Originally Posted by
Randy Heinemann
Plus, if you really want to do the hand cut dovetail thing right, you will need to invest in some high quality hand tools no matter what anyone says. They aren't cheap either.
I would disagree with your comment about needing expensive tools to make hand cut dovetails. For years, I used a small dozuki saw (I think I paid about $35 for it) and my standard bench chisels. I don't remember what I paid for my chisels, but somewhere about $100 for the ones I used. Of course, those were not dedicated dovetail tools. I also used a wheel marking gauge and a dovetail saddle marker from LV and a marking knife. I cut a lot of dovetails with that kit.
Hand cut dovetails are not expensive to cut, but you do need to learn how to cut them properly. Getting instruction from someone experienced will go a long way, if you don't feel your skill is up to what it should be.
Since those early days, I've bought, and used, other tools, such as the Lie Nielsen dovetail saw and the Knew Concepts fret saw. Also, the TiteMark wheel marking gauge. But those tools are definitely optional and not required to be able to make high quality dovetails.
Mike
P.S. "It is a poor workman who blames his tools."
Last edited by Mike Henderson; 12-14-2018 at 6:09 PM.
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