mortise and tenon VS dovetail

[gmcginty]

I'm about to make a few cabinet pieces and need to decide on my jointing technique. There are many but i like the dovetail for appearance and mortise and tenon for strength.
I'm looking to buy one machine (can't affort both) to do the joints and would like your view and what I'll get most long term value from.

Must admit I've been using the biscuit machine for table tops etc but don't see it doing finer cabinet work.

Thanks
Greg

[bigAl]

Hi Greg,

What machines (if any) are you thinking of?

Mortice and tenon are easy to do on a router table without spending any more money, the table saw is great for tenons, a sliding mitre saw also gives good results for tenons.

I'm using an Incra jig on the router table and it gives a good result in cutting dovetails en-masse. It can be fiddly to set up and I wouldn't recommend it for anything that requires really top quality.

Al.

[Rocker]

Greg,
The currently available commercially made mortise and tenon jigs are expensive and hard to justify for amateur woodworkers. It is cheap and easy to make your own mortisng and tenoning jigs. See, for example

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...&threadid=5633

and

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...&threadid=6219

Dovetail jigs are reviewed in the current (#41) Australian Wood Review.

[Barry_White]

Here is another version of a tenon jig

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...&threadid=6156

Regards

Bazza

[Wood Borer]

Greg,

If you aren't going into production with your dovetail joints, make them by hand.

Once you get the hang of it, you can do them fairly quickly using handtools or even quicker using a bandsaw without going to the expense of a dovetail jig.

More satisfying, cheaper and less dust but may take a little longer.

- Wood Borer

[Rocker]

I forgot to mention that commercial mortice and tenon jigs are reviewed in the current Fine Woodworking (#168). They range in price from US$545-US$2595. So, when you can make your own for much less than $100, why bother?

[derekcohen]

Greg

What tools, machines do you currently have?

Do you have a tablesaw (and if so what type)? A router (and if so, what size?). Have you any experience with handtools (such as saws, chisels) and what do you own?

This will influence the recommendations to be made.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[gmcginty]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I should make these joints myself.

For those that asked I have the following equipment:
8" buzzer
15" thicknesser
Hitachi 1/2" router 1600W 22000rpm on a home built router table
1.5 HP Durden Pacemaker saw with 6" buzzer.

Lots of tools but no jigs etc.

[DarrylF]

Greg,

You can cut tenons on your table saw easily - either with a dado blade or with a home built or commercial tenoning jig. Mortices can easily be done with a drill press, forstener bit and chisel, or with a mortising machine if you want to spend the $4-500.

I do mine with a $199 dado set to cut the tenons and a Delta mortising machine.

You can pick up a Chinese made half blind dovetail jig for maybe $130 for a good one from Carbatec. Personal preference (I have both) is the Gifkins jig and through dovetails - http://www.gifkins.com.au

Personally if it was a choice of only one thing, I'd get a dovetail jig - M & T joints aren't too bad by hand, but dovetails by hand is kinda tedious