tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post2855846282646581337..comments2022-02-25T10:50:38.538-08:00Comments on Oregon Woodworker by Andy Margeson: Dovetails are for the birdsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-23908434632937447542016-09-08T18:46:53.576-07:002016-09-08T18:46:53.576-07:00Richard,
This might appear contradictory but, to ...Richard,<br /><br />This might appear contradictory but, to me at least, it isn't. I want to make sure that my ambivalence regarding dovetails results from an aesthetic and woodworking judgment and not a rationalization because I am not that good at cutting them. I want to be able to say, "I can cut them well but I choose not to."<br /><br />With regard to your sanding vs. handplaning example, if somebody told me sanding is better than handplaning but I knew they couldn't plane very well, their opinion wouldn't mean very much to me.<br /><br />There is another reason to learn to cut dovetails well even if you aren't going to use the joint. There are so many skills involved that you learn a great deal. As I'll explain in later posts, I learned things that are very worthwhile even though I won't use them in making dovetail joints.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10394365117138074832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-28249439837284865062016-09-08T13:32:59.461-07:002016-09-08T13:32:59.461-07:00I agree that you should make the type of joints or...I agree that you should make the type of joints or work that you feel like.<br />Dovetails are a fine joint, but they are not the "it and all" of woodworking. I find it much more important to reach some nice proportions in whatever project is being built. <br />Few people besides other woodworkers will ever notice if a dovetail or a mitre is being used. But they will surely see if the proportions of e.g. a chest are all off. <br />Brgds<br />Jonas<br />Jonas Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07787393233185454227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-13593456861059909842016-09-08T10:05:12.081-07:002016-09-08T10:05:12.081-07:00I read once that while dovetails were commonly use...I read once that while dovetails were commonly used for carcases in the 18th and 19th centuries, they were usually covered in the final product by moulding or other pieces of the construct. It wasn't until the 20th century that the exposed dovetail came into view. Personally I love the look and I also love the challenge of cutting and fitting them. But good for you for doing your own thing. I'll look forward to reading about what you learned from your own experimentation.Matt McGranehttp://tinyshopww.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-35305744824534397122016-09-08T09:31:23.338-07:002016-09-08T09:31:23.338-07:00"I think that the whole practice, practice, p..."I think that the whole practice, practice, practice thing misses something."<br />Agreed, because cutting dovetails is a skill that requires the help of a good teacher. <br /><br />"I would have to convince myself that I am proficient at making them."<br />You're contradicting yourself. Why would you need to try to be good at them if you already set out that other joinery methods are equally good? It's like saying sanding is better than handplaning, but I need to be good at planing before I could assert that opinion. Or, using power tools is great but I need be good at hand tools before telling the world power tools make great woodworking.<br /><br />RichardAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-2994799641154201052016-09-08T08:36:47.184-07:002016-09-08T08:36:47.184-07:00I also like the look of Greene and Green joints bu...I also like the look of Greene and Green joints but looking forward to your dovetail revelations! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-66859731132314793022016-09-08T02:33:36.043-07:002016-09-08T02:33:36.043-07:00Interesting point of view. I'm with you - ther...Interesting point of view. I'm with you - there are other joints out there which also look nice and provide good stability . Miter joints for boxes are pretty cool and the whole box is easy to make (even with hand tools) as you have already described.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17569365598390231433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-31084681999775310682016-09-08T02:26:30.557-07:002016-09-08T02:26:30.557-07:00Interesting take on dovetails. I taught myself how...Interesting take on dovetails. I taught myself how to do them because I considered them to what you say they are. 5 years later and I'm still learning how to do them. <br />I liked the alternatives, especially the Greene and Greene one. Next to dovetails, I like box joints almost as much. Miters are still an evil thing for me.Ralph Boumenothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10606484453109932074noreply@blogger.com