Popular Post bgreenb Posted August 23, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Recently I decided I had waited far too long into my woodworking career to learn how to hand cut dovetails. To my discredit, one of the first tools I bought was a leigh jig. I was but a young n00b, wanted to make some dovetailed drawers on a table, and said "hmm what's the easiest way to accomplish this joint." $500 later I was taking the easy way out of one of the most fundamental joints in woodworking. Now as a more mature woodworker, I felt weighed down by the shame and sought to cast it off. I give credit to @Lester Burnham, as his efforts were no small part of my inspiration. I cut one practice joint per night for about a week. It was an interesting process, in that I was surprised in "both directions" as it were. That is, I was initially very surprised at how difficult it was. By that I mean I (foolishly) thought "I'm a decently experienced woodworker...I've made some decent stuff...I can cut a damn fine M&T...this should be cake." The first few joints were humbling. But then I was also surprised at how quickly you get the hang of it. It ain't rocket science. Proper technique is obviously most important, but once you understand the technique it's literally just about putting the time in. Anyway, once I felt I was ready for prime time, I set about making something useful. I settled on @Eric.'s incidental boxes from last year: A beautiful and simple design that allowed me to simply focus on the dovetail joinery. I decided to make two boxes, one for each of my kids. Here they are. Apologies for the crappy lighting and pics. One mahogany and one cherry box. Both with curly maple lids and liners. Finished with Tried and True original finish. Once again, an exact copy of Eric's design. The dovetails aren't perfect (wish I had made the pins a little thinner), but I feel pretty happy with the results. My daughter (5yo) was very excited, and chose the mahogany one. My son (2yo) was...not very excited. My wife was impressed, which paid...dividends. Enjoy. 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 I dont do hand cut dovetails but I do no your boxes look great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Nice job, B! They look great and the curly maple liners are a nice surprise. I like...dividends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Excellent job. Dividends eh? That's always...nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted August 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 49 minutes ago, Lester Burnham said: Those look killer, B. I still haven't made a dovetail box yet, I hope mine turn out that sweet. Thanks bro. After that coffee table, a couple boxes will be a piece of cake for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Boxes look great Brian, very nicely done! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Nice job, Brian! Clean and tight, the way dovetails should be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted August 24, 2017 Report Share Posted August 24, 2017 Those are awesome dude! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted August 26, 2017 Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 Very nicely done. Keep it up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Those look great Brian! Like you I bought a Leigh jig first. Unlike you I have yet to make hand cut dovetails. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Looks fantastic, Brian. Great job on the dovetails, they look perfect ! Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denette Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Man. Those are very nice! The joinery is especially well done. I tried to see anything imperfect. I zoomed in and everything. Those are just about perfect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted August 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 Thanks for the compliments everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 Brian what did you think of the Tried and True original? I like it for smaller items but surely wouldn't want to use it on anything very big - it's like trying to spread honey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted September 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2017 On 9/11/2017 at 6:14 PM, estesbubba said: Brian what did you think of the Tried and True original? I like it for smaller items but surely wouldn't want to use it on anything very big - it's like trying to spread honey! Sorry Mike, somehow I missed this question last week. I wasn't a big fan of T&T, to be honest. The application is straightforward enough, I suppose, but I feel like Danish oil is easier and gives the exact same (or better) appearance. Definitely wouldn't use it on anything but small projects, like you said. But I have a whole can of it now, so I may still use it on some boxes and whatnot down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Just tuned in to this. Nice work Brian! Did you use a backsaw or Japanese saw? I agree with Eric about the surprise lining - cool touch. I started trying a dovetail a day a couple of months ago then got sidetracked. I’ve been reading Tom Fidgen’s book Made by Hand and last night came across the section on dovetailing. Just finished a project so now’s a good time to get back at it. Thanks for the added inspiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted September 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 10 hours ago, prov163 said: Just tuned in to this. Nice work Brian! Did you use a backsaw or Japanese saw? I agree with Eric about the surprise lining - cool touch. I started trying a dovetail a day a couple of months ago then got sidetracked. I’ve been reading Tom Fidgen’s book Made by Hand and last night came across the section on dovetailing. Just finished a project so now’s a good time to get back at it. Thanks for the added inspiration. Thanks! I used a backsaw (LN dovetail saw), which I've grown pretty comfortable with. I previously had a Veritas dovetail saw which I really didn't like. It may be just me because I know others on the forum like it, but I could never get it to cut smoothly, whereas the LN worked right out of the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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