
The Beginning of My Dovetail Journey
Ah, dovetails, one of the great gauntlets to run for the intrepid woodworker. Whether plugged or unplugged, sooner or later every woodworker will consider the path of hand cut dovetails. There is something very appealing about the fine fit of hand cut slender pins and the satisfaction of mastering chisels and the dovetail saw.
I recently have started down this woodworking slippery slope. I have acquired my weapons of choice. I’ve done my research reading textbooks and watching some instructional DVD’s. One of my favorites is Rob Cosman’s Dovetailing Series and Shop Manual. I also got a lot of inspiration from Thomas J. MacDonald, aka T-Chisel, over at The Rough Cut Show. If you want to get inspired to work on hand tool skills and raise the level of your work than check out The Rough Cut Show and join "The rough Cutters" Forum. So, over time I will share my progress as I work to master this essential woodworking skill.
One of the best bits of advice comes from Fine Woodworking Contributor Gary Rogowski, Studio Director of The Northwest Woodworking Studio in Portland, Oregon. In his video clip The Five-Minute Dovetail. He uses this as a “warm-up exercise” before beginning work. Excellent advice I took to heart. So, with that in mind I set aside some pre-dimensioned stock so I could quickly set-up and cut a joint each day. I did pretty well for a week. Then work and some other commitments put up a roadblock. I am just recovering from an injury (something to blog about later!) so I will be back at it soon!
DOVETAIL TOOLS - My weapons of choice
Lie-Nielson Dovetail Saw
Lie-Nielson Chisels
Adjustable Frame Fret Saw
Dovetail Marking Gauge
Starrett 6" Dividers
Sharp Knife - X-Acto
FAVORITE DOVETAIL RESOURCES FROM THE INTERNET
Rob Cosman - Your Hand Tool Coach
Alan Wood • Hand Cut Dovetails
Unknown Author • Hand Cut Dovetails
FAVORITE DOVETAIL RESOURCES FROM FINE WOODWORKING
All About Dovetail Joints by Mario Rodriguez
My Favorite Dovetail Tricks: Five ways to increase accuracy and reduce the time it takes to execute this hand-cut joint by Christian Becksvoort
Cutting Dovetails - Learn from Five Experts: Chris Gochnour, Andy Rae, Christian Becksvoort, Gary Rogowski, and Philip Lowe share their dovetail-cutting expertise in this roundup of videos and articles from the Fine Woodworking archives by Fine Woodworking editors
The Five-Minute Dovetail: Practice hand-cut dovetails without the pressure in this easy exercise to strengthen your hand-tool skills with Gary Rogowski
Ah, dovetails, one of the great gauntlets to run for the intrepid woodworker. Whether plugged or unplugged, sooner or later every woodworker will consider the path of hand cut dovetails. There is something very appealing about the fine fit of hand cut slender pins and the satisfaction of mastering chisels and the dovetail saw.
I recently have started down this woodworking slippery slope. I have acquired my weapons of choice. I’ve done my research reading textbooks and watching some instructional DVD’s. One of my favorites is Rob Cosman’s Dovetailing Series and Shop Manual. I also got a lot of inspiration from Thomas J. MacDonald, aka T-Chisel, over at The Rough Cut Show. If you want to get inspired to work on hand tool skills and raise the level of your work than check out The Rough Cut Show and join "The rough Cutters" Forum. So, over time I will share my progress as I work to master this essential woodworking skill.
One of the best bits of advice comes from Fine Woodworking Contributor Gary Rogowski, Studio Director of The Northwest Woodworking Studio in Portland, Oregon. In his video clip The Five-Minute Dovetail. He uses this as a “warm-up exercise” before beginning work. Excellent advice I took to heart. So, with that in mind I set aside some pre-dimensioned stock so I could quickly set-up and cut a joint each day. I did pretty well for a week. Then work and some other commitments put up a roadblock. I am just recovering from an injury (something to blog about later!) so I will be back at it soon!
DOVETAIL TOOLS - My weapons of choice
Lie-Nielson Dovetail Saw
Lie-Nielson Chisels
Adjustable Frame Fret Saw
Dovetail Marking Gauge
Starrett 6" Dividers
Sharp Knife - X-Acto
FAVORITE DOVETAIL RESOURCES FROM THE INTERNET
Rob Cosman - Your Hand Tool Coach
Alan Wood • Hand Cut Dovetails
Unknown Author • Hand Cut Dovetails
FAVORITE DOVETAIL RESOURCES FROM FINE WOODWORKING
All About Dovetail Joints by Mario Rodriguez
My Favorite Dovetail Tricks: Five ways to increase accuracy and reduce the time it takes to execute this hand-cut joint by Christian Becksvoort
Cutting Dovetails - Learn from Five Experts: Chris Gochnour, Andy Rae, Christian Becksvoort, Gary Rogowski, and Philip Lowe share their dovetail-cutting expertise in this roundup of videos and articles from the Fine Woodworking archives by Fine Woodworking editors
The Five-Minute Dovetail: Practice hand-cut dovetails without the pressure in this easy exercise to strengthen your hand-tool skills with Gary Rogowski