Replies

1. 
   OrchidGuy | Dec 26, 2004 04:53am | #1

   Hi CREATIVEWOOD,

    A dutchman joint looks like a half-lap joint, I've only seen dutchman's used to repair the bottom portion of posts!

    A dutchman is also a way of repairing a damaged section of board, or a tabletop or other such flat surface. It invloves routing out the knot or damaged section, then installing a peice of wood that is the same shape and size of the area that was routed out. A dutchman can also be used as a decorative feature if so desired!

    All you need is a router with a special 2 peice collar and a spiral cutting bit. If you're feeling adventureous, you could do like the oldtimers, with a chisel and saw!

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!

2. 
   SawdustSteve | Dec 26, 2004 06:58am | #2

   Hi Raul... Yes, a 'dutchman' is a patch. Have you ever noticed those 'football' shaped patchess on the back side of 4 x 8 sheet of panneling? That's a dutchman. What most woodworking books call a dutchman is a bowtie or butterfly shaped patch, usually of a contrasting colored wood that is used to span a check in a table-top and stabilize it. It works on the idea that if you can't hide the defect, celebrate it. If done properly, it can be a thing of beauty. Rockler and other woodworking suppliers have the router bit and guide sets along with templates for cutting these dutchmen.

   Have a Happy and Healthy New Year..... SawdustSteve

3. 
   notDusty | Dec 26, 2004 07:30am | #3

                   Hi CREATIVEWOOD ,

            Part of the beauty of our craft is the many ways of doing the same things . In this case the term "Dutchman or Dutchman Joint" has different meanings to individual woodworkers . When I apprenticed in Antique restoration , when repairing certain boards and seaming them back together ,we would rout perpendicular slots deep enough to reinforce the joints . Then glued and clamped the Dutchmen in , plane or sand flush .So depending on the application which way will work for you ?

                                       dusty

4. 
   mike4244 | Dec 26, 2004 06:37pm | #4

   Dutchmens were used to provide access to cast iron weights in double hung windows before patent balances were invented. The weights had to be rechained ( rope or chain is used ) after many years of use. Typically a 2 1/2" x 7" piece was cut from the bottom of the window jamb. The cut was beveled to allow replacement of another piece without falling into the rectangular hole. Sometimes the cut piece was reinstalled, better method was to cut a new piece and install. If cut piece was used it was a bit too narrow because of the saw kerf.New piece ( dutchmen ) was placed without glue or nails, paint seal held it place.Once in awhile I found a dutchmen tacked or screwed in , probably by homeowner. I suppose any type of patch could be called a dutchmen.

   mike

1. 
   CreativeWood | Dec 26, 2004 08:53pm | #5

   Thanks guy's..

   I am familiar with the decorative inlays (bowties or football shaped patches) and such, but never heard them called a "Dutchman" or "Dutchman Joint".

   What you gentleman have described here is some thing I am familiar with, it was the name that thru me off.. I have never heard it called by that name.

    

   Goes to show, there is some thing new around every corner, and I have allot to learn.

    

   Thanks guy's and God Bless.......

   Raul S

1. 
   OrchidGuy | Dec 27, 2004 05:10am | #6

   Hi Creativewood,

    We've all got something new to learn, and, something to share! That's why we're all here.

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!

5. 
   Pondfish | Dec 27, 2004 07:56am | #7

   In my experience a "dutchman" is a patch -- a repair performed for thrift (versus replacing the defective post or part).   The name refers to the supposed thrift of the dutch, and not to any specific type of joint (half lap or other).  The patch might also be performed to conceal substandard work beneath (this is similar to the definition I found in a dictionary check).

   I'm not familiar with this kind of patch ever being used as a decorative accent--only as a patch.  It was often performed to replace rotted portions of porch posts. 

   A PC disclaimer: in my experience, the Dutch do not seem to be any thriftier than other cultures.  It might be more polite to say that a dutchman is an exercise in economic sensibility.