I’ve made several aids for hand-cutting dovetails, but the most useful is this hold-down fence. It not only clamps the workpiece but also guides the chisel while chopping out the pins. The hold-down consists of two sturdy hardwood blocks, 1 in. thick or so, drilled to receive two carriage bolts. The holes in the blocks should match the spacing of the dog holes in your workbench. To use, push the top block down through the bench, and slide the bottom block over the bolts. Clamp the workpiece under the top block, carefully aligning the face of the fence with the scribed line on the workpiece. Tighten the knobs. You’re now ready to chop one side of the pins or tails. Don’t chop all the way through. Rather, flip the workpiece, realign it, and complete by chopping from the other side.

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Drawings by Jim Richey

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