Replies

1. 
   ErnieConover | Feb 21, 2006 07:21pm | #1

   Your inquire is propitious as I also have my father's flag sitting next to my desk to make a similar box for. With all the WWII veterans attending their last retreat, there are probably many other readers in the same boat as you and I. I do not know about your flag but I would suspect that both yours and mine are standard military issue? The inside dimensions of a box to hold mine would measure 24" across the bottom and 17" on each of the other side. As the layout is hard to describe in print I made a simple drawing, photographed said drawing and attached. I used a bit of trig but drawing full size will work as well.

   You have a 45, 45, 90 triangle here. The 90 degree corner is a normal through dovetail layout. The 45 degree corners differ from a normal dovetail, only in that the layout lines have to follow a 45 degree angle though both pieces. I cut pins first, so layout in the normal way and saw to the 45 degree angle by cutting to the layout lines. Likewise the waste is chiseled in the normal fashion. You do need to pay attention to the 45 degree angle and still undercut about 5 degrees.

   The difference comes in that you need to cut the end of the pins to 45 degrees (along the layout line nearest the end) before you transfer your pin layout to the tail board. Like all through dovetails you will make the pin and tail length 1/32" longer so that they can be cleaned flush after glue up.

   Walnut will match the stock of my dad's M-1 carbine so that is the wood I will choose. Send us a photo when you are finished.

   With best regards,
   Ernie Conover

   
1. 
   dmdino101 | Feb 22, 2006 03:28am | #2

   Thank you verry much for the diagram and explanation on how to dovetail the American Flag box.  I will let you know how it turns out and send you a photo.

   Thanks

   Don C. Martin