STL192: Learning To Cut Dovetails
Mike, Barry, and Ben discuss their favorite techniques, fixing inlay strips, workbench tops, tools for kids, and one listener's need to not see his booksDovetailing episodes from Chris Gochnour’s Enfield Cupboard Video Workshop:
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Ep 4a: Case Dovetails – Tails |
Ep 4b: Case Dovetails – Pins |
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Ep 4c: Handcut Rabbets and Dovetail Fitting |
Question 1:
From Jerrud:
I’m making a dresser that is 72″ long, 18″ deep and 24″ high not including legs. For a dresser this size–or any deep piece that is dovetailed–is seasonal wood movement a concern? Plain sawn lumber is cheaper than rift or quartersawn.
Question 2:
From Christian:
I’m lucky enough to be expecting my first child, a baby boy, and I’ve always liked the idea of giving him a Lie Nielsen No 1 as a christening present. Recently, someone has suggested it a novelty tool and will be useless to him when he grows up. What alternative premium tools would you suggest as a christening gift?
Question 3:
From Mike:
I’m building up my skills slowly by adding one new skill to each project I take on where I can. I want to try my hand at dovetails one of these days as that new skill. I have two questions:
- There are a ton of ways I see people doing them. Is there a method you recommend people start with? You recommend people learn to sharpen by picking one method, and sticking with it until you’re good at it. Would the same apply to dovetail methods, or should you try a bunch of ways and then go with what you find out you like doing?
- Should I start with practice joints on scrap wood or incorporate them when I’m actually making a project so there’s more at stake and I have to take it more seriously?
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Half-Blind Dovetails Cut by HandThe craftsman’s calling card |
Don’t Fear the Hand-Cut Dovetail (Part 1)For the first time, a modern master reveals every step of his system |
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How to Cut and Fit Perfect Dovetail Pins (Part 2)Scribe the tails accurately and the rest is simple handwork |
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Hand-Cut Dovetails, Accurate and FastA tip from a tails-first guy |
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My Favorite Dovetail TricksFive ways to increase accuracy and reduce the time it takes to execute this hand-cut joint |
Segment: All-Time Favorite Technique
- Barry: Using blue tape as a shim
- Ben: When you’re done cutting an odd angle, cut it one more time on a piece of scrap so you can recall the angle
- Mike: Full-size mockups
Question 4:
From Yves:
I have just made my first checkerboard (walnut and maple) inlay strip which is intended for a cherry end table top. When sanding, the strip cracked along its length and I discovered that I had done a poor job of the clamping. The cracked section, which is about 4-5 inches long on one side of the checkerboard strip appears to have “lifted” during clamping and there is now an air space under the crack. Any suggestions that might help to save this? I thought perhaps trying to inject some glue under the crack to fill in the space using a needle???
Question 5:
From David:
I’ve recently had the opportunity to revamp my shop and am planning to build a Matt Kenney’s monster workbench. I’ve bought the plans, and watched the videos, but I don’t see how the top is fastened to the stand? Is there something I’m missing? Is it supposed to just sit on top?
Question 6:
From Dave:
I love books but dislike most book covers – they’re generally too visually noisy! I feel like my living space is full of loud colorful ad copy, or like I’m in a chain bookstore. Do you have any recommendations for ways to keep books in the home that would allow you to conceal the visual clutter?
Really, I’m just asking for permission to make a bookcase hidden-door that spins around.
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4 Ways to Make Panels Pop |
Recommendations:
Barry – Get a camelback for hiking
Ben – Yeti 18-oz. Rambler Bottle with MagDock Cap
Mike – DFM A2 Steel Dowel Plate by DFM Tool Works
Comments
Great episode. Two points on Christian’s question as he thinks of a woodworking gift for his baby boy: (1) How about a Blue Spruce mallet. He’ll be able to destroy everything in your house more efficiently than most babies and when he’s a toddler he could pretend to be Thor and (2) Lie-Nielsen should definitely make baby clothes and call it the “Lie Nielsen No. 1-sie”.
When I started making dove tails, I read Christian Becksvoort's article, then for a couple of days I cut practice dovetails on a couple of pieces of scrap. Then I'd cut the dovetails that I just made off the scrap and make them again.
Ben: your comment beginning at 15:43 about creating a checklist was very helpful to me. Making a checklist forced me to more carefully read Mr. Becksvoort’s dense article. This allowed me to learn much more than just passively reading it. Great value add suggestion.
Will Neptune's article on how to make a draw divider system for tables is in FineWoodworking issue 130, May, June 1998. It is a very good article.
Little late to the show, but thought I would share this...
https://www.facebook.com/WoodcraftWoodworking/videos/vl.242046913358079/2154641578181734/?type=1
Here is my daughter getting after it. Already better than her old man.
Mike and Barry, you might remember her from the Tansu Wall Cabinet at Conn. Valley.
@Mike - you clearly have far more room on your shelves than I do. I cram them all the way back so I can double stack the shallower ones.
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