Project Information
This is a simple beech stool built from a 1-3/8th thick plank for a 5 year-old niece. The dovetails that connect the legs to the seat were quickly cut using two simple bandsaw jigs. The first jig cants the seat board (1:8 ratio) to allow you to cut the tails symmetrically. You can make the wedges as narrow as your smallest dovetail chisel. The band saw assures the cuts are vertical (not so easy to do in 1-3/8" thick wood with a handsaw). The second jig is a ramp (8:1) that allows you to cut the pins in the legs at the same angle as the tails. The bandsaw fence positions the front edge of the ramp. The fence of the ramp keeps the leg aligned to the blade. You still have to remove the waste material with a coping saw and square the shoulders with a chisel and mallet. Hand planed with an antique oil finish.