Dovetail marking squares

[Steve Maskery]

I've spent a happy couple of afternoons in my workshop making some dovetail marking squares. I found a box of some scraps of exotics, including a piece of bubinga and some black stuff. I can't remember whether it is ebony or african blackwood, it will be one or the other, I think.

It's all very fine work with very sharp tools. I'm very disappointed that the 1:8 one has a hairline crack in the ebony, a shake. Now that they have a coat of polish on them it sticks out like a sore thumb . I thought I still had a tin of shellac sticks, but I can't find it. I do have some black fire cement, I wonder if that would help or just make matters worse?

Given that these woods are becoming less and less available, I think it is incumbent on us, more than ever, to use every last piece responsibly. I hope I have done these pieces justice.

Approx. size 115 x 65 x 16mm

Edit: I've fixed that shake. I ran superglue into it a few times, sanding off in between. It's now invisible, even to me, and I know what I'm looking for. Result!

 

[bugbear]

The profiling on the fence is gorgeous - very elegant design, nicely executed.

BugBear

 

[ro]

Wow, they are things of beauty!
You have definitely done the wood justice.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Thank you gentlemen.
I am quite pleased, especially now I've fixed the shake. All I need now is to re-learn how to cut a dovetail by hand. I had a go back in the summer when I made some drawers for my Gentleman's Residence. I'm afraid I gave up and used a friend's Woodrat... I have cut DTs before, and cleanly, too, but it was a very long time ago, over a decade, I'm sure. It's like starting again.

 

[Racers]

Very nice Steve, good save on the split.

Pete

 

[Orraloon]

Superglue to the rescue. I always keep a tube handy as It has got me out of trouble a few times. Great for small cracks as it just wicks itself right in. I began using it to fix flaws when turning but now also use it all across woodworking for those cracks that appear and when you knock a small corner off something.
Regards
John

 

[AndyT]

Excellent use of exotics. Proof that it is worth keeping those tiny bits.

Time to make a few dovetailed boxes as Xmas presents or for yourself, maybe.
If you need a refresher, I recommend Paul Sellers videos - he mentions details which others gloss over.