What’s everyone’s preferred angle for hand cutting dovetails ?

[jeff vanek]

I know what they say about hardwood angles vs softwood angles, not concerned with that, just want to know what YOU typically use

[Joshua Lucas]

I use the angle of the Golden Triangle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_triangle_(mathematics)) - 18°. It's relatively extreme but it looks good to me.

[David Bassett]

I don't think you'll find any agreement, it seems to be more of an appearance preference really.

I, right now, like how the LV 14-degree marker dovetails look. If I space them so both the pins and tails have some heft it looks to me like I have a sturdy joint and leaves me satisfied.

Someday I may evolve to where I'm confident, as we're told, the joint is overly strong. Then I may want to emphasize they were hand cut and switch to those sliver thin pins that seem fashionable these days. That'll be OK too (I'm sure.) Don't over think it and use what looks good to you.

ETA: I fortunate to take a handtool class with Chris Gochnour which specified 1:6 dovetail markers in the tool list. I'm sure my 14-degree would have been fine, but I bought and used a 1:6 just in case. Those dovetails looked fine to me too.

[Derek Cohen]

Jeff, I shall repeat here what I wrote on WoodNet ...

It is not so much the ratio (I prefer 6:1 and 7:1). It is also the width of the tip of the tail (I am not sure what to call this). And the spacing of the tails.

In my opinion, dovetails are a part of the whole design, and they need to fit in. If you are aiming at higher end work, they are not something that one does as an after thought. In my experience, those that do not take the time to plan their dovetailing are producing more pedestrian work.

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Regards from Perth

Derek

[Jim Koepke]

I know what they say about hardwood angles vs softwood angles, not concerned with that, just want to know what YOU typically use

Oops got the question wrong, rewrite.

Many years ago a hardwood supplier in Emeryville/Berkeley had a pair of dovetail guides by Joseph Marples:

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They are the two in the lower right corner. One is a 1:6 the other is a 1:8. My tendency is to use what is at hand.

Of course different angles come into play when something else is being done:

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More on that here > https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?135061

jtk

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[jeff vanek]

Thanks guys

[Mel Fulks]

If you are copying fine period furniture use the narrow type . After 1840 ,or so they got fatter. If you are making your own modern designs,
then it’s just your choice.

[steven c newman]

My "preferred" angle....hmmm....usually what looks "right" to me....other than a 14 degree router bit...about anything else will depend on my MK 1 eyeball. And what the bevel square comes up with...which I can adjust to suit my eye. Not really "Rocket Science" now, is it......some make them for the task needed done...others simply to show off and then proclaim theirs is the "only" way.

Just set up a bevel gauge to an angle, draw a few lines with it..adjust the angle until it suits YOUR eye.

[Tom Bussey]

I like dovetails to look like dovetails so 8:1 looks little to straight for me. Never thought of using 7:1. I prefer 6:1 which is a 9.462 angle or rounded off to 9 1/2 degree angle. And 9 1/2 is close to 10 degrees so I use 10 degrees. It is easy to make your own gages and fixtures.

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