How to Hand Cut Dovetailes Faster Woodworking Skills Tips and Tricks

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How to Hand Cut Dovetailes Faster Woodworking Skills Tips and Tricks

Рет қаралды 43,760

Күн бұрын

Cutting Dovetails by hand can be slow if you have a lot to do, but there are many things you can do to cut them Faster. Gang Cutting and chipping the tiles and pins is simple but can save a ton of time. I recently show the simplest way to cut dovetails and this is what I think is the fastest.
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Пікірлер: 110

@bradknecht799 7 жыл бұрын

You make it seem like hand cutting the joints for all of those drawers is possible.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+Brad Knecht lol something like that

@bradknecht799 7 жыл бұрын

did you figure out your efficiency? if one set takes 45min, how long did 5 in a batch?

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

I was actually just calculating that today. One drawer took me 3:10. the other 9 to me just over 21 hours total so about 2:20 per drawer. I would call that a significant time savings.

@daviddorothy4969 7 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright did this increase your re-work? That is the amount of time needed to fine tune to get each piece to fit?

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

no that ended up being about the same. The factor that changes that is how well the marks are transfers from the tales to the pins, and that is still done one at a time.

@ahikernamedgq 7 жыл бұрын

People used to pay A LOT of money for instructional videos like this. Thanks so much for putting this out in the world, James!

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jesse!

@wortheffort 7 жыл бұрын

if you tap finish nails into your story stick and file off so you end up with a tiny point you can use that as a quick marking guage when doing the same layout over and over. That's an ole spindle turning trick that works well with mass production hand tool projects.

@wortheffort 7 жыл бұрын

Oh, and good video

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+wortheffort that is a great idea. Thanks.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+wortheffort thanks.

@walterrider9600 6 жыл бұрын

great idea thank you

@TristanDare 7 жыл бұрын

What an interesting way of doing them! i will definitly try it out in the future. :)

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+BurlyWoodWorks thanks. It is fun!

@opasworkshop8373 7 жыл бұрын

way to go James I figured if anybody could figure out a way to speed it up you could great job.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+Opa's Workshop lol thanks Opa

@HenrikKors 5 жыл бұрын

When I did my apprenticeship as cabinetmaker the senior apprentice would make all the dovetailed drawers (batches of 12-15 drawers at a time) as training for the apprenticeship test. Speed was essential -- the approach demonstrated here was how we did it :)

@WoodByWright 5 жыл бұрын

The old ways are often the best. It is amazing how fast you can be with good methouds.

@YouCanMakeThisToo 7 жыл бұрын

This is slick. I love your techniques and dedication.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

thank you and thank you! I do love spending time with good bird buts!

@JimDockrellWatertone 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video James. I bet the wife is excited for the dresser.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+Jim Dockrell (The Watertone Workshop) lol yup. We both want it done.

@HeathKnuckles_Tasty_Timber 7 жыл бұрын

You've been working your butt off James! Nice work! 🤘👍

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

thanks! I have been having a lot of fun in the shop!

@robertevans6481 7 жыл бұрын

Okay you make it look so easy anyone can do it....well one day this anyone is going to do a set of dovetails...With Your help, Donald, and Matt...i should have not problems...lol...and congrats on 18k sub's

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

thanks and thanks. looking forward to seeing what you do!

@AndreaArzensek 7 жыл бұрын

Lot's of work but if you have patience you can make them! Thanks for the tip!

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

right on!

@brucematthews6417 7 жыл бұрын

When you're making that many of anything saving time puts back in some of the fun! ! ! I too saw a lot of the Frank Klaus method in your process. But enough of "you" to make it fit your methods and ways. And that's a big part of what it's all about too. Besides watching Frank do this same job I'm not sure he isn't some sort of robot or space alien.... :D I suspect that more of us will find your method and pacing to be far more approachable. Your videos are great to watch and well paced. All the meat without the filler that makes so many want to fast forward. Don't change a thing!

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

thank you that means a lot. I know exactly what you are saying. there is no one way to do anything. You got to find the rythme that fits who you are.

@joep2837 7 жыл бұрын

excellent tips. seeing them all stacked like that makes me think that i could drill out a large chunk of the waste. of course i would use a smaller than required drill as i can't drill 90 deg to the work through that many pieces. of course i might sneak over to my drill press. shhh. i do have power tools :)

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+Joseph Piotrowski sounds like a fun idea. I might have to give it a try.

@emeraldvalleywoodworking 7 жыл бұрын

Great video. I'll try it.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

Sweet! don't have too much fun!

@silenthill5794 7 жыл бұрын

I"ve always liked that method of laying the boards on top of each other, I think Doucette and Wolf Furniture Makers was the first place I saw it. Nice tip.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

I too enjoy it. I think I have seen him do that. love that channel!

@WildmanTech 7 жыл бұрын

Great works James. I need to try dovetails again.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

thanks. I do love my time with bird backends!

@rwe2156 7 жыл бұрын

You can also make a pattern board of 2x material with the saw kerfs as a guide. Clamp with drawers leave about 1/4" high. This keeps cut square and eliminates marking.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

very true. a lot of people like those. I am personally not a fan of guides and jigs, but that is just me.

@rwe2156 7 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright Same here. I saw Paul Sellers use the guide. Yup for mass production I gang em just like you do, even though I actually prefer pins first.

@BDM_PT 7 жыл бұрын

Hi there from Portugal, Great method :D Obrigado(Thanks)

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+Blog das Madeiras thanks.

@LukePighetti 4 жыл бұрын

You can also split the tail-board waste from the endgrain instead of pairing. I'm not saying it's a better way to do it, but you can cruise through it.

@donnymcarter 7 жыл бұрын

Another great video with plenty info!

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

thanks Donny

@walterrider9600 6 жыл бұрын

thank you great idea

@willemkossen 7 жыл бұрын

Good instruction

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+Willem Kossen thanks Willem.

@rick91443 7 жыл бұрын

Good video...Now I'm wondering if you're going to continue with white oak for drawer bottoms. Wife not getting too impatient I hope, lol...cheers...rr

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

Oh ya. All solid white oak book matched drawer bottoms.

@123thischarmingman 7 жыл бұрын

really like your videos. im considering making some cabenets for a friend and would really like to hand cut all the drawr dovetails,.i think this process makes it a little less daunting (also that its a kitchen for a tiney house so not many drawrs) trying to not let it bother me that you say "acrost" instead of "across" ;)

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+123thischarmingman lol sounds like a fun project.

@MintStiles 5 жыл бұрын

Just a suggestion, even if you are going for the hand cut, which I like as well, I would hog out most the waste with a circular saw. I find that the tedious work should be left to machines. You can also get a cleaner end grain when the chisel doesn’t have to push out so much material. Everything that matters is still hand cut. chiseling out 75 x 3 boards x 2 sides is a bit masochistic.

@WoodByWright 5 жыл бұрын

Yep. If I had power tools I would actually use a bandsaw for most of the stock removal. But this is a hantal only channel.

@MintStiles 5 жыл бұрын

Ahhh I see. Actually a band saw definitely makes sense doing a small stack at a time.

@sgsax 7 жыл бұрын

Nice tip. All those dovetails... all that white oak... I bet it'll be beautiful when you're done, if it hasn't pushed you over the edge first. :)

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

LOL yup. it will be heavy too! LOL

@cobberpete1 7 жыл бұрын

James the biological Robot :D :D I made a blanket box with 72 Dove Tails and did not want to go near a DT for a few months after. You said it will be heavy, I hope you have a little help to move it once its done.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

LOL thanks. speaking of help do you want to come over to help me take it up the stairs?

@cobberpete1 7 жыл бұрын

LOL, just give me a couple of weeks notice so I can book the flights. Distance is not a problem for Ozzie's. I travel 1000 miles every Monday just to get to work. BTW is there a dog leg in the stairs? Might have to take the roof off and drop it in by crane ;0 I once built a wardrobe and had to take it outside and lift it in through a second story window (with a little help from the fire brigade).

@jeffloitz1682 7 жыл бұрын

Looks like you are using the old hawacking mallet! :-) Great tips for increasing efficiency with hand tools. I remember you saying in a previous video where you purchased your holdfast from. Can you refresh my memory?

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I love hawacking things. LOL my Hold fasts are from Black Bear Forge. www.blackbearforge.com/holdfast.htm tell him James Sent you.

@bearkatwood6354 7 жыл бұрын

Oh for crying out loud, I didn't make you a timber framing saw ;) "One at a time please" says the poor thing. Great video James.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

LOL she handles it nicely. though it was on the edge of grabbing the tenon saw. I just like your grip so much.

@bearkatwood6354 7 жыл бұрын

glad to hear you like it, yeah I probably would have gone with a small tenon too. I will repeat... I can't wait to see this dresser when it's done ;) You too I bet. Keep it up sir.

@TJSWOODWORKINGSHOP 7 жыл бұрын

Awesome job my brother very nice project to, Your wife is going to love it,I like that Mallet to bro lol :)

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks TJ I am really pushing to get this one done soon.

@TJSWOODWORKINGSHOP 7 жыл бұрын

Hey my brother when the video you told me is coming out :)

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

+TJ'S WOODWORKING SHOP I am guessing it will be the 11th or the 16th.

@TJSWOODWORKINGSHOP 7 жыл бұрын

No tips for me what it is my brother lol :)

@theVonThompsons 7 жыл бұрын

Dude, I just found out you have a podcast!

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

yup. we are going to be live in about 20 minutes.

@gazgough9264 7 жыл бұрын

How do you sharpen your V chisels? Could you do a video on that, or point me in the right direction? Another great video by the way!

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

I am planning on that sometime in the future, but for quick reference, as long as I stay on top of it and do not let them get really dull I just use a strop every few minutes and I almost never have to take them back to the stones.

@gazgough9264 7 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright thanks for the reply, after watching you carve I really wanted to try it myself, so I picked up a old one, just need to make it sharper than the butter knife it is at the moment!

@StavrosGakos 7 жыл бұрын

Lot of great job! I like the way you cut tails on four boards in the one time:) Always pleasure to watch your videos. Btw Could you give some shoutout to Elk Point Tool Co channel? He's making great restorations of hand tools. Regards!

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

thanks! I will look him up and see what he has. love finding new channels.

@kirbytate9961 7 жыл бұрын

I find cutting thicker wood to be a lot more difficult than cutting thin wood. Bc you are basically making thin wood thick, is it worth the difficulty in time saving?

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

the cutting is about a wash. the time savings is in the setup. rather than setting up one board ar a time you are setting and marking 4 or more at a time. but if you go much thicker than 3 or 4 boards I will switch to a tenon saw.

@kirbytate9961 7 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright I usually just eyeball the pins and trace them for the tails (right now I can more easily free hand pins versus tails). So I generally don't mark. I'm not critizing. Just curious if it would save ME time with MY skills and MY cheap handtools.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

everyone is different.if you do pins first this won't save you any time. that is the big reason I do tails first.

@kirbytate9961 7 жыл бұрын

I'll give this a try. and find out for myself. thanks for the video. love your channel!

@fbiker79 7 жыл бұрын

First!! Thanks for the video James.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

LOL yes you are. thanks Felix

@Mystipaoniz 6 жыл бұрын

Nice! But when you cut at an angle with your saw...how can you repeat the same angle on all dovetails?

@WoodByWright 6 жыл бұрын

by eye you can get it close enough that other eyes do not see the difference. They do not have to match to a machinists tool. once you do it a few times your arm can repeat an angle that your eye can not see the difference.

@Mystipaoniz 6 жыл бұрын

Oh okay thanks for the fast reply! Makes sense. I use to think i need to have a totally perfect precision in order to cut these things. I'm still learning working with wood. Never did much but i'm a knowledge sponge in the meantime. (need money to buy materials, tools...)

@WoodByWright 6 жыл бұрын

yup, that is the difference between a machinist and a woodworker. a machinist tells if his work is good by checking the finished project with tools. the woodworker does it by eye. if the eye and hand cannot tell the difference it does not matter because wood will move.

@Mystipaoniz 6 жыл бұрын

i'll keep that in mind. I'm too much of a perfectionnist. I need to know when i need to be or not.

@reforzar 7 жыл бұрын

You could save time with that Leigh jig 😉

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

lol but it is a pain to use with a hand saw.

@reforzar 7 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright maybe you're using the wrong setting 😂

@mikegager 7 жыл бұрын

you should look into frank klausz method for dovetails. way easier and faster imho.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

Ya I love his way. I Sometimes do that if I am just doing one drawer, but not as much for a pile of them. But that is me.

@mikegager 7 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright i was mostly commenting because you said it takes 45 minutes per joint, that just seemed like a lot but i know if you want to get everything perfect it can take time. i do think your batch cutting method is a good idea when you have a lot to do! sorry didnt mean for my comment to sound overly critical.

@WoodByWright 7 жыл бұрын

it is 45 minutes for these all solid oak and much larger than a test board. if I do test boards 2-3" wide and so them out of some kind of pine I can do then in 10 minutes or less.

@mikegager 7 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright ahh yeah that makes sense! 👍