Replies

1. 
   pzgren | Jan 19, 2006 12:42am | #1

   Hi Manny,

   Since I do all of my wood working with hand tools, I can't really help you out on any power tool recommendations. I'm sure that other posters that have and use particular (power) tools and accessories will share their experiences and recommendations with you.

   <<There are so many... by hand? Yes , if you have the time , unless you are Klausz....>>

   Here are a couple of things to consider about working with hand tools:

             If you're doing one-off pieces, cutting your joints by hand is as fast or faster than making and setting up a new jig, doing the test cuts, etc. (If you're doing production work, then the equation obviously changes in favor of the power tools and jigs, etc.)

             Hand tools tend to be less expensive than the equivilent power tool (this is not always true, but generally is).

             You have a lot more control over the work piece and what is being done to it.

             You'll have to cultivate some hand tool skills anyway, to do the final fitting/clean-up on power tool made joints, cuts, etc.

             There are some things that can be done only with hand tools.

             It's safer (which is NOT to say that you can't really damage yourself with hand tools, just that it usually takes a little bit longer and more ingenuity to do so....)

             It's a lot quieter and you don't have to breathe saw dust.

             Hand tools are relatively easy to learn (but hard to master....).

             Your electricity bill will be lower.

             It's fun.

   So for whatever value you may find in it, there's my nickel's worth. Good luck, and have fun!

   James

1. 
   Manny | Jan 20, 2006 05:13am | #2

   Hi and thanks, yes, hand work is fun, but I have to make 20 drawers for my kitchen... by hand.. mmm I don't know.... I like to see intricate dovetails.. any pic you can post?

   Thanks

   Manny

1. 
   pzgren | Jan 21, 2006 02:41am | #3

   Manny,

   Hmmm....20 drawers sounds like production work to me....LOL

   Incra has a good reputation (as do the others)...but this is from my reading, not experience, so I am very reluctant to recommend any brand or model. About the best I could do is to say that a friend of mine has an Incra table saw mitre gauge that he REALLY likes, but I've never used it, so I have no experience in that dept.

   If you're not in a huge hurry, you might consider doing them by hand...it would give you LOTS of practice.... By the time you were finished, you'd be REAL good (and probably pretty fast) at hand cut dovetails!!

   I'll see what pics I can dig up.

   James

2. 
   wrudiger | Jan 21, 2006 10:04pm | #4

   I build 48 drawers & pull-outs for my kitchen last summer.  I have the Incra setup and it is very nice, versitle, etc.  BUT...  for that many drawers I'd still be machining today.  It's a kitchen - I don't spend a lot of time looking at the sides of the drawers when grabbing a knife, so I went this way:

   View Image

   I'm quite happy with the results.  If I really wanted dovetail drawers for a project this large I'd buy 'em!

    

    

   
   

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   Edited 1/21/2006 2:05 pm by wrudiger

   
3. 
   Crocusboy | Jan 22, 2006 08:22am | #5

   Manny,

     If you're referring to dovetail jigs, I have the Leigh 24" unit and am very impressed with the results I am able to repeatedly get from it.  I've even done ply-core oak veneer, which is especially sensitive to tear-out, yet the joints all came out accurate and fitted tightly together.

4. 
   Napie | Jan 23, 2006 05:14am | #6

   Keller, Keller, Keller!  I have had two of their jigs for over fifteen years, simply the best ever, period.  I built over 400 blanket chests in a eight year period, fast, great joints, easy to use.