LumberJocks

My unfinished dovetail invention

« back to Coffee Lounge forum

Forum topic by poopiekat posted 122 days ago 161 views 0 times favorited 2 replies Add to Favorites
View poopiekat's profile

poopiekat

57 posts in 140 days


122 days ago

I like to handcut through-dovetails, I use an old Sears jig when I make half-blind ones like for drawers. I enjoy cutting the tails, but the pins, well that’s another story! So, I wondered if I could make a sliding jig, similar to the common crosscut cradle that a lot of you have made. I theorized, if I made a pivoting backboard, that would do, say 7 degrees in either direction of the sawblade’s line of cut, clamped my workpiece to it, and made two cuts, one 7 degrees to the left, then pivot it 7 degrees to the right and make the other cut…what would it do?
Using a center-finding ruler, I marked out the center of each pin to be cut, and progressively lined up the marks to the centerline of the pivoting axis. It’s hard to visualize, even harder to describe, so here are some pics: http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/poopiekat/IMG_0313.jpg http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/poopiekat/IMG_0312.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/poopiekat/IMG_0311.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/poopiekat/IMG_0310.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/poopiekat/IMG_0309.jpg

So… with the sides of the pins cut, and waste chiseled out…I then transfer the lines to the adjoining pieces… and cut them by hand, and get a reasonable fit right off, with some minor rasping and paring.

My question: Can anyone think of a reliable way to jig up matching tail cuts on a table saw? It’s a real brain-teaser, has anyone ever attempted such a device?

-- If stradivarius was alive today, he'd be using Gorilla Glue.

View tenontim's profile (online now)

tenontim

676 posts in 150 days


122 days ago

I’ve used a similar jig. Actually its just a backer angled at 7 degrees. I just flipped it over to cut the other side of the pin. As far as the tails go, the best I used a homemade template, similar to the jigs you buy. I have also cut the tails on the band saw, but didn’t care for that method much.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

View poopiekat's profile

poopiekat

57 posts in 140 days


122 days ago

Thanks, tenontim! The only advantage to a pivoting backer board is being able to lay out one line per pin. And clamping your stock once for every two cuts. By adding or subtracting to the thickness of the backer board, you adjust the size of the pin itself. I sometimes do cut the tails on my bandsaw, once even on a scrollsaw too.

I’m glad to know that there are others that have used this concept for cutting pins!!

-- If stradivarius was alive today, he'd be using Gorilla Glue.

You must be signed in to reply.

Your Online Shop - Your Support Is Greatly Appreciated - Your Woodworking Showcase - 3 Ways To Help, Financially - Your Woodworking Community

Woodworking StoreApparel StoreMake a Donation
Bookmark And Share This Page
  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: All views and comments posted by members are not necessarily those of LumberJocks.com or of those working on the site.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase