My first ever dovetail, critique please.

[Grit_monkey]

Today, being at a loose end, I decided to make a dovetail joint, I don't know why other than I was interested seeing how difficult they are(As I found out, not very) and I was bored.

Things I have learned.
1. Don't use cheap ply(unless it's going to be painted), the top veneer breaks out too easily!
2. cut a little deeper so that the dovetails can be sanded flush.
3. time taken planning the dovetail layout and marking out is time well spent.(Take into account that today I just wanted to make a simple joint so didn't spend much time at all marking out).
4. If the dovetails are a fraction below the surface of the adjoining board then a small triangle file is great to take a little extra off to let the joint sit a little deeper.

Anyway, I would welcome any critique (taking in to account the above that I have already learned today).

 

[deema]

Look to be good tight joints, well done.

 

[ColeyS1]

If anything I'd say the tails are a little narrow, but crikey oh riley the joints fit nice and tight !! do one more like that, a little varnish and you'll have a couple of cool bookends

Coley


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[Grit_monkey]

If anything I'd say the tails are a little narrow, but crikey oh riley the joints fit nice and tight !! do one more like that, a little varnish and you'll have a couple of cool bookends

Thanks,
I think that the tails being a bit narrow would come under the planning stage I mentioned in the OP, but I wouldn't have thought of that, so thank you

 

[Grahamshed]

Hell, that looks pretty impressive to me.

 

[MMUK]

Are you sure you've never done this before? =D> =D> =D>

 

[Baldhead]

There is noway I'm showing my hand cut dovetails which are nowhere near as good as yours!

Baldhead

 

[Grit_monkey]

Thanks guys.

Really, honestly I have never ever made a dovetail joint before...Ever
I'm quite pleased myself, but know that they could be much better, and after seeing some of the fantastic projects other woodies have produced on here I thought where better to ask?

I suppose we are our own worst critics, but it does help, a lot, to have input from others.

Thanks again folks

 

[MMUK]

I applaud your conservation efforts in not "wasting" (for want of a better word) nice pieces of hardwood. Practise on ply or pine, it makes much more sense. Also, if you can perfect DTs on ply or pine, then it should be a piece of wee wee on hardwood