Plumb, square, level dovetails

[James Pallas]

This is one way to easily check dovetails with tools in hand. When putting the flat back of a chisel against a surface the error is multiplied and easy to see. For instance a 1/2” dovetail with a 1/64” error would be multiplied by about 10 on a 5” chisel. Easy to see.
Jim

[Luke Dupont]

Great tip! I love it.

This is precisely what makes a chisel much more of a precision tool than people think.

I always check / feel for square with my chisel as I'm working, but I never thought to use it in this manner to "check square" when I'm not actively paring or chopping. Makes perfect sense!

[Matt Hunstiger]

Good tip. Thanks very much!