Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    central coast
    Age
    59
    Posts
    46

    Default shipwrights dovetail

    Well heres one for you blokes.
    Does any one have or can draw a shipwrights dovetail for me .
    I would like to see if I can make one its a real mind bender.
    As i recall 3 apprentices over 60 years sucseeded in making one, succsesfully in all the years shippys were at ulltimo tafe it was our final prac exam.
    what a doozy she was I failed missrably.:mad:
    they the teachers only gave us two views top and end view.
    Man i couldnt even get me head around it for 2hours i tried :eek: so i made a wooden mallet instead and got 50% mark?????
    i got that mark cause i said that you cannot build somthing if you cannot understand the drawing to start with.
    he said good point and said I showed promise hence the mark.
    Any way none of us was remotely close to his sample.
    Its a T joint sorta dovetail like and when you pull it apart it reveals some angled suprises.
    The joint was used in deck beam ends and mast partners . I remember it didnt have any right angles and if water got into the join it would have to get through 3 angles to get out the other side.
    hope you can help thanks:confused: viking

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Daylesford, Victoria
    Posts
    402

    Default

    Hi Viking,

    There's two joints that I know of...which one do you mean:

    1 (I think this is the "t" joint you mean) is used often to join deck beams to the beam-shelf or carlings to the beams. Cut like a dovetail on the end of the beam, and a corresponding hole cut in the beam shelf. I will try to find some pics...some model shipwrights do them...if they're hard to cut on a real boat, imagine doing one 2mm across!

    2 The other one is used as a corner joint in deck structure - hatch coamings, box benches, etc...this is like a large single dovetail to hold the 2 adjoining faces together at 90 degrees. It's purpose was that if any water got into the joint, it would not have a flat surface to pool in, and would always flow outwards from the fitting. I have pics of this, but for a great example, get down to Sydney and onto the James Craig...they did lovely ones on all deck furniture joints. Inspiring and depressing at the same time!

    Let me know which one, and I'll look up and scan some pics for you in the meantime. And congrats on giving one a go...they are tricky joints but fantastic when you get them right (as you've seen!).

    Regards,
    Darren

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Posts
    84

    Default

    Yes I remember Ultimo tech , Liquid lunches at the Vulcan.

    And the shipwright dovetails. Made one last month, please don't ask me to explain how.
    Had to remember how it was done as I don't think I made one since early 90s.
    Remember the outside point of dovetail faces down and the blocks are divided into thirds of the block width when they are being marked out. Remember thirds and you can usually picture them out and mark out a test run.

    Too many liquid lunches at the vulcan

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Craggy Island
    Posts
    174

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by viking
    Well heres one for you blokes.
    Does any one have or can draw a shipwrights dovetail for me .
    I would like to see if I can make one its a real mind bender.
    As i recall 3 apprentices over 60 years sucseeded in making one, succsesfully in all the years shippys were at ulltimo tafe it was our final prac exam.
    what a doozy she was I failed missrably.:mad:
    they the teachers only gave us two views top and end view.
    Man i couldnt even get me head around it for 2hours i tried :eek: so i made a wooden mallet instead and got 50% mark?????
    i got that mark cause i said that you cannot build somthing if you cannot understand the drawing to start with.
    he said good point and said I showed promise hence the mark.
    Any way none of us was remotely close to his sample.
    Its a T joint sorta dovetail like and when you pull it apart it reveals some angled suprises.
    The joint was used in deck beam ends and mast partners . I remember it didnt have any right angles and if water got into the join it would have to get through 3 angles to get out the other side.
    hope you can help thanks:confused: viking
    If you PM your address I'll post a copy to you.It's A2 size so it will be 2 sheets...one with the drawings and one with a description.
    There's a boat inside me trying to get out.
    Was it something I ate?

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Craggy Island
    Posts
    174

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ModelShipwright
    Hi Viking,

    There's two joints that I know of...which one do you mean:

    1 (I think this is the "t" joint you mean) is used often to join deck beams to the beam-shelf or carlings to the beams. Cut like a dovetail on the end of the beam, and a corresponding hole cut in the beam shelf. I will try to find some pics...some model shipwrights do them...if they're hard to cut on a real boat, imagine doing one 2mm across!

    2 The other one is used as a corner joint in deck structure - hatch coamings, box benches, etc...this is like a large single dovetail to hold the 2 adjoining faces together at 90 degrees. It's purpose was that if any water got into the joint, it would not have a flat surface to pool in, and would always flow outwards from the fitting. I have pics of this, but for a great example, get down to Sydney and onto the James Craig...they did lovely ones on all deck furniture joints. Inspiring and depressing at the same time!

    Let me know which one, and I'll look up and scan some pics for you in the meantime. And congrats on giving one a go...they are tricky joints but fantastic when you get them right (as you've seen!).

    Regards,
    Darren
    It's No 2 ...and I have a copy of the drawing given to apprentices to make the joint.Do you want a copy?PM me if you do and I'll post it by snailmail.
    There's a boat inside me trying to get out.
    Was it something I ate?

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    central coast
    Age
    59
    Posts
    46

    Default thanks doods

    well liquid lunchs and the long winded mr lamburt who could talk for hours about xip beats workin ha well thanks for your imput all of you
    viking

  8. #7
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kuranda, paradise, North Qld
    Age
    62
    Posts
    5,639

    Default

    I'm intrigued and would like too see a drawing of this joint. Perhaps Viking or Darren could scan the drawing and post it in this thread (I'm assuming that Stevebaby hasn't got the facilities to do so).

    Mick
    "If you need a machine today and don't buy it,

    tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."

    - Henry Ford 1938

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Craggy Island
    Posts
    174

    Default

    Viking...it's on its way.Good luck with it.It's in 2 parts as the original is A2,so if anyone can tell me how to post it,I'll give it a go and learn something new!

    Mick....if you want a copy,PM your address and I'll send it by snailmail.
    It costs me $4.00 to copy and post it...so next time the salvos come around, if you can sling them a few bucks...
    There's a boat inside me trying to get out.
    Was it something I ate?

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Posts
    84

    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by viking
    well liquid lunchs and the long winded mr lamburt who could talk for hours about xip beats workin ha well thanks for your imput all of you
    viking
    Always good to have a yarn to, great teacher too. Wonder what Kieth's doing now? I think practical classes were the only times I didn't fall asleep. None of those drousy planing coefficients or how great this composite crappy material that gives you cancer is - just straight to the 'goodies' Wood hacking - the reason I choose this career.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    34
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Hi all,

    Sorry to dredge this one up! but can i please get a copy of the Shipwrights dove tail? i need to build a new hatch!

    Cheers
    Sam

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Katoomba NSW
    Posts
    4,770

    Default

    Sorry AWB, stevebaby hasn't been on since 2014 and viking was booted nearly 10 years ago.Try a google search. It brings up a few references.
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

Similar Threads

  1. Father and Son - IT and LN dovetail saws
    By derekcohen in forum HAND TOOLS - POWERED
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 18th August 2006, 09:14 PM
  2. Dovetail Jig Stress
    By Naf in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 21st October 2005, 12:44 AM
  3. To dovetail saw or not to dovetail saw...
    By Shannon in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 8th May 2005, 11:27 AM
  4. Dovetail slots
    By ElectroLad in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 22nd November 2003, 08:14 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •