Rocklers complete dovetail jig allows you to cut accurate and clean halfblind dovetails faster and easier than by hand. Still, if versatility in a router cut dovetail is something you. You can hand cut both your tails and pins and end up with a perfectly fit set. While not incredibly difficult, getting good results isnt exactly easy. I will set up a jig if i need to make a bunch of drawers, but for a drawer or. Its simple to use, though unlike jigs that cut pins and tails in one fell swoop, it takes two operations and two different cutters one for tails, another for pins. While i could have just purchased a guide and called it done, for me the satisfaction is in gaining a skill that i can continue to. The leigh jig is a sophisticated piece of equipment, a fact that youll find reflected in the price.
I own both the rockler and pc dovetail jigs, and i even produced the demo video on rocklers website for their jig. The following technique, which i learned from frank klausz, is a particularly efficient way to work. Ill keep cutting the more complicated stuff this thing cant do by hand, so i. Hand cutting dovetails for drawers with a handsaw rockler. Whatever you do, dont hold the jig with your left hand and cross your right hand over. The following is a basic guide to cutting dovetails with a keller jig. If you dont cut dovetails very often and need a quick refresher than this is the tutorial for you. In this article we will show you how to cut dovetails with just basic hand tools. They are a strong and attractive way to join boards together. Today, there are a variety of dovetail jigs available which, when combined with a router, make the job much faster and easier. This is a dovetail jig designed for woodworking, cabinet making, and furniture. Feb 02, 2016 dovetail joints can be cut by hand as they have been for thousands of years, but power tools such as a table saw or a router and jig make the job much faster and accessible for total beginners.
Dovetails, especially halfblind dovetails, are excellent joinery for case construction. Learn this simple process for making beautiful handcut dovetail joints. Hand cut dovetails the quick and dirty version youtube. The spine is molded from an advanced material that incorporates stainless steel powder for weight, glass fiber for stiffness, and a polymer resin binder. Rocklers complete dovetail jig with dovetail jig dust collector combo offer rockler woodworking tools rocklers complete dovetail jig allows you to cut accurate and clean halfblind dovetails faster. Admini dovetail marker magnetic hand cut wood joints gauge dovetail guide upgraded version. Ive made dovetail joints before using the routerdovetail jig method, but i recently acquired a fine japanese craft tenon saw, and i think that might be just the thing. It all begins with the guide finger assembly, the heart of the d4r pro dovetail jig. And now i can cut dovetails by hand with a minimum of fuss. How to hand cut dovetails using a simple saw guide jig. In many ways, 2017 has been the year of the dovetail. I like handcutting dovetails, and ive literally cut thousands of them.
In the same amount of time it takes to set up a big jig you can get some great hand cut dovetails. The benefits of variably spaced dovetails are not only their classic handcut look, but also the flexibility they provide. Now if you have a lot of drawers to do, a jig is an excellent way to get good quality results and repeatability. Dovetails can be tricky, but with a little practice you. I will set up a jig if i need to make a bunch of drawers, but for a drawer or two, i can have them hand cut inte time it takes to dig out the jig and set it up.
Illustrations by james provost in todays woodworking world, there are many machines and jigs that can cut dovetails very quickly. Hand cutting dovetails imparts a look thats impossible to duplicate with a router jig. It is then laser etched on the top and bottom for clean and easy to read labeling. While i could have just purchased a guide and called it done, for me the satisfaction is in gaining a skill that i can continue to use forever. How to handcut dovetail joints woodworking blog videos. And when we go back to the moon, lets go metric, ay. For a supersmooth cut, work your way in from the end of the tail, taking onethird of a full shavings width at a time. After the class had ended, i made this dovetail board jig thingy to make the marking step easier. If you dont cut dovetails very often and need a quick refresher than this is the tutorial for. Stonehouse woodworks dovetail log notches jig by hand. For these, youll need the straightfingered template and. Dovetail joints are considered the finest handcut joint in woodworking and are used to create both functional and elegant handjoined pieces such as drawers. The benefits of variably spaced dovetails are not only their classic hand cut look, but also the flexibility they provide.
When cutting dovetail joinery by hand, it can be difficult to keep a handsaw aligned at the proper angle while making tail cuts. I clamp the guide and the drilling jig i cut in a wood screw clamp and drill it out on. To cut my dovetails i used a router and jig both made by porter cable. A craftsman has no limitations when cutting dovetails by hand. This is the same material used to make pool balls so you know how strong the jig is. Line up the magnetic jig with the lines sloping from top right to bottom left and cut down to the scribe line this is a natural stance for a right hander. Drawers in furniture, such as a bureau, are often all different heights. When cutting your first handcutdovetails it can be a scary thing. You can cut dovetails with a router and dovetail jig, which is a perfectly acceptable option. Oct 04, 2018 you can cut dovetails with a router and dovetail jig, which is a perfectly acceptable option. Most workers cut the dovetail pins on the drawer fronts and the drawer backs first, after which they mark the drawer sides with the marking awl.
Most case construction is wider than most dovetail jigs so its difficult to use a dovetail jig in case construction. The simplest way to hand cut dovetails wood by wright. Of course, therein lies the rubit takes some patience and skill to craft through dovetail joints by hand. How to cut dovetail joints guide to joinery in woodworking. T his page, and the one on halfblind dovetails, are intended for the students in my hand cut dovetails class. If youre a righty and have trouble cutting on the other side of the jig, or vise versa, just flip the board and the jig in the vise and keep on cutting the way youre most comfortable. Cutting dovetails the oldfashioned way is more than a link to the past. Compairing a dovetail jig to hand cut duvetails youtube. A dovetail jig allows you to make precise joining points when you dont feel like using intrusive hardware in joining two pieces of woods. Pare the last shaving with the chisel against the jig. Moving the router along the dovetail jig lines, you can quickly make a dovetail joint. Start by preparing your stock, cutting it to final size and making sure the ends are square. Below, you can read about some of the benefits of making and using a jig to cut notches for your log cabin. The jig lets you cut the pins and tails for both through and halfblind dovetails.
Guides you through all the dovetail steps with ease and accuracy, while cutting the learning curve substantially. The dovetailing of the drawer back is shown at fig. That is if you dont include the time learning how to use the jig. Today, there are a variety of dovetail jigs available which, when. Set up and use a dovetail jig in 2020 dovetail jig, cool. Handsaw jig for accurate dovetails finewoodworking. Rockler complete dovetail jig click photo for even more information. As hand tool woodworking skills go this one is very easy once you master a few basic skills. The layout of dovetails involves cutting the tails the pink wood on the left and pins the beige wood on the right, both cut to match the other. Print templates, fold over end of wood and either mark or cut through the paper to form tails and pins.
Nov 20, 2017 how to cut dovetails with a keller jig 1. I like handcutting dovetails, and ive literally cut thousands of. This is the simplest and easiest way i know to hand cut a dovetail joint. Thus, a dovetail jig is certainly very helpful for. Its also faster than setting up a jig if you have only one or two drawers to make. With practice and patience, you can master the satisfying skill of hand cutting dovetails. Jul 27, 2017 fast paced stepbystep howto on cutting dovetails.
As hand tool woodworking skills go this one is very easy once you. But if you want to make narrower pins than your dovetail jig will allow or the freedom to space the dovetail pattern as you like, then the best option is to cut your dovetail joints by hand instead. Precision cuts and joinery is the mark of a skilled carpenter. Hand cut dovetails have long been a hallmark of craftsmanship. Today there are numerous dovetail jigs on the market but the truth is that cutting dovetails by hand isnt that hard. To get around this problem and ensure straight, accurate tail cuts, fine. Cleanly cut through dovetails have even, consistent angles and no gaps between the pins and tails when they are assembled. Hand cut dovetails cutting dovetails the oldfashioned way is more than a link to the past. Set the router squarely on the template and turn it on. Dec 09, 2019 this highquality unit is specially designed for cutting the conventional dovetail jigs. Suizan japanese dozuki dovetail hand saw 7 inch, japanese dovetail hand saw for crosscut, ripcut, slant cutting.
In the january issue of stumpy nubs woodworking journal, i showed you a cool router table sled for creating flawless dovetails that look handcut. Here, youll use the first of three simple jigs fig. The resulting joint is so attractive, with wide tails reminiscent of handcut joints, that i think its worth the extra time. Ive used 45 different dovetail router jigs and unless youre a production shop and need to mass cut joinery ive found all of them to be more annoying than useful to work with. Historically, these joints were cut by hand with just a saw and a chisel, and so it was a way for fine woodworkers to display their skill.
The katzmoses magnetic dovetail jig is made in a mold from a virtually indestructible clear polyurethane for years of use. There are commercially available jigs as well as plans that you can buy showing how to build a jig to cut dovetail notches and we often get asked why dont you just use a jig. Dovetails can be complex, but they do not need to be. While you should check the documentation that accompanies your jig for the.
Leigh d4r pro adjustable dovetail jig features and benefits. They are probably the top mark of craftsmanship in woodworking, so that why so many expect to see them in places where they were traditionally used. Precise handcut dovetails popular woodworking magazine. Dovetail jigs are among these accessories and are made as metal templates. You can cut dovetails with a router and dovetail jig, which is a perfectly. All you need are sharp tools and good instructions and youll be making perfect dovetails in just one afternoon. Dovetail joints can be cut by hand as they have been for thousands of years, but power tools such as a table saw or a router and jig make the job much faster and accessible for total beginners. Fortunately, modern technology has made the task much easier than the traditional hand cutting method. Jan 12, 2017 at stonehouse woodworks we layout and cut each one of our dovetail log notches individually by hand. Finally, always wait to cut the drawer bottom grooves until after cutting and fitting the dovetails, to make sure you dont nip a corner of the bottom halfpins on the drawer face. As with any drawer making technique, its critical to keep your parts in order. Making hand cut dovetail joints isnt as challenging as you may fear, thanks to an ingenious aluminum sawing jig. Nov 24, 2017 and now i can cut dovetails by hand with a minimum of fuss.
One minor disclaimer this is the only dovetail jig ive ever used or ever intend to use. Woodraphic all new dovetail hand magnetic saw guide jig marker marking gauge cut wood joints. Mark out the dovetails on both sides to your desired spacing after some practice you will realize that only the square marks across the end grain are necessary. Admini dovetail marker magnetic hand cut wood joints gauge. My porter cable jig i have does through dovetails, half blind dovetails, rabbeted halfblind, sliding dovetails, box joints and miniature versions of all these joints. The david barron magnetic dovetail saw guide will improve your hand cut dovetails by helping you create deadon square saw cuts. Set the tail board or drawer side onto it and use a hand plane on edge to support the other end.
Such wellmade joints add a oneofakind handcrafted appearance to your work. Use this dovetail template designer to get a visual idea of possible combinations of tail and pin layouts. The cut across the grain is perfectly 90 degrees and the angle is the same all the time which is key to great dovetails. Jul 02, 2010 in the time it takes you to properly set up a dovetail jig, run test boards, and get the final boards cut, you could probably have them done by hand in the same time. The newer jig version is tailored to offer precise and neat cuts for your upcoming project. First, nearly all dovetail jigs can cut box joints. There are numerous jigs for cutting dovetails with a router.
Jan 05, 2018 my porter cable jig i have does through dovetails, half blind dovetails, rabbeted halfblind, sliding dovetails, box joints and miniature versions of all these joints. You can cut them any size, with any number of tails, and in whatever pattern you desire. If you dont want to cut the fingers by hand, there are two ways to machine them. This will have the look you want, plus it will add strength to. Dovetail joints often have an aura of mystery about them. How to cut dovetails with a keller jig popular woodworking. Someday i will cut a dovetail joint by hand, but ive got a lot of drawers to fix and i appreciate the efficiency of using power tools for this task. Complete your chiseling, chopping inward as you go on both faces of the piece to remove the rest of the waste. Draw a pencil line across the tail board to indicate the dovetails lengths. Rocklers complete dovetail jig with dovetail jig dust collector combo offer rockler woodworking tools rocklers complete dovetail jig allows you to cut accurate and clean halfblind dovetails faster and easier than by hand.