Hand cur Dovetails - it CAN be done

[dedee]

For anyone who thought it is impossible to hand cut dovetails and in plywood too.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/gallery/det ... age_id=140

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/gallery/det ... age_id=139

With help from the Veritas Saw guide, an APTC Ryoba, and a lot of inspiration & guidance from rec woodworking, Badger Pond, Woodcentral, ukworkshop & uk woodworking.

7 Drawers, 4 joints per drawer (I did the backs as well) that's 28 joints - I could tackle anything now. Next time I will have to think how to cut the grooves for the drawer base so that the runout holes are only visible on the side. I am stil undecided what to do about this. I'll either fill with some darker wood or glue a thin sheet of ply over the whole front, which will give half blind look as well.

Dimensions 39" wide, 16" deep 22" high.

It has taken about 2 years to get this far that equates to very little workshop time rather that technical difficulties. I only chopped out the pins instead of the waste once at which point I very clamly downed tools went inside and had a cool beer. I did not even swear.

I still have, drawer dividers to sort out, the carcass top & base to make and decide on a suitable finish.

The since of pride and achievement I felt when I finally got the drawer knobs fitted and could see for the first time a "complete" cabinet was immense. I am still on a high now. I did have some help fitting the knobs as you can see. She thinks she has a very clever daddy too.

So if you have never tried hand cuttings DT's give it a go.

AndyP

 

[Adam]

dedee,

You can't direct link to JPG images on Geocities!

Adam

 

[Adam]

And.....I think people are viewing it too much!

>The web site you are trying to access has exceeded its allocated data transfer

Adam

 

[dedee]

Ah well, my first attempt at web page building is a failure. I've just posted the pics to the gallery here how do I get the url?

Andy P

 

[Adam]

And you can't do that till Charley approves them - they have a moderated system here - so images can't be viewed unless a moderator OK's them.



I had a moan about this recently, but Charley said hed prefer to keep it as it is (see here)

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=898

I Personal Message Charley - that way he knows to approve them. I have to admit - he's pretty fast!

Adam

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Andy

You're dovetails look excellent. Thanks for the photographs.

Obviously, you couldn't have achieved it without Daddy'd little helper! :wink:

Well done and thanks for the inspiration.

Cheers
Neil

 

[dedee]

The pictures are now available in the gallery

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/gallery/det ... age_id=140

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/gallery/det ... age_id=139

AndyP (who can't work out why the geocities web site got beyond its allocated data transfer so quickly.

 

[Adam]

'Cos they want you to pay cash£££ to upgrade the bandwidth :twisted: - although to be fair, I've never seen that mesasge before.

Adam

 

[Alf]

Andy,

Cool. 8) All this time I've been trying to visualise it from your descriptions and now I get to see it. Excellent. I'm not surprised you're proud, you've every right to be. I think I might have given up long before to be honest Charming workshop helper, btw.

Cheers, Alf

 

[dedee]

Alf, thanks. There are another 2 helpers due in May so shop time will be short and far between. I only help I can finish this before they arrive.

AndyP

 

[Dewy]

Before getting a table saw I cut all my joints by hand. I didn't drill for a mortice then chisel the rest out. I used mortice chisels to remove all the waste. That was how we were taught at school.
The same with dovetails. Dovetail saw & chisels.
I didn't know there was any other way until seeing NYW. I never attempted lapped dovetails though. I marvel at those who made mitred dovetails.
What craftsmen they were before machinery made it all so easy.