Dovetails

[Jim Koepke]

It's all practice. Make up a bunch of small boards and do a dovetail joint with just a few pins in it every day. You will be amazed at how much you improve in quality and time in only a week. If you do a full 30 days, you get really good.

I was happy after about 10 days

This was my routine for a while. If my memory is correct my practice used up about 8' of 1X4 lumber. The joints were cut off about 1/2" from the joint, dated, numbered and tossed in a box after looking for ways to correct errors. This was done with scrap wood. A two foot length works well for this. My dovetails improved greatly.

Try making your dovetails both pins first and tails first. One approach may work better for you.

jtk

[Michael J Evans]

Thanks again guys.
I went and got some poplar to practice on. Cutting is definitely smoother vs the fir. I've got two joints cut on my practice box so far and they're better, but I went much slower. I also focused on my paring, I took very shallow chisel strokes and would do Just a bit and then test fit, so on so forth. I think once I glue up the small gaps will hide themselves.

[Michael J Evans]

Well gents, no pictures yet, but I finished the box frame (there's another name for this right) I had a little gap here or there on each. but overall I think they came out okay. I'm still going to finish and put in the house. I believe that having to see it daily will be a good reminder to be patient and work with care. Once again I appreciate the all the advice.