Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
Hi Bridger

On the making of dovetails, I read an interesting account on dovetails in the 18th century from Richard Maguire (theenglishwoodworker.com), link below.

Richard commented that he found it took the same time to make well-fitted as ill-fitted dovetails. The conclusion was that a likely reason for ill-fitted dovetails (by a decent woodworker) was not speed, but the poor quality of the saw. The only way he could replicate the "scruffy" dovetails was to cut them with a panel saw.

It would be helpful to know more about the quality of saw plates in the 18th century. Richard is knowledgable in this regard. I have seen good and bad saws in my time. I also acknowledge that, even when I rush (which is a relative statement since I do not have deadlines in the same way as a pro), my dovetails still tend to be a close fit off the saw. That is, I view each aspect of a build as being equally important. Have times changed that much?

Regards from Cape Town

Derek