Replies

1. 
   _mj_ | Mar 25, 2023 10:09pm | #1

   Shameless plug for tools I produce and sell that eliminate the transfer step. My obvious preferance.

   http://www.tailspintools.com

2. 
   DRBWWing | Mar 26, 2023 06:13am | #2

   Any decent saw will cut DT’s you certainly don’t need a $250 saw! I can show you to turn a $20 saw into a very nice DT saw.

   I have a Lie Nielsen tapered and like it. It was $125 when I bought it, but I wouldn’t pay $175 now, I would go with Veritas for $80. It’s your choice if price isn’t an issue go with a premium saw.

   Which Cosman technique, the kerf maker tool or the shift over a knife line? No doubt he’s got game, but splitting hairs is his game. I watch him and like him but much if his stuff is a bit on the anal side. He’s quite proud of his resin handled saw.

   If you don’t do many or it’s super critical like a carcase, think about a magnetic saw jig. Katz Moses has a decent one, I attached sandpaper to mine as it is bad about slipping.

3. 
   jim_hall | Mar 26, 2023 01:47pm | #3

   If I have a decent number of dovetails to cut, I'll cut the tails on the table saw first with a sled and angled blade and then cut the pins with a dovetail saw. The most important part of the dovetail saw cut when cutting pins is where you start. That is what you'll see when you put the joint together. If the angle is off or you cut them to narrow, you'll see the gap. Of course, if you have gaps, you can fill them with old brown glue and sawdust mixed into a paste. To minimize gaps though, besides a lot of practice cutting straight lines with the saw, I've found Mike Pekovich's masking tape trick for cutting pins a great way to start. The color contrast with the blue tape makes it easy to see where the cut has to be. It's really helpful if you're just starting out. Here's a link where he describes his method of using tape.

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/project-guides/joinery/how-to-cut-perfect-dovetails-with-tape

4. 
   sjeff70 | Mar 26, 2023 03:15pm | #4

   One problem with the Cosman method is if you use a bandsaw or tablesaw to cut the tails then the kerf will be too large in comparison to the dovetail saw used to saw the pins.

5. 
   elmaduro | Mar 26, 2023 03:26pm | #5

   I like Gary Rogowski’s method and use both an LN DT saw and a dozuki. Big dovetails go on the bandsaw.

   The Five-Minute Dovetail Video
   Practice hand-cut dovetails without the pressure in this easy exercise to strengthen your hand-tool skills.
   By Gary Rogowski #189–Jan/Feb 2007 Issue

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/2006/12/18/the-five-minute-dovetail

6. 
   sjeff70 | Mar 26, 2023 03:28pm | #6

   An advantage of the Cosman method is that there is no chance of error in tracing the tail board onto the pin board and starting the kerf on the pin board. There are 2 opportunities for errors here: where you position the tail board on top of the pin board for tracing and where the kerf is placed when you saw the pins.