Thread: A first step on the slippery slope

G'Day Rocker,

You really don't need the guide, so long as you can mark accurately - and cut to that line, just on the waste side (a task that I must admit sometimes eludes me).

One hint though: I've found that a decent dovetail saw that is quite rigid is best, the flexible Dozuki-type saws can cut with a very fine kerf, but can also flex through the cut so that the resulatnt cut isn't straight; on the other hand, a rigid saw may be harder to start, and will typically continue with the line originally started, but will give a nice clean straight line.

Another hint: go visit a darksider and watch. I did with Wood Borer - and was suitably impressed - enough to get into the shadows at least

Cheers!

Don't go there Rocker, there is no return. We can't afford to lose another to the dark side.

Rocker, Rocker, Rocker.................

How could you???

A devotee of the Leigh jig............. I mean, just, how could you?????

Rocker
I'm with the major on this one. The only good hand tool in my shed is the on/off switch on my machines. (apart from my mujis that is )

Caliban,

Actually Major is two-faced; I happen to know that he has sold his Leigh jig, and taken up cutting dovetails by hand. I might even do the same myself, since I don't expect to make a lot more dovetailed items.

Rocker

Originally Posted by Rocker

Up to now I have always cut dovetails using a Leigh jig. But recently I saw an item in FW's Methods of Work showing how to make a dovetail guide which works in a similar fashion to the Veritas dovetail guide that sells for US$34.50. True to my parsimonious Scottish ancestry, I couldn't resist making it from a few offcuts of jarrah and four 3/8" x 1/10" rare earth magnets - total cost less than US$2. With a $10 dovetail marker and a $20 dovetail saw (with a 0.4 mm kerf) from LV, I was set up to cut dovetails by hand. I haven't actually cut any yet, but I might

Rocker

Rocker, get a real dovetail saw. That one from LV is a piece of crap!:mad: I struggled with it for a while, thinking that it was my technique that was the problem. Then I used my LN saw. What a difference!

Rocker,

You write as if you are weakening, being beaten, surrendering .... You are really entering a new phase of consciousness, a rebirth ....

Another string to your bow which will allow your already high standard of woodwork to sky rocket even further.

Mate --

What a great opportunity to build yourself a dovetail saw! I did one for myself last Saturday. See my other post in this BB on 'Wooden-backed dovetail saw'. Only, use a thinner piece of blade than I did.

Lots of fun. Alternatively, you could make a brass-backed saw using instructions from: http://www.norsewoodsmith.com/ww/dovetail/bs-index.htm

Good dovetailing!
GW

Wood Borer,

My teasing of the Dark Side is tongue-in-cheek. In fact I have a good deal of admiration for people who have acquired hand-tool skills. I have to make up for my lack of them by using machines to do the job, where possible.

Don,

My wallet would scream blue murder if it had to shell out $267 for a LN dovetail saw, or even $175 for their cheaper version. The trial cuts I have made with the Veritas one, using my home-made dovetail guide look pretty good to me.

Rocker

You are being too modest Rocker.

I reckon you would be as good as anyone else with the hand tools. I only wish I had your skills with the power tools - I will endeavour to improve my jig and power tool skills.

It is good see some people with balanced views on the hand tool / power tool issue. Anyone who blindly defends either argument is only kidding themselves.

I have built the same guides and used them successfully, although I put more magnets in than you did. They make it very easy to cut along the line so you just have to concentrate on stopping the cut when you reach the bottom.

I am using a one-edges pull-saw with a stiffener on the top and it works fine.

David,
here is a great inexpensive dovetail saw if you decide Don was right about your LV saw.

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com...ROD&ProdID=891

Green Woodchips,

I am afraid my metalworking skills are non-existent; I wouldn't even consider attempting to make a dovetail saw.

Ryan,

I think that dovetail saw would not work with my dovetail guide - the back would get in the way. If I used a back-saw, the blade would need to be about 3" tall.

Don,

I think your poor opinion of the Veritas saw was due to your attempting to use it without a dovetail guide. The blade is too flexible for it to be used effectively in that manner. In fact, as Starr suggests, I might add some more magnets to my jig to ensure that the saw blade is held firmly against the jig, so as to eliminate any possibility of the blade flexing.

Rocker

Rocker --

See how many of us are trying to push you further down the slope!

My metalworking skills are like yours: I have none.

All my handmade saw required in terms of metalworking was:
1/ Insert metal-cutting blade in Makita saw
2/ Mark out shape of intended blade
3/ Cut out shape of intended blade, cooling with water as we go
4/ File off rough edges

And in terms of the lead:
1/ Put lead scraps into old beetroot tin
2/ Turn on BBQ
3/ Melt lead
4/ Pour lead

Where's the skill in that? C'mon! You can do it! There's nothing to it, and you can built exactly the saw to suit your needs! And you get the fun of doing it all yourself!

Cheers,
GW