Replies

1. 
   Routerman | Dec 11, 2004 01:14am | #1

   See tutorial on sliding dovetails, might apply.

2. 
   BG | Dec 11, 2004 03:44am | #2

   dkf,

   I say go for it...but practice a bit first.  Actually, half blinds are slower than thru dovetails but also more forgiving...so much is hidden.  Take some scrap and cut your pin first.  Place it carefully on the tail piece stock and mark with a knife carefully. Draw your perpendicular lines to the proper depth and lay your dovetail saw right in that knife line...cutting on and angle down the perpendicular line.  Take your initial cut with your chisel carefully and lightly...once you get below the show line you can go with heavier hitting and bigger pieces of stock removal.  The worst that can happen is the tail is too big...and that is why they invented epoxy and saw dust...lol.   

    

1. 
   Yotie | Dec 11, 2004 08:39pm | #5

   Thanks BG:

   I have always leaned towards trying it myself.....I guess nothing ventured, nothing gained.....

   Don

3. 
   user-5880422 | Dec 11, 2004 07:08pm | #3

   the nice thing about doing it for a workbench is that you can make a mistake and fix it without minding too much, it's a workbench after all.

   I hand cut the apron dovetails for my bench, and while I'm not particularly proficient I managed. It's good experience.

   
1. 
   Peter36 | Dec 11, 2004 07:42pm | #4

   Very nice.

2. 
   Yotie | Dec 11, 2004 08:40pm | #6

   Jeff:

   That is pretty much what I would like to do.....I have the time so maybe I will go for it.....yours look great.

   Don

1. 
   user-5880422 | Dec 12, 2004 01:46am | #7

   thanks, the picture is very forgiving. At best you will only build a couple of benches for yourself in a lifetime so it's worth the extra effort.

1. 
   zendo | Dec 13, 2004 04:11am | #8

   Im no furnituremaker, but got interested watching the Taunton DVD on handcutting dovetails. I made a few, then decided to make 2 corners a day.  I think it was about 25 then I was really happy with my result.  They were wiggly for a while, then they went back and forth from tight and cracking to loose again.  After a while they just started turning out well.

   So I guess I would second the idea of practicing for a bit, cause if I had to look at bad ones in my shop everyday it would kill me....Id end up making another bench til I could live with them. (dovetails)

    

1. 
   Yotie | Dec 14, 2004 10:47pm | #13

   Zendo:

   Thanks for the advice.  I have some good scrap left over so I am going to practice a bit....I am in no hurry as first of all this bench project has been going since last March, and second, when it is all said and done, this bench will outlast me...

   Don

3. 
   Garry | Dec 15, 2004 12:45am | #19

   Looks good in the photo Jeff. http://www.superwoodworks.com

4. 
   Buzzsaw | Dec 13, 2004 08:35pm | #9

   dkf,

     That is kind of interesting as I am at the same point in my bench creation.  What kind of wood are you using for your apron and end caps? I am leaning toward cutting one large tail instead of trying to cut the one that is in the Tools and Shops.  I have never cut a dovetail before.  Also, what are you buying for a front vise?  I'm going to buy the Garrett-Wade quick release.  I would be interested in seeing your bench at this point in time. Attached is what my bench looks like so far...

    

   Regards,

   Buzzsaw

   
1. 
   gb93433 | Dec 14, 2004 04:21pm | #10

   My bench is 2.5" in the middle and 4" on the edge.FWW had an excellent article on making a workbench about 20 years ago. I think the article was written by Tage Frid.

   
1. 
   Buzzsaw | Dec 14, 2004 04:52pm | #11

   Thanks for the pictures.  I LOVE your shop and am extremely jealous.  I think I'm going to try to cut in those type of dovetails for my end cap/front apron intersection.  They are beautiful...Regards,

   Buzzsaw

2. 
   Yotie | Dec 14, 2004 10:41pm | #12

   Buzzsaw:

   Thanks for the reply.  Your bench looks great!  I am using hard maple for the aprons.   My bench is primarily maple, but I also included some Honduran Mahogany.  My wife and I are getting a digital camera for Christmas, so as soon as I figure it out, I will take some pictures of the bench thus far.  I, as well, thought of making one large dovetail, but I think I am going to do a little bit of practicing...I have some good scrap pieces left over.  As far as vises, I bought a Veritas Twin Screw for the tail vise, and a front vise as well from Lee Valley.  I thought about the quick release from Garrett Wade, but I really just wanted to make one order.  I will let you know how my practice session goes...Happy Holidays.....

   Don

1. 
   Peter36 | Dec 14, 2004 11:19pm | #14

   I bought the large front vise from LV. I am not having good results from it. My bench top is 4" thick and the vise jaw distorts considerably over this distance. The jaw is 2 3/4 thick hard maple. I can actually see the metal part of the vise distorting. What I am going to try is to drill the holes to a very close tolerance that the guide rods go through, so maybe the wood will take some of the strain instead of just the vise. I have also thought about getting a machine shop to make a front vise plate that would bolt to the vise jaw and the wood jaw would get attatched to that plate. Maybe it was just my install technique or I am asking too much of the vise.

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Dec 14, 2004 11:23pm | #16

   I have heard some bad things about the Lee Valley front vise as well so I opted for the Garrett-Wade based on opinions of others.  It comes with a metal bar for turning as opposed to the wooden one.Regards,

   Buzzsaw

2. 
   Yotie | Dec 15, 2004 12:30am | #18

   Peter:

   Thanks for the reply....I had not heard that there were any problems with the front vise from Lee Valley.  Lee Valley has superb customer service, so my suggestion would be to give them a call.  I may give it a try anyway and if I  have problems, I may try another vise.  Let me know if your "fix" works out.

   Don

2. 
   Buzzsaw | Dec 14, 2004 11:22pm | #15

   dkf,

     I think I may have decided to attempt this dovetail joint after viewing it from the previous poster.  The toughest part I assume are the cuts into the end caps I would presume.  Are you going to attempt this type? I think they look awesome...Are these called half blind dovetails?Regards,

   Buzzsaw

   
1. 
   Yotie | Dec 15, 2004 12:26am | #17

   Buzzsaw:

   Yes, that is a half-blind dovetail......I am going to give them a try as well......From what I am learning here is that practicing makes a big difference.  I have not heard that the front vise from Lee Valley was not that good.  I know that if there is a problem, Lee Valley will make it right...they have wonderful customer service.  I may be ordering that Garrett Wade vise after all....Let me know how you like it.....

   Don