Replies

1. 
   kesac | Dec 23, 2005 10:22am | #1

   I once bought one of those Veritas handcut dovetail guides.  I also bought the saw that goes with it.  The guide is just fine, but that saw was way too fine toothed.  I usually use one of those Shark saws anymore.  They are faily cheap, cut very clean and straight right out of the box, and cut relatively quickly.

   I mostly cut dovetails on the tablesaw any more, and just save the true handcuts for rare occasions, such as when I'm playing and trying to impress myself.

1. 
   Bailey | Dec 25, 2005 05:16am | #3

   Thank you for your advice and experience.

   Bailey

1. 
   kesac | Dec 25, 2005 06:08am | #4

   Merry Christmas to you.

2. 
   CharlieD | Dec 23, 2005 10:46pm | #2

   If you're accustomed to Western saws, I'd stick with Western and get a Lie-Nielsen. I use Toshio Odate's dovetail saw, available for $50 from Highland Hardware. It's a pull saw, and a hybrid between rip and crosscut. It's great for me, and I do well with it becasue the pull stroke feels more natural to me. But if you're used to Western saws, I think I would stay there rather than trying to start over.

   Cahrlie

   A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher
   a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts,
   build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders,
   cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure,
   program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.
   Specialization is for insects.
   - Robert A. Heinlein
3. 
   stantheman | Dec 25, 2005 07:47am | #5

   Bailey

   I just picked up a copy of Popular Woodworking special issue on Hand Tools (dated Jan 2006).  Thye have a pretty good article on the pros/cons of Japanese vs Western saws. 

   I have both, and although I haven't progressed very far in making decent dovetails with either, I lean towards the Japanese saw.  I feel more comfortable with their narrower kerf.  On the other hand I find the western more useful in cutting tenons, for some reason.  Just my two cents. 

4. 
   GHR | Dec 25, 2005 10:33am | #6

   I just did my first handcut dovetails in many years - 4 jewelery boxes.

   I cut the tails with a bandsaw.

   I laid out the pins using a .5mm mechanical pencil and a small carving tool.

   I found my $20 or so shark saw and a 1/2"chisel did a reasonable job finishing the pins.

   What you need depends on the whole process.

5. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 26, 2005 07:58am | #7

   Hi Bailey,

   In addition to making sure whichever saw you select is suitable to the task at hand (rip v. crosscut), it's also important to ensure the tool is sharp, jointed, and properly set. It's fairly easy to repair faults in a western-style saw, but it's easier to replace the blade on a Japanese saw than it is to fix it.

   I use both western and Japanese saws. Either kind is suitable for dovetails, but I prefer western-style saws for tenoning because of their added weight.

   If you want to cut exceptionally delicate and closely spaced dovetails, you may have a slight preference for the narrower kerf provided by a Japanese saw.

   In the end, it's a matter of deciding whether you want to maintain your saw blades or replace them. You have to be willing to cut practice dovetails until you feel confident and comfortable, irrespective of the saw you choose.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   Bailey | Dec 28, 2005 02:07am | #8

   Good advice. Thanks for taking the time.

   Paul from Ivoryton, CT

1. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 28, 2005 05:08am | #9

   You're welcome.-Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

2. 
   DCarr10760 | Dec 28, 2005 11:12pm | #10

   Hi Paul from Ivoryton, (I used to live on Walnut St. BTW)

   I had an old Tyzack Turner saw that I used for years and I recently bought the LN and it works beautifully.

   David C. (from Branford)

1. 
   Bailey | Dec 31, 2005 03:20am | #11

   David: Small world! We live just off Walnut: Melody Lane and Piney Branch. We moved here from Maine last fall. It's taken me some time to rebuild my wood-working shop in the basement. My biggest challenge is containing the saw-dust because my other "hobby" is making wine, and my wine "kitchen" is just a dry-wall partition away from the shop.

   I just got a flyer advertising this year's "Woodworks" show at Eastern States Exposition (Jan. 13-15) in West Springfield. I wanted to go last year, but couldn't. I plan on going this year. If you are going, would you like to car-pool?

   Paul