According to the latest poll on Knots, the user forum on FineWoodworking.com, two out of three woodworkers either cut dovetails tails-first by hand, or they use a router and dovetail jig. Tails-first outpolled pins first by more than two to one. The graph below gives the details.

The poll is an unscientific (but, we hope, entertaining) feature of FineWoodworking.Com. A total of 734 people voted in this poll, which closed on Jan. 11, 2008.

Several respondents shared their dovetail secrets and methods. Here’s a sampling:

“Normally in answer to that question I say ‘carefully.'”

“I cut them poorly.”

“I used to cut them by hand with a dovetail saw very carefully for a piston fit, after precisely marking them during layout.  The more I practiced the better they were.  It just took me too much time and when you get to my age, time is very important. I have since taken to cutting them with an axe.” 

“I look at my sketch of the final piece. I decide on the placement and sizing of the dovetails. I mark them carefully with a fine marking knife. I go over the knife cut with a pencil because I can’t see the knife cuts. I check to see whether the day of the month is even or odd. If even, I cut the tails first. Otherwise it is tails first. Unless I feel otherwise.”

A new poll will soon be posted on the FineWoodworking home page.

 

 

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