Want to learn to hand cut dovetails

[Daniel Rode]

Up till now, I've used power tools for all my joinery. I've created dovetails using my router and dovetail jig. I'd like to learn how to layout and cut dovetails by hand. I especially like being able to adjust the number and spacing. My jig can't do this and more flexible jigs are expensive, take time to setup and still prone to router tear out and chipping issues.



What are the basic tools I would need to layout and cut dovetails?
Any suggestions for a tutorial, video, books, etc on dovetailing?

[Prashun Patel]

I'm on the handcut joinery journey too.

Marking gauge
Dovetail saw
Paring chisel(s)
Coping saw, bandsaw, or router (to remove waste)

Most people also recommend a marking knife for marking the pins, but there are others that prefer a utility knife or even a sharp pencil.

For me, the biggest value set was:
Veritas fine dovetail saw, Narex bench chisels, utility knife, Rockler wheel marking gauge (I use my bandsaw for the dirty work of removing waste).

Youtube is a good place to start.

I'd also post your attempts on here, and the more skilled will be really generous with their advice.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?204281-Manual-dovetail-journey&highlight=


I also learned a lot from Derek Cohen's blog
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/MakingBetter%20Dovetails.htm


l (http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/MakingBetter%20Dovetails.html)

[Mike Henderson]

Rob Cosman has a very good DVD on dovetails. I think it's two DVDs, actually. The first covers regular through dovetails and the second covers half blind and some other techniques.

I have some tutorials on my web site (just pictures and text), covering both through (http://www.mikes-woodwork.com/ThroughDovetails.htm)and half blind (http://www.mikes-woodwork.com/Half-BlindDovetails.htm). The tools I use are mentioned in the tutorials.

Mike

[Robert LaPlaca]

I personally like cutting wheel style marking gauges for marking the baseline (the Veritas and Titemarks are great), for a marking knife i use a plain old exacto #11, the dovetail saw can be any saw that is filed for rip cutting be sure that the saw has pistol style handle not a round handle, the pistol style is easier to orient in ones hand .. One tip is use what ever chisels are comfortable to you, they must be sharp, keeping the chisels sharp is important.. I used a coping saw to remove the waste between the pins, nothing fancy any coping saw will do.. I cut the pins first, then cut the tails, there is no right way to cut dovetails, some folks cut the tails first then cut the pins, do whatever works best for you..

Lonnie Bird has a pretty good DVD available on hand cutting dovetails.. I think it is $20.

[Harold Burrell]

Here is the best FREE video I have found to date:

http://www.woodworkingonline.com/2008/08/04/podcast-36-hand-cut-dovetails-with-robby-pedersen/

You can even download it.