Thread: Dovetail joints

Driver

I recently purchased the Veritas jig and dovetail saw. It is very nicely made and the instruction booklet is detailed and explicit. I have limited experience with it as yet, but have made a few good practice joints. I plan shortly to be using it for real.

I have every confidence that it is what you are looking for if you are interested in hand cut dovetails.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Driver,

Unless you are doing large production type runs, have you considered doing hand dovetails? Hand dovetails can be variably spaced, are satisfying to make and do not take very long to make.

An amateur like myself can easily make four drawers in one day and that includes dovetailing front and back and fitting the drawers. One day in the life of an amateur also includes sleeping in on Saturday and Sunday, stopping for friends dropping in etc.

Using a bandsaw instead of a using hand dovetail saw is quicker and less effort. If you are only doing the occasional dovetail, instead of purchasing an expensive dovetail jig, you could purchase a bandsaw or upgrade your current bandsaw which is a more universal tool than a dovetail jig.

- Wood Borer

Wood Borer

You'll not get an argument from me - I agree hand cut dovetails are the way to go. The Veritas jig mentioned above IS for cutting dovetails by hand, one at a time. It is not a dovetail machine. All it does is allign the saw accurately. You still need to chop/bandsaw the ends (whatever takes your fancy). Cheap too - $75 from Carba-Tec.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,

Sorry, I thought it was one of those seemingly impressive and expensive dovetail jigs that some people purchase but have trouble selling after becoming frustrated with complicated setup procedures unless they are regularly using the jig.

I checked it out on the Carbatec Website and the jig looks really good although my interpretation is that you will need to buy two guides if you want to work in both hardwood and softwood.

Good to see more people into hand dovetails, should be more of it. I think the most difficult aspect of hand dovetail joints is overcoming the mental barrier of having a go at them. A few failures at first but quickly you can make reasonable (not perfect) joints after the initial practice runs.

I have heard excellent reports about the Roger Gifkins jig which is simple, works well, made and designed by a woodworker and best of all is Australian made.



- Wood Borer

CAn one of you guys do me a favour and post the
Web site address for this Carba tek. I want to see how similiar it is to our Lee Valley Tools.

http://www.leevalley.com/home/main.asp

thanks

Mark

Mark go to the home page, Carba Tec is listed in the Suppliers List.
Cheers
Barry

www.carbatec.com.au

Thanks for the replies, fellas. I've been away for a couple of days, hence the late response. Derek, I appreciate the comments on the Veritas gear. You've convinced me. I'll get one this weekend.

Driver

Driver
I boght the Lee Valley saw and there 3/4" magnets and made my own to cut the pins. I cut the tails on the table saw. I dovetail front & back of the drawers and clamp up to 6 sides together to cut the tails. you only have to layout one end of one piece. You make 4 cuts with each setting. I remove most of the waste on the scroll saw & clean upwith a chisel. Check out the lectern and blanket boxes on my site
paul
Pauls Woodworking

http://www.carbatecwa.com.au/
Here is the WA url.

Just had a look at your website Paul. Very impressive. I really envy you the workshop - it's magnificent. The quality of your work is pretty good, too (so as not to offend your Canadian sensibilities, I should probably explain that "pretty good" is Aussie understatement).

I actually bought a Veritas dovetail guide on the weekend from Carba-Tec. They didn't have the Veritas saw in stock so I bought a Japanese Z saw. I've made a couple of practice hand-cut dovetails. Very satisfying. (Hand planes, here we come, Derek!).

Driver