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.:rolleyes:
Its a T joint sorta dovetail like and when you pull it apart it reveals some angled suprises. :D
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

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

Yes I remember Ultimo tech :D , 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 :D

Quote:

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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.:rolleyes:
Its a T joint sorta dovetail like and when you pull it apart it reveals some angled suprises. :D
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

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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.

Quote:

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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

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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.

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

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

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...:)

Quote:

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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

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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':D Wood hacking - the reason I choose this career.

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

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.