Still trying to get the hang of these things. The joint is deceptively hard to do, but I’m determined to get them.
My biggest problem is still my tools. I’m really going to have to concentrate on sharpening them. So before I get to frustrated with the dovetails I’m going to start working on sharpening a bit more aggressively. But at least I seem to be getting the geometry and marking down. Will be practicing cutting straight lines as well.
Thanks for your encouragement and advise along the way.
-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle
6 comments so far
GaryK
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8182 posts in 376 days
posted 86 days ago
Looks like you’re getting closer.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Scott Bryan
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7752 posts in 209 days
posted 86 days ago
Betsy,
You are improving. You certainly have been an inspiration to me, and I am sure others as well, who are pursuing this too. Struggling with mastering this joinery technique will only make you a stronger woodworker in the long run. :)
Keep up the practice. I really appreciate these posts.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
teenagewoodworker
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1676 posts in 156 days
posted 86 days ago
wow you’ve been making a ton of progress. one hint that i could offer (i don’t know if you’ve been doing this already) is not to make then a slip in fit. if you need to tap it in it is usually a much better fit and you don’t have those little gaps on the side from removing too much waste. but again great job, keep up the good work, and i can’t wait until the next post!
Betsy
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1465 posts in 283 days
posted 86 days ago
Thanks guys. I’m getting there. Patience and practice, patience and practice.
-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle
SteveKorz
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581 posts in 101 days
posted 86 days ago
I’m still practicing too, Betsy. About a year ago, I took a handcut dovetail class by David Marks. One of the things that he did that I really like was to clamp a guide block on the tails piece. For example, in your pic above, on the top board that is horizontal, he would clamp a jointed board with a square edge along your scribe line for the entire width of the tails board. Then the backs of his chisels would ride that guide board and ensure a square cut on the tails board. After he cut the tails, then he would use an exacto knife to mark the pins. He said he never used a pencil or pen, due to the with of the lead. Then he would take a little off at a time and make’em fit. He made it look so easy, and I’m STILL practicing!!!...
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
Betsy
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1465 posts in 283 days
posted 85 days ago
Thanks Steve. The block idea is a good one. This is definitely a skill that takes practice. I’m going to keep going until I get it though. I’m trying to do more by hand just because of the noise factor and just the pure joy of it. I’ll never be a complete hand tool gal, but I think the hand tools adds a lot that you cannot accomplish with a machine.
-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle