I shared with you my first results in doing hand-cut dovetails. The results were less than satisfactory, as my accuracy in sawing to a line was poor, and I overshot the depth of cut in several places. This post shows the progress I have made since that earlier experience.
The first three photos show the entire set of tails. I marked the tail boards to remind me which tails (and their corresponding pins) I did in what sequence. I was thoroughly disappointed in the results of cutting the pins for tails/pins #2 and #3. These were worse that tails/pins #1. Why? I overdid with the paring job I did on the tails; mine was a case of over-zealousness, possibly due to rushing the job, as I thought I was improving significantly in my technique.
You will notice that tails/pins #4 was a dramatic improvement over the previous three tries. The fit was greatly improved, my paring work was adequate, and the overall look-and-feel of the last set was much more what I was looking for:
The bottom line is that I must keep trying, to get to the point where I can get to the workbench, lay out the tails, cut them, and then mark the pins from the tails, and cut the pins. Only through practice will I gain the confidence to do this with a cold start. But I can already see how, on any particular day, it might be beneficial to do one or two practice cuts before tackling the actual work piece.
My practice in the last few days, after making the four corners above last week, has consisted of walking cold into the shop as time permits, parking myself at the workbench, and cutting to the line on one board, with around 8-10 lines marked on the end grain. I have been pleased with the improvement I have been able to achieve. If I can do this, anyone can, for sure! It seems to boil down to confidence in one’s ability to just do it… Hmmm… I may have heard that slogan somewhere…
Will I share this improvement? Certainly! I will do that in a future post.
Relevant post:
My first attempt at hand-cut dovetails
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Mark Mazzo
on October 3 2008
Hey Al,
The dovetails are looking good! As you say practice makes perfect…
One thought I had (thought I’m reading in to your need for extra paring) is that if you needed to pare more to get the joints together you could try this:
On your tails create a little chamfer with a chisel to the angled sides that will go to the inside of the joint. Start the chamfer about 1/16″ from the top of the tail and continue it to the base. This way the edges of the tails are not holding things apart when you try to start putting the joint together.
Hope this makes sense.
–Mark
The Craftsman’s Path
Al (Sandal Woods)
on October 3 2008
Mark,
Thanks for the tip! I will definitely be trying the technique you suggest, to reduce the wrestling with the chisels.
The Village Carpenter
on October 6 2008
I admire your perseverance! You’re doing great, Al. Keep up the good work. : )
Al (Sandal Woods)
on October 6 2008
Thanks, Kari!
I sure will keep trying, trying… I think the confidence has built to the point that it *is* much easier than the first time. Although accuracy has improved, I must concentrate on not having to pare very much - and I finally did it, on really skinny pins! Perfect fit right off the saw; I laughed at myself…
woodworking
on October 9 2008
Hi Al,
The dovetails look great, I am yet to try cutting them by hand. I guess it’s like everything else, pratice makes perfect. I have a feeling it will take a lot of wood, for me to get it right.
Keep up the good work.
KJ
Al (Sandal Woods)
on October 9 2008
KJ,
Thanks! You will be surprised just how little lumber it will take to do the practice cuts. And that really is all it takes - practice! It will greatly increase your confidence, and in a few days you will be cutting to the line.