A couple of dovetail markers

Re: A couple of dovetail markers

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Nice bling, really pretty, Derek; but I'd like to see one in plexiglass (or some other clear plastic), which makes it much easier to see what you're doing.

Pam

Re: A couple of dovetail markers

Stephen Shepherd in the State of Deseret

>Last year I sold my dovetail gauge, it did two different angles, one for hardwoods and one for softwoods. I sold it because I never use it any more.

I use a square to mark out my dovetails, I always gang saw the sides together, so I am a tails first kind of guy. I do use a marking gauge to mark the thickness, and roughly mark the tails position.

I use the square to mark lines over the two, four or six pieces I am sawing at the same time. The angles are just eyeballed. I found that it took more time to lay out the dovetails with a dovetail gauge and I have tried most of them, so now I just don't care.

And this seems to work just fine, no matter the angle of the tail, with an accurate transfer of the tails to the pins, pin removal is easily accomplished with a cranked dovetail blade in a bowsaw.

Stephen

Re: A couple of dovetail markers

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Thanks, Stephen. Since I normally freehand dovetails I don't really need a marker; but Ernie sent me a little one, not clear, for secret santa that I tried and like. It's small enough that it almost doesn't matter that it's opaque.

I'd use a clear gauge for marking out very thin dovetails when it's important to space them precisely for several drawers. I'd also use a custom made clear gauge or normal bevel gauge for marking out dovetails on an angle.

Pam

Re: A couple of dovetail markers

Stuart Hough

>Derek, Really nice work! All I can say is WOW!

Re: A couple of dovetail markers

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Hi Pam

Clear plexiglass is all too sensible. We can't have that! Also, there is no bling ... wait a mo', what about plexiglass framed in stainless steel? Better hope that Rob Lee is not reading this! :)

Regards from Perth

Derek (claiming that I am still delirious)

Re: A couple of dovetail markers

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Hi Stephen

I have been known to cut dovetails the same way as you. The only lines that really matter, particularly is you are a Tails First team member (as I am), are lining things up square (gang cutting helps here) and cutting to a depth. But I am a little fussy about the angles I cut, especially when they are a design feature, so I usually take the time to mark them out.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Not plexiglass

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>which is another trade name that's become a generic reference, like kleenex and formica - acrylic, anyhow.

Polycarbonate, which doesn't scratch as easily, would be better.

But where would Rob put the set screws?

:)

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>

Well, well, well. Just another reason why

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>I won't be entering the tool making contest. Way to much competition.

That's not bling, You realy need to cover it with diamonds.

Nice gauge.

Re: Well, well, well. Just another reason why

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Well Scott, I think that you are lulling us into a state of false confidence. In my mind you are the sleeper in the tool comp. Just what have you got up your sleeve? Mmmmmmmmmmmmm?! :)

Warm regards from Perth

Derek

Can't you smell the smoke?

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>I'm still thinking about it, and not coming up with much.

Re: A couple of dovetail markers

BobStrawn

>Here is an Odd Job, and a Barneywood Odd Job rip off that I made. I like using it much more than the brass one. The three lexan strips (from left to right) are a straight edge, a marking gage, and a dovetail marker. I only made the straight edge, the marking gage and dovetail marker where made by a clever bloke who resides on another forum.

Bob