Support WoodCentral when buying things you need
Articles Forums Gallery Marketplace Videos

WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

REAL MILK PAINT

First handcut dovetails gloat

Posts

First handcut dovetails gloat

#1

First handcut dovetails gloat

Schwim near Detroit

>This weekend I decided that I would attempt to cut my first dovetails with my new handtools. What a blast, I'm very happy with the results, though I know I need lots of practice before I try it on a real project. Any constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

I'm still working on the couch and have made a mess in the living room, but will have free reign on a new basement shop when my wife and I begin moving on Tuesday... I can't wait. My first project will be to build a workbench.

Thanks, Schwim


img

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

#2

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

Alan Hamilton

>Schwim,

They look awfully good to me. The only thing I would suggest is that you come over and show me how you did it.

Alan

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

#3

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat *LINK*

Schwim near Detroit

>I found the site below very helpful. Also just reading along on this site has been great. Thanks everyone for your wisedom. Schwim


Handcut Dovetails

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

#4

Great job!

Bruce, a MN Galoot

>I think you've got the hang of it as well as the bug for making more. Keep up the good work.

Bruce

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

#5

Outstanding!!

Wiley Horne--Glendora CA

>

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

#6

Your a better man than me...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Schwim. I would have never called my first DT attempt "A Blast". I was definetly NOT happy with my first results either. They look very nice. Good luck on your move and new shop space too!

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

#7

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

Ernie Miller Topeka

>It looks like the arm of that couch is plenty stout enough for Dt's but I would think twice befor moving on to chopping mortices. Like every one else says they look good to me.

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

#8

Good job!

Paul M. in San Diego

>If you got results that good while working on a freaking couch, think of how good they would be at a bench! I'm trying to visualize how I would cut dovetails freehand on a couch. If I tried that, it would look like I used a rabid beaver to cut the boards. Not pretty at all.

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

#9

Thanks All

Schwim near Detroit

>I actually had the board clamped to the arm of the couch with a Bessey K body. I wasn't holding the board freehand. No THAT would be cool--LOL. I almost aborted the project half way through to restart after I cut the tails (cut first). I thought they were too messy. Glad I didn't, they cleaned up nice and endgrain woodchips in the gaps combined with swelling of the wood from the glue helped a lot.

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

#10

Re: First handcut dovetails gloat

Angelo in Cornwall, NY

>Looks great, esp considering no bench. Congrats and good luck on the house...now you have all those neat home owner things to take up yor time.....leaky pipes, clogged drains, stuck windows....

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.