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Handcut Dovetail progress update

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Handcut Dovetail progress update

#1

Handcut Dovetail progress update

Ken Rozema - Whitby Ontario

>Hi All,

Been extremely busy with work and kids so I have not actually built too much lately (a box for my daughters trinkets, an organizer for pen's, markers, picture frame, etc), so instead of frustrating myself by lack of serious progress, I decided to use what little time I have each day to practise my handcut dovetail technique and see if I could finally get it down before the cold weather hits. The picture below shows an early attempt that was good enough to take a picture of. I was very proud of it at the time since it actually fit together, it's a little sloppy, but the point is, it actually fit! (maple)


After much practise and even more scrap, I was able to do this one. Who says you can't get anything done if you can only spare a few minutes a day? (pine) Took me about 20 minutes or so to do this one and it fit "slmost perfectly" from the first attempt.....


Thanks for looking and if I can do this, anyone can. I'm really looking forward to using this in a project.

KenR

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

#2

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

Jonathan Kaplan (OR)

>Wow -

The latest dovetails look great, and the improvement is really impressive. Congrats!

jk

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

#3

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

Stephen Kirk in Quakertown PA

>Great looking dovetails so far. I'm doing the same thing, just trying one practice joint here and there as I have time. I've done 2 so far, one fit and one didn't. It's all good practice, and I'm learning to control the saw and the chisel a little better. I think my problem at the moment is not being accurate enough in layout. I'll have to work on that.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

#4

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

Arw01

>Those look pretty good actually.

You could cut your tail board a bit thinner so that the pins extend just a touch above the tail board. Then when you plane it flush, it's easier and neater.

Alan

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

#5

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

Kelby

>Ken, that last one looks great! How many practice attempts did you have between the first picture and the second one?

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

#6

Re: Handcut Dovetail progress update

Ken Rozema - Whitby Ontario

>Thanks for the kind comments,

How many attempts? I can't say how many times I've practised but there has been a lot of cursing coming from my garage over at least the last month or so. I was having some trouble with figuring out how to cut with respect to the lines, now I just make sure I cut a little on the waste side and it works perfectly. Keeping the chisel sharp also made a huge difference (also taking my time helped). I read the article from Frank Klausz (sp?) in Popular Woodworking recently and it really de-mystified the process for me (I really was over thinking it).

Used the LV bargain priced Dozuki and the the LV marking guages.

Thanks,

KenR

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