Getting back to the basics. Working with hand tools #1: My fist half blind dovetails.

I’d first like to thank T chisel for his very informative video on making half blind dovetails. I watched it this morning and went right out to the shop ready to try out his method. It works very well! I succesfully made two sides in about one hour. It’s no speed record, but the joint is pretty tight. I’m hooked now, and will NOT be spending the cash for a Leigh jig anytime soon, now that I know I can handle making my own variable spaced dovetails.

I made a little 1:6 shooting block for paring the joints to the final dimensions, and also made a dovetail marking jig. To hold down the boards I built a small hold down jig that just gets temporarily screwed to the workbench.
Armed with the jigs, dividers, marking guage and knife, 1/4” and 3/4” chisles, and a dovetail saw, I proceeded to chisel, chop, and cut my way to the finished product.

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL