This simple little shoulder block is not my idea, but I’ve adopted it and now have several different sizes for different situations. To make the block, start with two 1-1/4-in.-sq. sticks of hardwood, about 4 in. longer than the widest dovetail you normally cut. Drill through the ends and install carriage bolts and wing nuts, as shown in the sketch above.

To use the block after you’ve marked out the pins, carefully tighten the block on the workpiece at the base of the pins. The shoulder block serves two purposes: as a cutting-depth stop and as a chisel guide for removing the waste.

With the block in place, simply saw the pins until the blade touches the block. After sawing, clamp the block and workpiece in a wood-faced vise, lay the chisel’s flat side against the block and begin tapping away the waste. The block will guide the chisel up to the line. This shoulder block is also useful for paring the shoulders of tenons and cleaning up through-mortises.

Len Crane, Basin View, N.S.W., Australia

Fine Woodworking Magazine, December 1998 No. 133
© The Taunton Press 2004, All rights reserved

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