I am attempting to build the secretary that Lonnie Bird built in issue 154 Feb 2002 Fine woodworking magazine. I cannot understand how Mr.Bird uses the combination of sliding dovetail and dado in this article. I have already assembled the carcass and cut the sliding dovetails for the dividers and the writing surface. I have not cut the dado because I cannot understand how he gets the writing surface to fit. It appears to me that it will not go in. I cut a 3/8 inch deep female socket (sliding dovetail) with a 1/2 inch 14 degree dovetail bit. Would you please explain to me exactly how he accomplished this joinery. I cannot go any further with this project until I learn what to do. thank you very much for your help
Ron
Replies
ron,
If you look at the photo of Mr Bird assembling the writing surface, it appears that the shallow dado runs all the way through the case end. The dovetail is projecting about 1/4" beyond this. The joint on the case end would be cut by first cutting a through dado that matches the thickness of the writing surface, then cutting the female dovetail centered in the dado. (You could just as easily cut the dovetail socket first, then the dado.) The writing surface's dovetail projects beyond the portion that is housed in the dado. Sort of a "haunched" dovetail.
Alternatively, you could make the dado behind the dovetail the same depth as the dovetail, but reduce its width to match the thickness of the root of the dovetail. The length of the writing surface from shoulder to shoulder becomes critical for best appearance.
I prefer to simply use a stopped dado for the writing surface joint. With the top and bottom of the desk and the drawer divides all dovetailed into the ends, there is no need to try to dovetail the writing surface for strength.
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