Dovetail Marker

[devonwoody]

Having some difficulty making accurate dovetails I decided one of my problems was marking up the dovetail, I don't know if this one has been done before but I made the following marker:

1. Cut a small piece of hardboard (masonite) 3mm thick with 8 degree cuts down both sides.

2. Attached two arms with glue and screws to the hardboard, across top.

3. To create a clean & tight edge I put some brass angle to the edge of the 8 degree sides with superglue. ( could have also used strip brass)

Voila:-

Longer arms could have been attached if larger work envisaged.

 

[Chris Knight]

Devon,

A dovetail marker which reaches over the end of the board so that you can also mark the straight line across the end at the same time you are marking the angle assists accuracy.

 

[devonwoody]

Any suggestions to accomodate Waterheads addition welcome.

 

[Anonymous]

DW

Nice one! Chris's suggestion is right on the ball and the type of thing I use.

I would just cut the Ash flush with the start of your dovetail slope and square the ends across the jig, that way you can mark tails and top of board in one go

Here is Rob Cosman's version

 

[devonwoody]

See your point re squaring across the top but without the arms I find that the marker rocks at the extreme end markings.
The first marker I made was without the arm extensions but I might use that for holding the saw to the line when cutting.

 

[bugbear]

Here is Rob Cosman's version

On a nice looking piece of (guessing) English Walnut?

BugBear

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Here is my favourite dovetail marker, the Woodjoy.

http://www.wdynamic.com/galoots/4images/details.php?image_id=1339

Available from http://www.woodjoytools.com/

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Anonymous]

Here is Rob Cosman's version

On a nice looking piece of (guessing) English Walnut?

BugBear

Nice try bugbear

According to Rob's website
"The gauge is made from a single piece of Eastern Rock Maple"

 

[devonwoody]

I awoke, and thought I could make another dovetail marker as my original piece but invert the angle sides and then I would not need the arm rests that would then accomodate the top cut lines.

Mind you I am coming to the conclusion that a dovetail tail is not critical because you mark out the pin as the final cut setup to fit the tail accurately

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Mind you I am coming to the conclusion that a dovetail tail is not critical because you mark out the pin as the final cut setup to fit the tail accurately

Correct Woody, the tail cuts are used as a template for the pins (or vice versa). A dovetail marker is really more helpful in laying it all out. What is critical is cutting straight. Without nice straight lines you will have gaps between tail and pin.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[devonwoody]

Mind you I am coming to the conclusion that a dovetail tail is not critical because you mark out the pin as the final cut setup to fit the tail accurately

Correct Woody, the tail cuts are used as a template for the pins (or vice versa). A dovetail marker is really more helpful in laying it all out. What is critical is cutting straight. Without nice straight lines you will have gaps between tail and pin.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Correct Derek, so I am finding out. Going to try and cut dovetail tails using my bandsaw today and using blocks as spacers. I will crack this dovetail problem somehow.
Naturally I can cut these joints but wanting perfection for a jewellery case under construction which entails around 60 tails and pins to match.

 

[Alf]

Here is Rob Cosman's version

On a nice looking piece of (guessing) English Walnut?

BugBear

Nice try bugbear

According to Rob's website
"The gauge is made from a single piece of Eastern Rock Maple"

Erm, on was probably the vital word you missed there, Tony...

Cheers, Alf

 

[Anonymous]

Here is Rob Cosman's version

On a nice looking piece of (guessing) English Walnut?

BugBear

Nice try bugbear

According to Rob's website
"The gauge is made from a single piece of Eastern Rock Maple"

Erm, on was probably the vital word you missed there, Tony...

Cheers, Alf

I was trying to be polite :lol:

 

[Alf]

Here is Rob Cosman's version

On a nice looking piece of (guessing) English Walnut?

BugBear

Nice try bugbear

According to Rob's website
"The gauge is made from a single piece of Eastern Rock Maple"

Erm, on was probably the vital word you missed there, Tony...

Cheers, Alf

I was trying to be polite :lol:

Eh? :-s

 

[devonwoody]

A dovetail jig for pins using bandsaw.

if anyone is interested.


http://woodworkstuff.net/bsdtj.html