I don't know the first thing about woodworking, and nor was I looking for this. But what a treat! It's a marvellous thing, how RUclips can lead you to jems like this video. Great job, and beautifully presented!
Hi, Yes the guides are being made from aluminium now, I couldn't keep up with demand! They do just the same job. I'm glad you are getting on well with your dovetails, much better than a router. All the best, David.
David - starting out learning to make dovetail joints by hand using hand tools (at 65 years young) and I must say your instructional videos are both informative and inspirational. Keep up the good work.
I've recently completed a furniture making course and find that these techniques, especially your method of paring waste from pins, augments what I've learned perfectly. Many thanks to you David for your brilliant, succint and clear videos.
Very enjoyable to watch you perform surgery. I've bought your dovetail guide and am saving for the beautiful brass hammer you use. If I was where your workshop was, I'd work for free just to learn how to do woodworking right. You make it look so easy and it's not for most of us because we have nobody to teach us the techniques properly. Anyhow, more video's please
Your explanations are so thorough that there is no need for guesswork! I like how you present the tools and also give recommendations for modifications. Also your videos are beautifully edited and engaging. Thanks so much, and I have subscribed!
Outstanding videos, David. Having recently bought one of your dovetails guides, I would highly recommend them to someone starting out with hand tools. I was ready to give it up, due to my lousy sawing skills - but the guide immediately let me produce competent cuts!
hello I am a 21 yr old cabinet makers apprentice and I have been told that for dovetails in soft wood a grind of 15 degrees and a secondary bevel of about 17 works well with soft woods and stops break out
Regarding the technique you show for paring a pin to size - I have been utilizing your own aluminum dovetail guide and more than once when I have encountered a pin that needs any significant amount of paring, I simply put the pin board back in the vise and used the saw guide to saw off an amazingly small amount of pin material accurately. The magnet pulls the saw enough to resist falling off the tiny ledge as you saw. Of course, with practice at using the guide, the need to do this is becoming less frequent. All the best,
Hi Luke, The 8" saw I'm using weighs almost the same as the smaller saws and they are both very light. I use my forefinger to balance the saw and this keeps it horizontal with very little effort. If you get the chance to use one you'll see what I mean. All the best, David.
@Bradley: Cheating? Oh please. I trust that, for the sake of some mythical "purity," you layout your dovetails by hand without the use of a straightedge; for to do otherwise would be "cheating."
Hi David Are you using your traditional dovetailing jig or is this a new ? brass version. I have to say that since using your jig, my output has improved considerably in terms of quantity and quality. An unexpected bonus was the learning of the posture, control and muscle memory which have allowed for me to produce some decent pieces simply and completely by hand. What a difference between my previous clunky pieces produced on the router. Thanks for your help.
Beautiful tools, and a beautiful joint! Makes me wonder if I could possibly come close to that quality with budget tools! Then again, you make it look so easy! Well done!
Thanks for the info. I like this uTube video the best because it gets down to the fine details of chisel work. I've watched all of your uTube vids, and I'm wondering what glue you use when you glue together a dovetail.
Brilliant video. your calmness whilst showing your dovetail making technique's. I aim to create crispness. I'm not sure if you have mentioned (I have a Hearing loss) about selling your dovetail templates etc. please advise, thank you.
Just wondering, but why have you chosen to use a coping saw with such depth? Knew Concepts makes saws in a variety of sizes and I would think using a saw without all of that weight hanging from the outer side would give you a much higher degree of control when making such fine cuts, thus having to do even less work with the chisel.
Hi David, I use both, Ashley Iles bevel chisels, and their fabulous dovetail chisels for very fine work. I've been using my trusty old eclipse for removing waste for many years but am interested in that Knew Concepts you are using here. Can I have your views on which is the most useful and are they worth the money? I've had some requests to teach furniture restoration and maybe miniature furniture making classes. I'm looking for something a beginner might find easier to use than a bog standard fretsaw. I'd appreciate your opinion on these saws if you get the time.
The advantage of these saws is they cut straight and I would go for the 8", it's very light and has a good capacity. As to if they are worth the money that's your call but once you've got one you'll never want to use an Eclipse again! All the best, David.
Sorry for the delay in replying, the chisels are the dovetail/paring ones, they are quite delicate but more than capable of taking a whack! All the best, David.
just wondered is that the 17 oz mallet your using, and the best place to buy it is your place of course, been on your website can't see any way of buying it or am i doing something wrong cheers jim
When you have finished your dovetails do you always try the fit before gluing up? What's the process with a blind dovetail? (or even a double blind dovetail joint - where the joint is completely hidden from sight)
Hi George, yes I always see if they want to go together before getting the hammer out or applying any glue. Half blinds are cut the same way as freehand with the same limitation on waste removal from the sockets. I've never done secret mitered dovetails! All the best, David.
I would welcome a video about gluing dovetails. How is the proper balance struck between joints that are tight enough to be aesthetically pleasing but not so tight that the joint is "starved" for glue?
TitusLivy777 The tighter the joint the less it depends on glue to hold it together. As long as you put enough glue on to start with, I believe 'glue starvation' is a myth. If the pieces to be joined, be it dovetails, edge joining or mortice and tenons, are a good fit, the amount of glue and the pressure required are minimal. All the best, David.
+TitusLivy777 I recently experimented with 1/4" mdf (!) joining a corner with 2 very small dovetails. The join was a tight one, and with no glue, amazingly firm. The effect was no doubt enhanced by the spongy nature of mdf, but even so, flexing the 2 pieces in any direction failed to move the components apart, and the 90 degree angle was maintained.
Thin pieces are meant for delicate work which would damaged by a real knock how ever it was joined. I've dovetailed 2" thick boards in the past using these methods and they would take anything you could throw at it! BTY I love Rab.
thin pins appear to be something of status and what has become the norm when shooting for fine joinery. It is a matter of preference and what has become 'pleasing to the eye'. I too look at them and shudder. What pleases me is fatter pins.
I got this "cheating tool" for my birthday from my daughter. Love both (daughter and cheat), helps a lot, as did this video. Thanks Mr Barron. Like Your Style.
Might also add that as someone with poor eyesight and also poor depth perception what you call a cheat I call a life saver. You look like a young chap to me. Wait till you get a little older and stuff stops working as well as it used to.
These are some of the clearest dovetailing instructions I have seen, and I love your style of calm presentation. Thank you for these!
I could watch your videos all day. Actually, some times I do.
This is one of the best chisel videos I know of - I've looked at a lot!
I don't know the first thing about woodworking, and nor was I looking for this. But what a treat! It's a marvellous thing, how RUclips can lead you to jems like this video. Great job, and beautifully presented!
Thank you!
The paring line establishment for pin board really helped thanks a lot! I had much trouble with that before.
Congratulations on a clear, calmly-presented, demonstration. Very useful.
Thanks!
good job, i don't make dovetails in my job but as a carpenter still find the skill and techniques more than useful, great video , thanks
Hi, Yes the guides are being made from aluminium now, I couldn't keep up with demand! They do just the same job. I'm glad you are getting on well with your dovetails, much better than a router. All the best, David.
David - starting out learning to make dovetail joints by hand using hand tools (at 65 years young) and I must say your instructional videos are both informative and inspirational. Keep up the good work.
Hi Michael, thanks very much, I'm glad the videos are useful. You've got years of dovetailing ahead! All the best, David.
Hi, yes it is. It's made by Vesper tools in Australia. All the best, David.
I've recently completed a furniture making course and find that these techniques, especially your method of paring waste from pins, augments what I've learned perfectly. Many thanks to you David for your brilliant, succint and clear videos.
Good info on the video, but also very well edited. Thanks for sharing this. All your work is very high quality.
Very enjoyable to watch you perform surgery. I've bought your dovetail guide and am saving for the beautiful brass hammer you use. If I was where your workshop was, I'd work for free just to learn how to do woodworking right. You make it look so easy and it's not for most of us because we have nobody to teach us the techniques properly. Anyhow, more video's please
James Pugh I'm glad you like the videos and there will be more in the coming months. All the best, David.
Many thanks for the video, for the high quality of resolution and for the great detail and explanation you put on it.
I have a set of round back dovetail chisels by Ashley Iles, and they're absolutely fantastic for dovetailing
Your explanations are so thorough that there is no need for guesswork! I like how you present the tools and also give recommendations for modifications. Also your videos are beautifully edited and engaging. Thanks so much, and I have subscribed!
Excellent video and very well thought out techniques on preparing your chisels and methodology used in cutting the dovetails!
Outstanding videos, David. Having recently bought one of your dovetails guides, I would highly recommend them to someone starting out with hand tools. I was ready to give it up, due to my lousy sawing skills - but the guide immediately let me produce competent cuts!
very cool. Thanks for taking the time - inspiration for newbies (like me).
I'm glad the video was helpful. Happy dovetailing!
David, we miss you ...
Hi, That is a very shallow angle, but you know better than me as I've never worked in soft woods. All the best, David.
hello I am a 21 yr old cabinet makers apprentice and I have been told that for dovetails in soft wood a grind of 15 degrees and a secondary bevel of about 17 works well with soft woods
and stops break out
Regarding the technique you show for paring a pin to size - I have been utilizing your own aluminum dovetail guide and more than once when I have encountered a pin that needs any significant amount of paring, I simply put the pin board back in the vise and used the saw guide to saw off an amazingly small amount of pin material accurately. The magnet pulls the saw enough to resist falling off the tiny ledge as you saw. Of course, with practice at using the guide, the need to do this is becoming less frequent. All the best,
Hi Luke, The 8" saw I'm using weighs almost the same as the smaller saws and they are both very light. I use my forefinger to balance the saw and this keeps it horizontal with very little effort. If you get the chance to use one you'll see what I mean. All the best, David.
Wow! Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's so kind of you to share techniques like this!! :)
I'm glad you found the video useful. All the best, David.
i enjoy your videos very much. one day i will order some of your fancy tools!
Schooner Lily Thank you!
Skill of a surgeon patience of a saint :)
Hola, David. Tú dices gracias por mirar... yo digo, gracias por inspirarme a mejorar.
Beautiful video. Very clear and easy to understand, thanks.
Glad to see you with new videos, ive missed ya.
Hi, I just use a dab of titebond yellow glue on the side of each pin. If it's a good tight fit you don't need much. All the best, David.
@Bradley: Cheating? Oh please. I trust that, for the sake of some mythical "purity," you layout your dovetails by hand without the use of a straightedge; for to do otherwise would be "cheating."
Hi, it's hard work doing them and quite costly too! All the best, David.
Hi David
Are you using your traditional dovetailing jig or is this a new ? brass version. I have to say that since using your jig, my output has improved considerably in terms of quantity and quality. An unexpected bonus was the learning of the posture, control and muscle memory which have allowed for me to produce some decent pieces simply and completely by hand. What a difference between my previous clunky pieces produced on the router. Thanks for your help.
Beautiful tools, and a beautiful joint! Makes me wonder if I could possibly come close to that quality with budget tools! Then again, you make it look so easy! Well done!
Pleasure to watch and learn from your video, Thank you
the cost shows on the quality! well done!
wow, awesome. And very well presented! Love your clean shop :)
Thank you, it only gets cleaned when I shoot videos!
It seems you could use the dovetail guide to mark the line instead of a square. Also the guide can also be used to hold the chisel in place for paring
Thanks for the info. I like this uTube video the best because it gets down to the fine details of chisel work. I've watched all of your uTube vids, and I'm wondering what glue you use when you glue together a dovetail.
Brilliant video. your calmness whilst showing your dovetail making technique's. I aim to create crispness. I'm not sure if you have mentioned (I have a Hearing loss) about selling your dovetail templates etc. please advise, thank you.
+Clownhall Sorry for the delay, I'm glad you like the video. If you see my website I have the dovetail guides etc for sale. All the best, David.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience, sir.
No problem!
Thank you sir, your videos are fantastic.
Another brilliant video. Thanks David, by the way, when is that new aluminum magnetic dovetail guide going to be available on your website?
Your videos are so useful. Can you show us how you sharpen your chisels? Jim
I have some videos coming up shortly I'll try to fir that in
David, thanks for the video. Quick question, what blade do you use on your New Concept coping saw?
Just wondering, but why have you chosen to use a coping saw with such depth? Knew Concepts makes saws in a variety of sizes and I would think using a saw without all of that weight hanging from the outer side would give you a much higher degree of control when making such fine cuts, thus having to do even less work with the chisel.
Why didn’t you also pair away the pin from the back ? Aren’t you risking break out ?
Keep your hands behind the blade of the chisel at all times
Smooth! Great video.
+David Massey Thank you!
Great tips you are really good!
Thank you, I'm glad the video was useful. All the best, David.
Hi David, I use both, Ashley Iles bevel chisels, and their fabulous dovetail chisels for very fine work. I've been using my trusty old eclipse for removing waste for many years but am interested in that Knew Concepts you are using here. Can I have your views on which is the most useful and are they worth the money? I've had some requests to teach furniture restoration and maybe miniature furniture making classes. I'm looking for something a beginner might find easier to use than a bog standard fretsaw. I'd appreciate your opinion on these saws if you get the time.
The advantage of these saws is they cut straight and I would go for the 8", it's very light and has a good capacity. As to if they are worth the money that's your call but once you've got one you'll never want to use an Eclipse again! All the best, David.
Great video, what’s your opinion on Robert sorby chisels?
Splendid! Thank you Sir!
Hi David, Great video! Are you using the Blue Spruce Dovetail/Paring chisels in this video, or their bench chisels?
Sorry for the delay in replying, the chisels are the dovetail/paring ones, they are quite delicate but more than capable of taking a whack! All the best, David.
just wondered is that the 17 oz mallet your using, and the best place to buy it is your place of course, been on your website can't see any way of buying it or am i doing something wrong cheers jim
Theoldguys 8 they are not made any more. Sorry
Available now in all angles!
How did people achieve high end results many yrs ago well before modern tech?
When you have finished your dovetails do you always try the fit before gluing up?
What's the process with a blind dovetail? (or even a double blind dovetail joint - where the joint is completely hidden from sight)
Hi George, yes I always see if they want to go together before getting the hammer out or applying any glue. Half blinds are cut the same way as freehand with the same limitation on waste removal from the sockets. I've never done secret mitered dovetails! All the best, David.
Can I ask your thoughts on dovetailing harder woods like Purple Heart?
What kind of mallet are you using?
Thanks Mate.
wow
I would welcome a video about gluing dovetails. How is the proper balance struck between joints that are tight enough to be aesthetically pleasing but not so tight that the joint is "starved" for glue?
TitusLivy777 The tighter the joint the less it depends on glue to hold it together. As long as you put enough glue on to start with, I believe 'glue starvation' is a myth. If the pieces to be joined, be it dovetails, edge joining or mortice and tenons, are a good fit, the amount of glue and the pressure required are minimal. All the best, David.
davidbarronwoodwork Very helpful! Thank you!
+TitusLivy777 I recently experimented with 1/4" mdf (!) joining a corner with 2 very small dovetails. The join was a tight one, and with no glue, amazingly firm. The effect was no doubt enhanced by the spongy nature of mdf, but even so, flexing the 2 pieces in any direction failed to move the components apart, and the 90 degree angle was maintained.
+Offshoreorganbuilder Good to know! Thank you!
Nice square. Who makes that?
way too good
Unfortunately not everyone has $100 coping saw
Brandon McKinney or more like a few hundred dollar coping saw!
enjoyed
What is that guide you use next to your backsaw? I'm hoping you bought that and didn't make it. I want one!
Whoops you do sell them!! I'm getting one!
It's very nice, unfortunately with modern glue and fasteners completely unnecessary, also too expensive and time consuming :/
Dad, Umm at 11:26 I think Japanese chisel could cut it, but stainless western chisel couldn't cut it.
Try telling my wife that!!
For me, The pieces of wood are too thin for a strong enough joint with dove tails, Any real knock would damage it too easily
Thin pieces are meant for delicate work which would damaged by a real knock how ever it was joined. I've dovetailed 2" thick boards in the past using these methods and they would take anything you could throw at it! BTY I love Rab.
thin pins appear to be something of status and what has become the norm when shooting for fine joinery. It is a matter of preference and what has become 'pleasing to the eye'. I too look at them and shudder. What pleases me is fatter pins.
Like a bawse.
Jesus! 92 degrees..............damn, I did it at 93 degrees.....one more time.
I didn't mean it to be so specific. 91, 92, 93 or 94 take your pick, just not 89!
davidbarronwoodwork Just kidding David I know you can take it (-;
You're doing great work - thumbs up
Cheating using that magnetic dovetail jig buddy
The jig is very helpful but you don't have to use it. I can manage just as well without it but it takes a lot of practice.
I got this "cheating tool" for my birthday from my daughter. Love both (daughter and cheat), helps a lot, as did this video. Thanks Mr Barron. Like Your Style.
Heinrich-Peter Himmelbauer I'm very pleased you like the guide and it has helped you too. All the best, David.
Might also add that as someone with poor eyesight and also poor depth perception what you call a cheat I call a life saver. You look like a young chap to me. Wait till you get a little older and stuff stops working as well as it used to.