail joints. He then asked me to carefully inspect the dovetails on the some of his blanket chests. Much to my surprise, many of the joints had small shims to close the imperfections in the gaps. He told me that this was not an uncommon practice. Seems some of the craftspersons were not as skilled as we are lead to believe.

That said, we all strive for perfection so keep practicing and the skills will come. A sharp chisel, a marking knife and a light touch will serve you well.

Lew

-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Betsy,
It is like riding a bicycle… Once you get it, you get it. keep up the good work, you’re doing fine. If you would like some help with the layout, check out this link. http://www.blocklayer.com/Woodjoints/DovetailEng.aspx

Sincerely,
Tom

-- Anybody can become a woodworker, but only a Craftsman can hide his mistakes.

try getting a DVD on the subject. There are TONS of them. I am was pretty good at them, and then I picked up a couple DVD’s on it and WOW….even better and faster as well.

Proper tools help, but it really is the person that makes the difference. Oh…and if i haven’t made any in awhile, I will practice on some scrap or make some shop related box to get back in practice.

Let us know how you do

Getting better all the time – As the Beatles would say.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

Nobody cut perfect dovetails on the first attempt. It is a skill like any other, it must be learned through practice. One of the magazine editors (I think Chris Schwartz) wrote about cutting about ten a day for 30 days in his quest to learn it. Keep at it.

Thanks for all your comments guys. I appreciate the encouragement and the help!

I like the idea of shims to——always a way to get around things.

Tom – that site is awesome.

Matt – I have some of those videos. But nothing substitutes actually doing. Kind of makes it all make sense when you actually start cutting.

Blake – yes I am getting better. I’ve been twidling a bit in the “power shop” the last week or so. Not to much though. I’m worried about getting my chairs done for the charity auction that’s set for April 5. But I’m almost done – I have to do the footstools and table. But those are pretty quick and very easy projects. Long and short though I am feeling better. Thanks for thinking of me.

-- Like a bad penny, I keep coming back!

Just keep on practicing, & it’ll gradually come to you.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Betsy,

Now we are getting someplace – these look much better! You have made great progress ins a short amount of time.

The thing that I see now is that the pins have some pieces missing. That could be a signal that you have dull chisels and pieces ar breaking off when chopping out the waste. But, I also think that you could benefit when sawing the pins to cut just to the waste side of the line. Remember that if you did tails first and then marked the pins with a pencil, you are marking adjacent to the tail and that material still needs to stay there (based on the thickness of the pencil line. There might be some light paring necessary to fit them but, you will substantially reduce the gaps.

Your next set is going to be great!

-- Mark, Webster New York, Visit my website at http://thecraftsmanspath.com

Keep it up. Definitely an acquired skill. (And one I know I haven’t acquired yet!)

Horray you’ve nearly got them keep up the practice and you’ll get there

-- A. Molloy

Great progress. I know what you mean by dull chisles, I have to sharpen mine as well. Looking for a new set though. I only have a $5 dollar set right now that is okay but need a nice set.

-- Tyler, Illinois

betsy,

you really need to find a way to sharpen those chisels. the difference in performance and the pleasure of working with a hand tool will be like night and day. what looks and feels like a struggle will be very different with a sharp tool. to tell you the truth the choices for sharpening are many and a lot of them work quite well. you’ll have to do some research for yourself to see what you are willing to do/learn and what you’re willing to spend. i use sanhpaper and glass along with a veritas honing guide. the set up cost was about $100 to get started. there are a couple of machines mentioned and reviewed here that apparently work quite well if you don’t want to spend a lot of time sharpening and or learning about sharpening. the machines will cost more, about two and three times as much, some cost more. veritas and worksharp are the two that come to mind.

one more time because i found it remarkable. working with a sharp tool is a totally different experience.

good luck and keep practicing,

-- Greg, CT