How To Hand Cut Dovetails: With a power tool cheat
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In this video I share my method for "hand cutting" dovetails.
Tip Jar... / mikefarrington
I"ve been making my way through your entire collection here and I am learning a lot. I actually keep a google doc open the whole time and take notes. I've cut thousands of dovetails and I even teach it. I think this jig would be really helpful for newer dovetailers and I appreciate your showing it. The router move is super smart and I'll be employing it myself. Thanks for putting out such great content and generously sharing what you've learned!
Thank you. That is really neat to hear.
Hi Mike. This has quickly become one of my favorite YT woodworking channels.
I have been WW’ing for 30 plus years, and been hand cutting dovetails for nearly that long, with many of the techniques that you use. You can teach an old dog new tricks, because I learned quite a few more from you video. Those moxon vice inserts with the router use is genius. I have used the router myself as well with a jig clamped into my bench vice, but this is much easier and more efficient. The pattern making router bit? I don’t think I would have ever come up with that on my own.
I may have watched every dovetail cutting video on the web, and I am only slightly exaggerating here. This is without question the best one of them. Your methods are clear and easily reproduced, and you don’t a boatload of equipment or tools to cut them efficiently.
I would say this video is useful for two types of woodworkers. 1. Those interested in learning how to cut dovetails, and 2. Those who have been doing it for decades. TRANSLATION = everyone.
Thanks again for sharing this, I would be interested in seeing how you adapt this technique, if you even do, for half blind dovetails as well.
Wow, thank you. A few years ago when I set out to develop my process for cutting dovetails, my goals were to make it as full proof as possible and repeatable. In this video i just wanted to show what I came up with. I'm very happy a long time woodworker can find it useful. Yes, I do adapt this method for half blind and I have a couple other little tricks too. I will be expanding on this in future videos. Thank you for your feedback, it means a great deal to me.
agreed
This is the best technique and explanation I’ve seen. Not only that, but you made the most practical version of a Moxon vise I’ve seen too. I love how you can flush up a pin board to a tail board and not have it shift while marking out the pins. This weekend I’m going to build this vise and start focusing on dovetail technique. I just needed a bit of inspiration. So thanks!
Thank you very much. Thats great to hear. Good luck. Let me know how it goes.
Mike, I have been at this business for a very long long time and I have never attempted dovetails Why I don't know. So this year I decided to tackle two of my nemesis Dovetails and making a chair. This video pulled me over the edge. The chair thing was a done deal. I made this table for my granddaughter for her wedding and they needed chairs, so there goes. The dovetails are the next. And by the way, there are many many woodworking videos Yours are one of the few I watch consistently Thanks Learning is such a gas.
Thank you. I totally agree, learning keeps life interesting. Good luck on your journey.
Mike, I am a retired engineer very new to wood working, and loving the process. I've watched a lot of TH-cam videos on cutting dovetails, and I have a Katz-Moses jig, but I am now liking the idea of having a clamp, so I shall be ordering a Veritas guide shortly. I got some great new ideas from this video, and I am looking forward to trying them out, so thanks for sharing. All the best from New Zealand.
Thank you. Since this video I picked up a Katz jig. It works good as well, but the clamp does help.
Hi Mike. I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know how much I'm enjoying watching your channel! You mentioned that if there was enough interest you might do a sharpening video. I would love to see your method. I think one of the unique things that you bring to YT is that your not afraid to "do it" your way. It seems like so many channels are strictly hand tools or strictly using power tools. I like how you do what works best for you! Keep up the good work!
Thank you very much Adam. I will give some thought to the sharpening video.
Just wanted to say I am a carpenter by trade been doing it most of my life . Trying to get into the custom woodworking / cabenat business , a hobby for now ,everything I make is for me first , learn from mistakes and from you . Your videos are great and inspiring for someone like me . It seams actual craftsmanship is slowly disappearing . People like you and some day me who enjoy woodworking can pass it down the next generation . Keep posting I learn allot !!! Thanks
Thank you. Keep at it. Like most things in life it just takes persistency. Yes, craftsmanship is all but dead at this point, especially as a product that can be sold. There are a few of us left to keep it alive.
Precise and methodical procedures yield consistent, repeatable results. That's a lot of blah blah just to say "great job". This sort of approach takes woodworking from craft to high art. It's more than I'm willing to do for my hack projects but I have much respect for anyone who is willing - and willing to share what they've developed. Why anyone would thumbs-down is beyond me. Great teaching style as well.
Thank you very much.
Thank you. Excellent video. Hybrid hand-and-machine methods are IMO the most intelligent for many tasks. Too often, we limit ourselves to just one or the other, rather than taking a "by whatever means necessary" approach. The original craftsmen who devised traditional joinery and methods didn't do so out of sentimentality or reverence for the past; they were using the best and most efficient methods at their disposal to accomplish a high level result, very often inventing new tools (technology) in the process. Your dovetailing technique takes a modern step in the spirit of that traditional path.
I'm a guy who is happy to use any tool that gives me the results I'm looking for. I agree, craftsmen back in the day were just earning a living, they weren't hand cutting dovetails for fun. I appreciate your analysis of my technique, thank you.
Cut my first hand cut dovetails this weekend and it was a lot harder and time consuming than I thought. Pairing the tails was very tedious and I didn't end up with the quality I had hoped for. I thought about the router as well, but my vice didn't have a good means of supporting the work and it didn't provide me with an area for proper registration. Your moxon vice was very well thought out. I think your process does really strike the right balance in "hand made" and practical use of my time.
Thank you Ed. Highly detailed hand work is time consuming to say the least. Anything to help with consistency is a must in my book. One thing I didn't show in my video is you can clamp a piece of wood right at your scribe line and use this as a chisel reference when pairing between tails. This will help a little for sure. Do a web search and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Concentration , patients , and practice are your best friends when dovetailing.Great video.
Agreed! Thank you.
Found your channel thru the latest edition of Fine Woodworking, Your style is fluid and you are a precise wordsmith as well as an advanced Fine Wood Worker. I intend to watch all of your videos and would say "You Dun Gud"
Thank you very much. Happy you found me. Hope you like the catalog.
This is hands down the best video I’ve seen on dovetails. Thank you!
Thank you Steve. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed.
I need to start another TH-cam account just to give you more than one “thumbs up” after watching.
Ha! Thank you.
Mike, I discovered your channel recently and have seen many of your videos since then. I'm really enjoying them. You're a great woodworker and a fantastic narrator.
And by the way, I dig it.
Thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate it.
Geat channel mate, loving the constraint you employ with your whole presentation. Very watchable, and easy on the ears. 👍
Thank you. Happy to hear you like the format.
Thank Jonathan Katz-Moses for a new subscriber and fan. Really like your video style, but your pragmatic approach to craftsmanship is the best.
Thank you very much. Great to have you onboard.
My very first attempt at dovetails was a wild success. I say that not to brag because since, it's been downhill. LOL Story of my life.
For me I was more careful on the first set, then on the second I wanted to make them quicker and quality suffered. Speed and quality comes with practice.
You have an excellent TH-cam channel. Your videos are awesome. A great mixture of solid techniques, great video, and humor. Can't wait to see what else you have to share. I binged your entire video collection last night.
Thank you for the kind words Pat. I have a few more videos in the works, stay tuned!
Those are some mighty fine looking dovetails. Well done
Thank you.
Yes, sharpening video please, your videos are great and 'the boardroom' seems awesome to work in
Will do, thank you. Yes, I love working in The Boardroom.
I've started doing most of this method, but I often cut the tails on the table saw with a 9.5 degree ground blade. Saves a little time, mostly because the paring is super minimal. Can't get narrower than a hair over 1/8" though it's still plenty narrow to avoid looking like router jig dovetails.
The table saw trick is really neat for sure.
Good stuff mate,from the UK 🇬🇧
I like your presentation and work . The 7 p’s are required for this quality.👍
Thank you.
nice setup 👍 from start to finish
Thank you.
Thom Lipiczky: I just saw this video two years after you made it!. I love the ground down saber saw blade as a marking knife!
Thank you. It makes for a cheap marking knife.
Another excellent video. Love the clear helpful narration and sharing of tricks, shortcuts, and specific tool recommendations. I put the Gyokucho saw on my Amazon wishlist.
Thank you. Can't go wrong with the Gyokucho saws. While they are certainly not top shelf. They are incredibly good for the money.
Beautifully explained and demonstrated, thank you Mike.
My pleasure.
I enjoy watching you do your work because you always do excellent work. It seems like you are well stocked with tools and knowledge!
Thank you very much, Tools yes, knowledge maybe.
Those are the coolest dovetails I've seen.
Thank you Luke.
yes! plz give us a sharpening video with infos abou the stones used, links and how long do they last!!! that would be perfect!
Thank you, will do. These are the Sharpton Professional. I think they last a lifetime unless I drop one.
Great video Mike. I cut my tails on a wood rat. They have these super fine dovetail cutters that make them look handcut. I’ll be cutting the pins using your technique in the future.
The wood rat looks like a neat tool. I think the best part of my system is the routing of the pins, really speeds things up. Thank you.
I'm an old geezer and kinda on the shaky side, so the chisel work is very difficult for me. I've been trying to come up with a way to do that part of it with the router....... never thought of using a pattern bit. Thanks for a great idea. And I've been using the Katz Moses magnetic saw guide, it would have been nice if it would have come with a built in clamp too lol
Thank you. Happy to hear you found a useful tip. I have not heard of the Katz Moses saw guide. I'll look it up.
I would encourage you to put out a sharpening video. I like your use of a pattern bit, and the design of your Moxon vise is very good.
Thank you very much. Let me think about the sharpening video.
I really like your vice and I see it’s next to watch ... I sense a new project in the wind!
Thank you Joseph. Great to hear!
Great dovetails Mike. I like the layout you use with the 2 smaller dovetails in the middle. Very nice. 👍
Thank you.
Seriously how do you afford all this? You have the best of every tool imaginable.
I am a professional cabinet and furniture maker, I can't afford not to have good tools.
@@MikeFarrington More power to you. Every cabinet maker I've worked for is a cheap bastard who won't spend a dime on tools unless they absolutely have to.
I may be different from the guys you have worked for in that I am really trying my very best to be as good as I can be at the craft.
Hi Mike! First of all I love your videos and your sens of humor, it’s relaxing in a way. Your dovetails are so good looking! It’s tight!
(Sorry for my bad English I’m French)
I really love your dresser (the last picture). The hidden dovetail on the drawer, that’s amazing. I wish I could have your skills one day.
Would you have the kindness to tell me which wood essence you used on the drawer please? I love the red color on the end grain which contrast with the yellowish, it’s popping up the dovetail. Great detail
Oh is it cherry? Same wood as you round side table with ebony?
Yes, same wood as the side table. Cherry is really my go to wood unless there is a reason to select something else.
Fabulous accuracy, perfect result. Love your special vice - sure makes it easier to achieve consistency. 😃👌👌👌👏👏👏
Thank you. Yes, that vice really makes this kind of work easier and consistent.
Thise ryobi saws are amazing. I have 1k in dovetail and tenon saws and i always will choose a Japanese style saw any day of the week. The cut laser straight and soooooo much cheaper
I have a few expensive saws as well. I find myself reaching for a 30 buck saw most of the time. They work really good for the money.
Well done brother 👏
I have the Veritas dovetail guide myself and I love it
Hi Eric, Its a very useful tool.
Like the flush trim bit trick, how about a chisel sharpening vid as well as a board room top ten rock & roll songs for each project?
Thank you. I'll get a sharpening video out one of these days. I like the top ten idea. I'll give it some thought.
Awesome video. This is one of the best tutorial on dovetails I’ve seen. Going to have to save so next practice section I can refer back to. Thank You for all the detailed information it’s greatly appreciated.
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words.
Mike, I love your methods of production and commitment to classy workmanship, but please, please, plane out the gauge lines!
Thank you. I like the gauge lines. I think they add a little detail that shows they were hand cut.
Your videos are amazing! working wood is certainly appeasing
Thank you very much.
Mike today I discovered your channel and I saw all your videos, thanks man. please tell us about your work bench. I look forward to seeing more of your work
Thank you for watching! I am going to do a rebuild on my work bench top this summer. I'll do an overview of the lift and other features in that video. Stay tuned!
Everything about this is superb!
Wow, thank you for the positive feedback.
Veeeeeery informative! 👍
Thank you.
Nice chest of drawers at the end. Just a correction on the saws: Ryoba saws have crosscut teeth on one side and rip cut teeth on the other side.
Thank you Dan. I purposefully didn't mention the type of teeth on the Ryoba saw because for the most part both sides do rips and crosscuts pretty well. Also, some people call the crosscut side a combination tooth pattern. Really, Japanese saws could be a several hour video unto themselves. Thank you very much for your input and attention to detail, you have a good eye.
Yes, I would like a video on how you sharpen your chisels.
Thank you. I'll put that one on the list. Stay tuned.
Pure gold. Thank you!
Thank you.
Please do a sharpening video.
Thank you Frank. I'll put together a video on my method for sharpening. I may have a few tips that other videos have not gone over.
I second the sharpening video!
I demand!
Great video and a unique approach to cutting fine dovetails. Looking forward to more videos and would be interested in any unique methods you have around sharpening.
Thank you very much John, I have plans to put together a sharpening video that has a slightly different take. Stay tuned.
Mike, very nice videos! I would love some more information on the tool belt setup you have. It appears to be perfect for those that may not want to wear a tool vest.
Thank you. Hmm, I'll give some thought to a tool belt video. I'm with ya on not wanting to wear a vest, too hot in the summer and too heavy. My belt is a traditional 5 pocket tool belt. It was cheap and I replace them every couple years. One thing to note is I have bought a few other pouches for specific items (phone, note pad, etc.) and I can take them in or out depending on what I'm doing. For example, when I'm installing I add my note pad holder, a drill holster and a nail gun hook. I take all that off when in the shop.
It looks very good. Still trying to learn more on wpod working. Do you have a website that shows step by step procedures on any wood working you build? Thanks Great Job on your invention.
Excellent video, it is always helpful to see how someone else does something. I like the use of the very short router bit with the bearing. I have also been experimenting with Kumiko and have made two box tops. I would share photos but could not find an email address for you. Keep up the good work.
Thank you. Check my website for my contact. I'd like to see some pictures.
Cool. Often when cutting diff spaced dovetails they bias them to the corners as those are the high stress area typically.
I haven't seen that before. Thank you.
I don't know how you can have a "thumbs down" on ANY of your videos.
Thank you. I gave this comment a thumbs up.
If you keep practicing some day your Mom is going to be very proud of you.
My mom is not easily impressed, its gonna take a lot of practice.
@@MikeFarrington Bear down young man. Bear down. Oh, and thanks for the excellent instruction.
New subscriber. Great videos and info. Loved the kumiko video. I'm going to try it this weekend. First I need to grind me a new marking knife.
Greatly appreciate you sharing your craft.
Thank you Jim. You'll find that style of marking knife useful. It's my go to.
Nice video i want to try and make one and with ur video u just gave me the push to try thank u.
Thank you. Yes, get out there and give it a try.
Great video. Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
wow, best pins I have ever seen
Thank you Ernest!
Hey Mike, great vise. I made this last year and love it. Have you ever tried the "offset" method for marking the pin board? Rob Cosman has a video on this....I think it's called "Dovetails a different approach" (not sure that's exactly what it's called). Anyway, it a method for offsetting the tail board the thickness of the saw plate plus the set on both sides. This way it puts the saw exactly where it needs to be every time. It's a really cool method. I hope you give it a look. I'm curious to see what you think.
Thank you very much. I will look up the Cosman trick.
Yes would love to hear your thought on sharping thanks
Thank you Scott. I will include a nice tutorial on sharpening in an upcoming video.
Hay. Make videos of those projects you showed at the end please.
God bless.
And I still dig it.
I will at some point. Its all about finding time.
Maybe the time is with the Japanese saw...in the basement where you last used it.
I looked, didn't see it.
Slick stuff Mike.
Thank you.
Fine work Mike
Thank you.
Does the router bit remove waste from just the bottom of the joint between the pins? No blade contact on the pin sides? Thanks.
It can be done either way depending on the bit. I like to use a bearing with a bit, that way I can bump it right up against the pin to get a nice clean corner.
Mike, given it is a short length you are working across, but do you ever find the height difference (which you deliberately set in) between the two faces of your vice to generate an issue when using the router to clear the waste from your dovetails?
Thats why I added steel bushings to my vise, so it doesn't sag much. Also, I clamp a piece of wood to the shelf laying across the two jaws and the work piece, this makes sure they are all in line. I really hope that makes sense.
A great tutorial, very enjoyable. but can i ask that why dont u make both side of the join into trapezoid, it should able to take more force than one side is triangle, and should be easier to make.
and i will love to see more of ur tutorial and project video
Thank you. This video was intended to just show how to make a traditional dovetail joint. I know that there are many types of dovetail joints, and maybe I'll look into making videos on alternatives.
Excellent video
Thank you.
Do you ever get tear out from the router with nothing behind the pin boards? Great spin on a moxon, I’m going to carve a rabbet in the jaws of mine
Thank you. If blowout will be a problem its easy enough to just route in from both sides.
Excellent suggestion. Looking forward to a half blind episode!
Cool vid. Always interesting to see different techniques and little tips.
I've tried chiselling without the board being clamped to my bench and couldn't deal with the ruddy thing walking away from me after each hit. Don't know if that speaks to my lack of ability and experience or if there's something I'm missing.
When I'm on my A game I will clamp the board down and put a sacrificial board underneath. I do this mostly to keep chips from getting under the board and denting it. And no it doesn't speak to ability or experience.
excellent work.
Thank you John.
Could you put the names/brands of the tools/jigs you used in the description?
I will when I have a few extra moments.
Love turning the work piece instead of the jig and "skewing" to saw vertically.
Thank you Mark.
its not an autobot or decepticon , its a 3 phase transformer :)
Ha! I like it.
What's name of wood? Beautiful job man! From Brazil!!
The wood is called poplar here in the states.
I just love your workshop is so organized spot on
p.s nice video
Thank you. Organization is something I am always trying to improve.
Holy shit. This is amazing. You are a rockstar. Do people actually pay you enough money to do this?
Thank you. I have had a few customers request hand cut dovetails over the years. Its not often.
Молодец мужик,хорошая работа!
Thank you very much.
Love the transformers reference
Ha! Thank you.
The first time i did dove tailing all i had was a jigsaw, mine were much larger and sloppier.
Good tools help. Thank you for the comment.
Excellent!
I'm wondering why you care that your end grain ends up so flat on the pin board. The router does a neat job but no one sees past the very outside edge so as long as it is flat, you could easily hollow the end grain and not hurt anything as it doesn't impart strength to the joint. Just curious, you did a fine job and this is certainly a valid technique.
Scott, I guess I really don't care that the end grain is flat. When I chisel by hand I do undercut a little to make sure the two pieces fit snug. Its a very fine point, but the real advantage of using the router is that it cuts cleanly right at your scribe line. In any case, its a good way to clean out between the pins. Thank you.
Thanks for answering. I'm glad I wasn't missing anything. It is definitely a satisfyingly perfect clean out
I watched your new table video first but I think this one is why I subscribed. I do have a question being a novice... I have done a few dove tails and I had an issue with the edges bowing out and read it was the end grain orentation for the way I assembled them. Since your grain was the same way as I had problems with I was just curious if you have seen any issues with the long term of a project. Just curious.
Could be the wood drying out and bowing a little. It could be the fit of the dovetail is too tight and causing the edges to bow out. I have only had this problem when the fit of the dovetail was to tight. Without seeing it its hard to know what is going on.
I love all your videos, it'd be great to see a sharpening video!
Thank you. I'll get to a sharpening video as soon as possible.
Amazing! I've only just found your channel, can't stop watching...
Thats great to hear. Thank you very much.
Going to give this a shot. What was the brand of hand saw you were using that was the best "bang for your buck"?
Thank you. Good luck. I like the gyokucho saws.
Is there a name for that type of layout on the tails? What's the best way to make it symmetrical?
I don't know if there is a name for that layout. To make things symmetrical I just measure in the same from each side. There are also some jigs that help create equal spacing.
Where would you find a pattern bit that short? All the ones I have seen are at least 3/4" long below the bearing.
The bit I used is by Freud, it was originally designed to help with mortising for leaf hinges on entry and passage doors. Amana sells a few also. A little web searching should get you some results.
Nice video. Your video sharpness is as crisp as the carpentry. I have never done a dovetail, so this may be silly. Does the size of the tails influence the strengths of the joint? Is it better to have many small tails than a few bigger? I noticed that you made some very narrow and some pretty broad ones here.
I think it would be better to have many small dovetails because it would increase the glue surface area. With that said, for all practical purposes, it probably wouldn't make any real difference in day to day life.
I didn't like it.
I loved it!😉
Thank you very much.
very nice
Thank you.
Mike, are the threads on the clamping screws acme or simple threaded rod?
Hi Bruce. Normal threads. Any of the knobs that I found that had acme threads were about 50 bucks each, plus the acme rod is costly as well. I did add wax to the threading as well as cleaned it up with a file. It works good enough to where I'm glad I didn't spend the extra money. Not sure you have seen it, but I have another video showing the build process for the vise.
Nope, haven't seen it but I will give it a look. A bench top bench and a Rubo vise are next on the to-do list. I really like your attitude and approach to our craft!
Give is a view. It may be of interest to you. Thank you for the kind words.
please consider doing a sharpening video!
Thank you for your input. I will try to get one done.
Nice.
Thank you.
Do you run into blowout issues with the router?
No I always climb cut. So the bit is turning into the wood.
Great video well narrated and shot, look forward to more thanks.
Thank you, I have a couple more in the pipeline. Stay tuned.
Nice
Thank you.