Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Hand cut dovetails
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jburd641
01-22-04, 04:03 AM
I would like to try cutting dovetails by hand. I'm new to woodworking so I was wondering what kind of saw I should buy for this little endeavor. I know a router is the trick but I really would like to cut some dovetails by hand. Any recommendations?
I would like to try a Dozuki but I'm not sure if I would like it. Any help would be appreciated.
I would like to try a Dozuki but I'm not sure if I would like it. Any help would be appreciated.
Dave_D1945
01-22-04, 07:02 AM
You use.........(are you ready?)..........a dovetail saw. :)
It's a small, fine toothed, backsaw that is used to cut both pins and tails. Any decent hardware store should have them.
The most difficult part of cutting dovetails is getting the layout just right. It's a classic case of "measure twice and cut once".
Hand cutting a few dovetails is a good learning experience, but I can't imagine making hand cut dovetails on a large job since the time would run the cost way up. A good router and dovetailing jig would be the way to go.
It's a small, fine toothed, backsaw that is used to cut both pins and tails. Any decent hardware store should have them.
The most difficult part of cutting dovetails is getting the layout just right. It's a classic case of "measure twice and cut once".
Hand cutting a few dovetails is a good learning experience, but I can't imagine making hand cut dovetails on a large job since the time would run the cost way up. A good router and dovetailing jig would be the way to go.
marcusl
01-22-04, 06:45 PM
If you really want to go for it, Roy Underhill has shown how to do hand dovetails many times on his old show "The Woodright's Shop." He also covers it in his book of the same name, or his other book, "The Woodright Companion," I forget which. The shows are really neat, he does everything with 19th century techniques and doesn't stop the camera it starts rolling. I found the videos at
http://www.shoppbs.org/searchHandler/index.jsp?searchId=5310150424&keywords=woodwright
As for dovetail saws, be careful of the "gent's saws" that have a straight little handle and are passed off as dovetail saws. A real dovetail saw is heftier and has a full handle like a regular handsaw. See the Garrett Wade catalog for examples.
http://www.shoppbs.org/searchHandler/index.jsp?searchId=5310150424&keywords=woodwright
As for dovetail saws, be careful of the "gent's saws" that have a straight little handle and are passed off as dovetail saws. A real dovetail saw is heftier and has a full handle like a regular handsaw. See the Garrett Wade catalog for examples.
jburd641
01-23-04, 02:40 AM
Thanks for the advice.
Yesterday afternoon I found myself shopping for a birthday gift for the better half and I ended up where all men buy gifts for their women, Sears tool section. :-)
Since I was already there, I picked up what seemed to be a flushcut saw called a "Sharksaw". It has a straight handle and a double cut blade 9 1/2" long with 17tpi & 9tpi. I'm just looking to fool around some with the handcut dovetails for now anyway. If this saw doesn't work, I will still have a decent flushcut saw.
Oh, Marcus, I watch Roy Underhill every Sunday afternoon when I remember to. I get a lineup of great shows on PBS here that start with This Old House, Ask this old House, New Yankee Workshop and ends with The Woodright's shop. I just haven't seen any dovetail episodes yet. I'll make sure to catch all of Roy's shows now. Thanks
Yesterday afternoon I found myself shopping for a birthday gift for the better half and I ended up where all men buy gifts for their women, Sears tool section. :-)
Since I was already there, I picked up what seemed to be a flushcut saw called a "Sharksaw". It has a straight handle and a double cut blade 9 1/2" long with 17tpi & 9tpi. I'm just looking to fool around some with the handcut dovetails for now anyway. If this saw doesn't work, I will still have a decent flushcut saw.
Oh, Marcus, I watch Roy Underhill every Sunday afternoon when I remember to. I get a lineup of great shows on PBS here that start with This Old House, Ask this old House, New Yankee Workshop and ends with The Woodright's shop. I just haven't seen any dovetail episodes yet. I'll make sure to catch all of Roy's shows now. Thanks
marcusl
01-23-04, 09:59 AM
Lucky! Wish I got Roy's show in my area. I used to watch every week when I lived in California, but I haven't seen an episode in years now. Nasal Norm and crew are good, but I miss the Woodwright's integrity and humor.
Your double-sided flush-cut saw is probably flexible, and I bet has no "set" to the teeth. Great for cutting off dowel plugs or the bottoms of door jambs without scratching the wood floor, maybe not great for cutting dovetails.
Recommend that you get a backsaw (stiff metal crimp along the back). The teeth on specialty dovetail saws are filed with a rip profile (since you're always cutting end-grain), but even a general-purpose Gent's saw will serve.
regards,
Your double-sided flush-cut saw is probably flexible, and I bet has no "set" to the teeth. Great for cutting off dowel plugs or the bottoms of door jambs without scratching the wood floor, maybe not great for cutting dovetails.
Recommend that you get a backsaw (stiff metal crimp along the back). The teeth on specialty dovetail saws are filed with a rip profile (since you're always cutting end-grain), but even a general-purpose Gent's saw will serve.
regards,