Suggestions... dovetailing

[Rick Gifford]

I would like to start making items using dovetails. Just a beginner here overall...

I have seen several jigs on the market. My budget is $200.

I would greatly appreciate recommendations. I like to buy the best quality possible the first time within a price range. You buy cheap many times over but quality once...

There are some pricey ones out there. Certainly something available around 200? I value first hand experience greatly when considering a purchase.

Thanks for any input.

Rick G.

[frank shic]

the omnijig shows up for around $200 on craigslist and ebay every once in a while.

[Charles Wiggins]

Here's some jigs in your budget

Rockler just introduced their new version (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=17367) a couple of months ago, plus they allow customers to post reviews. I have the previous version, but have not used it as yet.

Woodcraft has the Porter-Cable (http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5279)

CMT (http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=8297)

The Leigh 12" Super will give you some adjustability (http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=20325) or (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=58327&cat=1,43000)

[Mike Henderson]

If you're not going to do dovetails for production work, try cutting them by hand - it's not that hard and you can do more customization that way.

If you really want to go with a jig, get one that you can adjust the spacing - don't get a fixed spacing jig because then you have to size your drawers to the jig.

Mike

PS - dovetail jigs are one of the most unused tools in most people's workshop - along with the biscuit joiner.

[Jim Becker]

For machine cut half-blind dovetails for drawers and the like, the PC would be my choice for a jig within your budget. And most folks can learn to cut through dovetails by hand with a little practice and a purchase of a reasonably priced hand-saw.

[frank shic]

check out frank klausz's video dovetail a drawer if you decide to go the hand tool route. you'll need a bench, a bench vise to clamp the boards while you saw the pins and tails, a hold down while you chop out the waste as well as a saw, chisel and mallet. all of this can easily run you up to $200 fairly quickly.

[Bob Oehler]

I found that after I got decently good with dove tails it is quicker to do them by hand then set up my jig. So I sold my gig. I never do production work and even if I make a piece with many draws it feels real good to know they were all hand cut. This also gets more practice time in on cutting dovetails.

If you do go the gig route do get one that has variable widths as stated above

Good luck in your dovetailin'

Bob Oehler

[jonathan snyder]

Rick,

For 200 bucks or so you can get a nice dovetail saw and a good set of chisels. It is so much more satisfying to cut them by hand, you can listen to the radio and don't have to eat dust and chips from the router! Come on down to the Neanderthal Haven forum and see why folks like to use hand tools!

JOnathan

[Rick Gifford]

I appreciate the replies. Being able to do any dovetailing by hand would certainly feel good. Havent done any with a jig or by hand so maybe I should give it a go, and if I suck then I can still buy the jig.

I'll look into some tutorials and see what I can find.

I'll keep the recommendations for jigs on hand. I have a local Woodcraft so maybe I can get a chance to stop in and look over what they have as well.

[Mike Null]

Somebody said the dovetail jig is the least used tool in the shop. I'd second that. Several years ago I bought the Leigh 24 and made a fine looking blanket chest for my niece.

It was the last thing I ever made with the jig and I sold it a couple of years ago. While it did a great job the set up time was far more than I expected and were I to do it again I would cut them by hand even though I am inexperienced at it.

I also agree that it would be faster by hand.

[ROY DICK]

Rick,

I did a google search and they have some good info on this .
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=HOW+TO+CUT+DOVETAILS+BY+HANDhttp://.

Hope that helps. Keep us posted.

Roy

[Skip Williams]

HF has a jig on sale for $30 many times. From what I have heard, that will produce acceptable dovetails after some fiddling.

I second the 'cut by hand' method. I have a Craftsman pro jig and used it to make 30 or so drawers for my kitchen and bathrooms but really want to try doing it by hand (since all those are already cut<g>)

Skip

www.ShopFileR.com (http://www.ShopFileR.com)

[Rick Gifford]

Roy thanks for the link. I plan to look the information over. Once again I appreciate the responses. I am going to try the 'by hand' method and see how it goes. What do I have to lose? I might find something I enjoy and maybe get lucky and do it well...

[frank shic]

hey rick, since you're going the hand route: learn to SHARPEN your tools! BTW cutting dovetails by hand is seriously fun if you're not in a rush. ;)

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I would like to start making items using dovetails. Just a beginner here overall...

I have seen several jigs on the market. My budget is $200.



$200 will let you purchase some absolutely necessary tools AND learn how to cut DTs by hand.

Check these out:
http://home.austin.rr.com/sawduster/Dovetails%20My%20Way/Dovetails%20My%20Way.htm

http://www2.gol.com/users/nhavens/htmlfile/dt1-e.html

http://home.nj.rr.com/afoust/dovetails.html

[frank shic]

cliff just reminded me of yet another helpful tool: a marking gauge. i use the rolling version that lee valley sells. you can skip those dovetail gauge jigs if you just watch the klausz video and in his own words, "go for it!"