Hand Tools doings #4: Second try at hand cut dovetails --- picture heavy

getting better. i love this progression. i can’t wait until the next one. i know that you’ll get it soon.

I’ve been doing things like this for months – I head to my shop in the afternoon and pull the chisels, Dozuki and some scrap wood, cut a set of dovetails and then move on to things that help pay my bills. I’m a firm believer in craftsmanship and won’t allow myself to do anything requiring power before I can do it by hand first. You should have seen my first dados =D but practice truly makes perfect, keep it up

-- Such a Beautiful Place When You See It From Space

Looks pretty good Betsy! You’ll be an ol’ pro in no time.

Other than the angles being a little too steep it looks great. I think the angle should be between 7 and 14 degrees depending on if you are using soft or hard wood. I’d have to look it up to be sure.

Keep at it!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

There is always the question, Pins or Tails first. I’m a Tails first guy. If you cut the Tails first you only have to concentrate on the perpendicular cut across the end grain. If your angle cut down the sides of the tail is off a little, it’s no big deal. If you cut the Pins first you have two “perfect” cuts you have to make on the Tails. The perpendicular across the end grain and the angle cut that was transferred from the pins. I think Tails first is easier for beginners. I know I’m going to get an earful from the Pins first crowd. I recommend trying it both ways and find out if one way works better for you.

-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/

OK Betsy – you are getting there. Here are some points to consider:

As Gary stated, the angle on the tails is a bit too steep usually it is 1:6 for softwood and 1:8 for hardwood. That means for 1:8 every increment over goes up 8 increments (inches, millimeters, feet – it does not matter) I usually just make two ticks on the edge of my bench with a pencil an inch apart and then measure 8 inches up from one and set the bevel gage to that angle.

The pins still could use to be smaller and that would improve the looks when completed but, this is a detail that you can work on after you’ve got the technique down.

As Mike pointed out (I did as well in my response to your post on the previous attempt) cutting the tails first can be a little easier because the remaining pin cuts are a bit less fussy.

The biggest issue that I see with what you are doing is that your tail cuts are at a compound angle and they do not need to be (this is why they do not fit). The tails should be cut perpendicular across the end of the board and at the angle that you’ve marked out from the pins. So, in the pins first scenario as you’ve done, after you’ve marked the tails simply get your square and square each tail line across the end of the board and then cut the tails.

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

Betsy,

I don’t think there is anything more satisfying than accomplishing hand cut dovetails. Here are two sites I find helpful. I am also learning to cut them and the advice everyone has given is rite on.

http://home.nj.rr.com/afoust/dovetails.html

http://www.handcutdovetails.com/

Hope this helps,

Lew

Wow, I really appreciate your help. I just posted my next try and they look better!

Mark – it was the compound angle that got me going—- I did not realize I was doing that.

Lew – I’ll check out those sites. Thanks for posting them.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

Betsy,

You really are making progress. These are looking better and better. At this rate you may not need to go to your class at Kelly Mehler’s this summer.

Keep working at it you have a lot of support here. We all are wishing you success.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Thanks Scott. But I think I’ll still go to school – especially since its paid for!

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

I think it would be easier for you, if shrunk the angle to a bout 7 degrees.

-- -** 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