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caspersteve
14th December 2000, 04:29 PM
I know this might be a bit of a dumb question but is there a way to get these joins to work without having to buy an expensive jig or gismo. I have tried it on some not so good woods and ended up with some not so good results. Any help is kindly appreciated and to all, thanks in advance.

Iain
14th December 2000, 05:12 PM
Yes, there is a way, the Spanish method....Manual http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/wink.gif .
You need a tenon or fret saw, a chisel and a template which you can draw yourselve. Alternatevly you can draw a line at an angle across the end grain of one of the boards and cut out the 'tails' then line up the board with the board to be joined and pencil in the lines and then cut these out. A jig is quicker and probably neater although some old hands can cut these out quicker than some using a jig.
I have seen a jig for sale that is only $120 with blade and will accommodate a 12" board, it cuts both at once. I use one of these for drawers etc and it is not a bad unit.

caspersteve
15th December 2000, 08:07 AM
Why thank you for that, not really the way i wanted to do it but it might just have to do... http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/biggrin.gif

John Saxton
1st January 2001, 08:17 PM
Hi, there are some very good books and videos out that may give you a good idea on achieving clean dovetails.
If you have access to a library then may I suggest you check out the woodworking books there.
I have a video called Dovetails Made Simple....by Jim Kingshott an English Woodworker of some note and revered by his contempories.
Some of the woodworking supply shops carry these videos and allow you to hire them for a modest amount.
This particular video was produced by"KnowHow Productions, PO Box 44, Leatherhead,Surrey KT22 7AE England Ph.01372 457358.
I think it cost about $25.00 some time back.
I personally use a Leigh jig for making a batch of drawers etc and I think it is second to none for a fast method of producing either through or half blind dovetails,but there is a good argument for doing these by hand and a sense of achievement when you produce snug fitting tails and pins.
Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gifIhope this is if some help to you.

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Johnno

[This message has been edited by John Saxton (edited 01 January 2001).]

AlexS
2nd January 2001, 08:07 AM
There are heaps of good books & articles on manually cutting dovetails, but often they give differing advice - cut tails first, cut pins first - etc.

Most seem to describe a method that works for the author, so I suggest that you pick a method that you understand, then practice lots. The first few may be pretty rough & ready, but suddenly, one day, you will make a box or something where all the joints are tight and look great, and then you will know it was worth doing.

Good Luck

ubeaut
2nd January 2001, 10:03 AM
Here are a couple of videos from my collection that you will find very helpful.

Two vidios for routered dovetail joints:
Router Joinery - with Gary Rogowski
Router Jigs and Tehniques - with Bernie Maas & Michael Fortune

I believe this is also a good video but haven't seen it. The Router Table Book - with Ernie Conover


For hand cut dovetail joints:
Dovetailing a Drawer - with Frank Klausz.
This is a great video. Bit sickening the ease and accuracy with which he chops these joints out. http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/rolleyes.gif But a brilliant learning tool. http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

These videos are from Taunton Press (http://www.taunton.com) click on this link for their web site, they have a number of online previews available. These videos should be available through your library. If not, insist that they get them in for you.

Hope this helps.

Cheers - Neil http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

caspersteve
10th January 2001, 01:03 PM
Thanks guys for all the information and help and I know now that a good read or a session with the video player is definitely on the cards. I hope the missus loves interesting videos ( Like sure that will happen )....

barrysumpter
14th January 2001, 06:20 PM
Dude! Save some money and have a look thru Australian Woodsmith No 11. (AU$5.95) It tells you all about dovetalis and how to build a really cool dovetail jig.

Else have a look at Australian Woodsmith No. 10. (AU$5.95) It tells you all about finger joints. And how to build a finger joint jig.

Its my opinion that finger joints are very easy compared to dovetail joints.

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Thanks,
Barry G. Sumpter
Proud Tritoneer



[This message has been edited by barrysumpter (edited 14 January 2001).]