Incra Double Dovetail Question

[Raymond Fries]

Well I am finally ready to try my first double dovetail with some Ebony on a small box. The sides will be about 3" high. Does it matter which way the grain runs for the pieces that are used for the accent color? I was planning on using a piece with the grain running perpendicular to the side piece grain. This means the dovetails would be cut across the grain instead of in the end grain.

Has anyone done it this way?

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

[Mark Valsi]

my advice is to practice on some cheap stuff, get your technique down before you use ebony, which around here (so Cal) is very expensive !

Be careful you don't press down too hard when you put the pieces thru the router table, it may throw the joint off !!!

practice !

[Guy Germaine]

It really depends on how much contrast you want. Most of my DD boxes are made with walnut and maple. I cut the dovetails in the maple across the grain. That way, when I cut them for the inlays, they are a rip cut, and you get long grain showing. End grain will soak up more finish and wind up darker than you may like.