I was taught to use machines, and I’ve been brainwashed into thinking that’s the only way to achieve speed and accuracy. The more I watch a real craftsman at work, the more I realize that handcutting dovetails and other joints can actually be faster than than machine setup for a one up project. Not to mention less noise, mess, expense, and space needed. I can work in my basement over winter instead of putting everything away when it’s just too cold to work in my garage comfortably. Thank you for helping guide me towards this incredible revelation.
David, as a burgeoning woodworker, I want to thank you for the time that you put into these videos. They are as entertaining as they are informative. You make the craft more accessible to guys like me. Thank you!
I hadn’t seen the dovetail alignment board/jig before, that is a brilliant innovation David ! Thanks ! Also love the dovetail jig, I may see one in my future.
David, thank you so very much. You make even the most delicate work look incredibly easy. I am exceedingly impressed. Again, thank you for your wonderful instruction.
I'm definitely going to give this a go very soon. I'm in desperate need to finish the Dutch tool chest I started some time ago which has space for a drawer. Thanks for these videos, very well explained and succinctly put 👍👍👍👍
David, very pleased to discover this new series of videos, thanks, I like the look of your marking gauge, have you put some lignum vitae on there for smoother operation?
Would it be worth it, do you think, to use the fret saw to remove some of the waste before chiseling? Or is it too complicated and delicate with the odd angle and the shallow walls to be worth it?
Hi Brian, I don't think it would be worth it, the only other method I use is a trim router with a support board to the rear, great if there are lots to do. All the best, David.
On chisels. In the course o flattening the backs of my set I inadvertently rounded the back-side edges very slightly. On my 12 mm chisel it's less than 0.5 mm I think. Would you consider such chisels not fit for dovetailing? How about furniture-scale mortise and tenon?
Just angle that pin board in the Vise by clamping the edges rather than the faces and you will be able to see both the web line and baseline at the same time. It will then just involve standing in the appropriate different orientation to the task. Piece of cake folks.
It's a bit late, now, but for anyone else in this position, try making a rubbing (i.e. a paper template). If the paper is stiff enough, it might just save your work.
Buy second-hand one, cheaply, plus a sharpening file. Watch Paul Sellers on saw sharpening. You don't need a special saw for dovetails. A fine tenon saw works perfectly well.
Hi Jamie, with the wheel marker pressed hard against the wood, friction quickly builds up making the guide harder to use. The lignum disc makes things run very smoothly. All the best, David.
This is a very necessary thing to know how to do in my SMALL business of antique restoration....never more than one or two drawers far and few in between...so machinery would be a complete waste.... But I am very...VERY shocked at the amount of TH-cam videos on dovetails and half blinds 😯 Even people ripping boards by hand!?! Are you guys doing this just for a hobby or is there actually a profitable demand for this kinda thing?
In my case, it's the satisfaction of developing the necessary skill, and also the challenge of not making a mess of the finished item. I suspect this will be the same with other people - just look at the comments on any of the Paul Sellers videos.
Thanks for posting these valuable lessons David.
I was taught to use machines, and I’ve been brainwashed into thinking that’s the only way to achieve speed and accuracy. The more I watch a real craftsman at work, the more I realize that handcutting dovetails and other joints can actually be faster than than machine setup for a one up project. Not to mention less noise, mess, expense, and space needed. I can work in my basement over winter instead of putting everything away when it’s just too cold to work in my garage comfortably. Thank you for helping guide me towards this incredible revelation.
David, as a burgeoning woodworker, I want to thank you for the time that you put into these videos. They are as entertaining as they are informative. You make the craft more accessible to guys like me. Thank you!
No problem at all, I'm glad you like them. All the best, David.
I hadn’t seen the dovetail alignment board/jig before, that is a brilliant innovation David ! Thanks ! Also love the dovetail jig, I may see one in my future.
Been waiting for this one for a long time!! Awesome!
Thanks David!
No problem, I'll try not to leave so long next time!
David, thank you so very much. You make even the most delicate work look incredibly easy. I am exceedingly impressed. Again, thank you for your wonderful instruction.
No problem!
underrated. highly underrated video! keep posting more videos.
Thanks David, great tutorial
Up with the very best of all! Nice to follow and make it now perfect! I will have learned from the Master!
Looks awesome! Thank you for sharing.
Excellent as ever. Many thanks.
No problem!
I'm definitely going to give this a go very soon. I'm in desperate need to finish the Dutch tool chest I started some time ago which has space for a drawer. Thanks for these videos, very well explained and succinctly put 👍👍👍👍
Thanks Simon, you'll have to send me some pictures. All the best, David.
Think I watched this some time ago; good to view it again as my technique improves I notice more detail. Thanks...rr
Very nice
thanks
James
Flipped all of us off at 1:56 LMAO!
David, very pleased to discover this new series of videos, thanks, I like the look of your marking gauge, have you put some lignum vitae on there for smoother operation?
Hi Nick, yes facing the gauge makes things run more smoothly, it works well. All the best, David.
Amazing craftsman
Good god. Amazing!
David where do you get that lovely birds eye maple from?
where did you get the magnetic guide? what brand is the coping saw? Thanks.... nice work
i have never seen this guide before. i would like to get one. where is the source?..nice technique and a very good instructional video, thank you.
Hi, The guides can be bought from Classic Hand tools or Highland Woodworking, both ship worldwide. All the best, David.
While going close to gauge line on pin board wouldn't it be a good idea to use backing board to prevent accidental blow out ?!
Good thinking, yes that would be a good idea, you could also back up the end pins as well from the side. All the best, David.
About number of teeth:
What are the TPI of this Japanese saw and that other English dovetail saw you used in the angled dovetails video?
The Japanese saw is 22 tpi and the Skelton saw 17 tpi. All the best, David.
Would it be worth it, do you think, to use the fret saw to remove some of the waste before chiseling? Or is it too complicated and delicate with the odd angle and the shallow walls to be worth it?
Hi Brian, I don't think it would be worth it, the only other method I use is a trim router with a support board to the rear, great if there are lots to do. All the best, David.
On chisels. In the course o flattening the backs of my set I inadvertently rounded the back-side edges very slightly. On my 12 mm chisel it's less than 0.5 mm I think. Would you consider such chisels not fit for dovetailing? How about furniture-scale mortise and tenon?
That sounds ok to me, the most important thing is you keep them sharp. All the best, David.
Brilliant thanks mate
No Problem.
Thank you
Just angle that pin board in the Vise by clamping the edges rather than the faces and you will be able to see both the web line and baseline at the same time. It will then just involve standing in the appropriate different orientation to the task. Piece of cake folks.
How much are the dovetail guide mate thanks
They are £35 or $49 depends where you live. Classic Hand Tools in the UK and Highland Woodworking in the US. All the best, David.
only just found this why no more videos :(
I made the mistake of laying out and cutting the half blind pins first! Now im trying to figure out how to transfer them to the tails!
It's a bit late, now, but for anyone else in this position, try making a rubbing (i.e. a paper template). If the paper is stiff enough, it might just save your work.
Does anyone know where I can find a dovetail guide like the one in this video?
Thank u very much how much for the dovetail saw as a beginner myself I wouldn't want a very expensive one plz
Buy second-hand one, cheaply, plus a sharpening file.
Watch Paul Sellers on saw sharpening.
You don't need a special saw for dovetails. A fine tenon saw works perfectly well.
Wow!
Or could u recommend me in rgt place for a dovetail saw please thanks
dan barrow you can get his recommended saw from Amazon for $40
I like your approach! You should have better lights or better camera, sometimes we miss the accurate view. Thank you!
Why do you add a bit of timber to the end of your tite-mark David??
Many thanks for the videos.
Hi Jamie, with the wheel marker pressed hard against the wood, friction quickly builds up making the guide harder to use. The lignum disc makes things run very smoothly. All the best, David.
Thanks David.
On a side note:- would be great to see you doing full projects, (with a paid download or subscription) using mainly handtools.
what type of chisels are those.
Blue Spruce dovetail chisels, they are very nice. All the best, David.
This is a very necessary thing to know how to do in my SMALL business of antique restoration....never more than one or two drawers far and few in between...so machinery would be a complete waste....
But I am very...VERY shocked at the amount of TH-cam videos on dovetails and half blinds 😯
Even people ripping boards by hand!?!
Are you guys doing this just for a hobby or is there actually a profitable demand for this kinda thing?
In my case, it's the satisfaction of developing the necessary skill, and also the challenge of not making a mess of the finished item.
I suspect this will be the same with other people - just look at the comments on any of the Paul Sellers videos.
Making dovetails must be super exhausting /looking at the sope if your upper arms/ :-)
yes it can be at times!
"easy"