Lapped dovetails

[Anonymous]

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[Roger]

I've always used pretty much what you describe - a slightly skewed Bevel Edge .......... of course there's always the 'Rat' or similar! The outer appearance is the same, but much faster

 

[Wylie2112]

Jacob,

Hi! I'm starting a project very similar, my first wood project, and I'm trying to do it all with handtools just to learn the craft. I have been debating how to secure the sides to the tops and bottoms. I was thinking of doing it with a sliding dovetail but I have no idea how to make the shapes or how to do it so the joint comes out square and true.

Can I ask you how you decided on the dovetails and how you typically make them? I'm assuming you mean a dovetail-shaped joint that you slide one into another, am I right?

Cheers,
Shawn

 

[woodbloke]

Mr G - yup, that's what's needed ideally. You can do it with bevelled chisels ordinaire but a pair of skewed chisels make the whole job easier. Axminster sell a set by Crown I believe, but you can just as easily by a pair of second hand chisels and grind 'em yourself - Rob

 

[Anonymous]

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[Roger]

Shawn

Here's a basic site with details and descriptions of various joints, including Dovetails. However you're probably better off getting hold of a good Woodworking reference book and then practicing a lot before you dive into some decent construction.

Dovetail Joints

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

no prob except for the inner corners of the housings; I feel that there must be a more efficient or neat way and that what I really need is a pair of opposite-handed, skewed, bevel-edge (paring) chisels. Is this what the experts would use or are there other suggestions as to how to do it neatly and quickly?

Jacob

For the inside corner of a half blind dovetail, this is the chisel I use:

Basically, it is a fishtail chisel I made from an old, spare chisel. Skew chisels are useful for cleaning out corners as well, but they need to be used like a knife. A fishtail chisel cuts on the push, which affords greater control.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Wylie2112]

My mistake. I misunderstood what Jacob was describing. I was thinking of a blind house joint but with a dovetail profile. The top and bottom of my bookcase are going to be longer than the shelves, so the uprights will intersect them about an inch in from the edge. I was thinking about joining them with a blind housejoint, but that won't be very strong for lifting the bookcase by the top and I dind't want to just hope the glue held in that cirsumstance. I was hoping Jacob was on the same thing so I could piggy back on the thread.

Cheers,
Shawn

 

[Anonymous]

Basically, it is a fishtail chisel I made from an old, spare chisel. Skew chisels are useful for cleaning out corners as well, but they need to be used like a knife. A fishtail chisel cuts on the push, which affords greater control.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Just the job - I'll do one tomorrow. Thanks Derek

cheers
Jacob

 

[Alf]

Skew chisels are useful for cleaning out corners as well, but they need to be used like a knife. A fishtail chisel cuts on the push, which affords greater control.

You've lost me there, Derek. In what respect d'you mean the skews need to be used like a knife? Elucidate for this poor dimwit, if you would.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

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[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Derek Cohen (Perth, Oz) wrote:
Skew chisels are useful for cleaning out corners as well, but they need to be used like a knife. A fishtail chisel cuts on the push, which affords greater control.

Alf wrote:
You've lost me there, Derek. In what respect d'you mean the skews need to be used like a knife? Elucidate for this poor dimwit, if you would.

Alf, I suspect that this is too simple for you! A dimwit you are not :lol:

Here are a couple of drawings. The first usesa fishtail chisel, and the second a skew chisel.

Keep in mind that you are look at a plan of a half-blind dovetail, that is down at a open recess. The side walls are perpendicular, but these are angled to the rear wall (forming ... a dovetail!). It is the rear corners that prove difficult to clear with a chisel. Paring down towards the base is easier enough since the angle (created by the rear and side walls) is not a barrier. But paring the angle created by the base and side wall is the problem.

Fig #1: pushing a fishtail chisel

Fig #2: cutting with a skew chisel:

The point here is that it is easier to push a chisel forward than to cut with one sideways. Note that I also have skew chisels, and find that they are essential for through dovetails.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[David C]

Derek,

That's a huge angle on your skew chisel diagram.

I prefer to prepare mine just over 1:6 (or is that under?) as this is the steepest dovetail angle that I use. They then clean the corner with a straight push.

Just a thought,

best wishes from a stormy North Devon winter,

David

 

[Roger]

I can see some advantage maybe with the Fishtail in that it's only one Chisel for both corners - but that does depend on the angle being very accurate as David's pointed out.

The skew 'seems' just a little more versatile somehow - but it's probably more personal preference really. I might just find or make a Fishtail however - I can see it coming in handy sometime!

 

[Alf]

Ah, see what you meant now Derek. I can only concur with the previous opinions; kinda depends on the degree of skew in your skew chisels. I confess I prefer the idea of justifying two chisels to one as well... :wink: Gratuitous shot for no good reason whatsoever:

Cheers, Alf

 

[woodbloke]

Alf - do like them handles - will have to have a go ere long on my own pair of skewed chisels - Rob

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Derek,

That's a huge angle on your skew chisel diagram.

David

Here is a picture of the Crown skews I own. I bought them about 3 years ago. They still have the same skew angle they came with. I did not change it as I found them useful to clean up through dovetails.

The fishtail chisel has sides ground to 1:6. I cannot claim any creativity here as I got the idea from Rob Cosman.

These skews, in any case, are too large for some of the skinny dovetail, so I plan to make a few in the near future.

I did make a dovetailed box today. A Christmas present for a galoot. Jarrah and Mahogany.

Inside is a dovetail marking knife and a scratch awl.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Alf]

Nice set, Derek.

 

[Anonymous]

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