The Complete Dovetail: Handmade Furniture's Signature Joint

by Ian J. Kirby

• ISBN13: 9780964399990
• ISBN10: 0964399997
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Pub Co Inc

Summary

The dovetail joint, which woodworkers rely on for making boxes and drawers, is the hallmark of fine craftsmanship. This unique and comprehensive handbook unlocks the intricacies of the classic joint. Woodworkers will learn exactly how to design and lay out all forms of the dovetail, and how to saw and chisel the mating parts for a perfect fit. With detailed explanation at every step and a refreshingly contemporary approach, master craftsman Ian Kirby shows readers how to achieve superb results with traditional hand tools as well as modern router jigs. Variations include the through, single-lap and double-lap dovetail; the secret miter dovetail; dovetail housings, and rail-to-leg dovetails. An essential reference every serious woodworker will need to own.

Table of Contents

Dovetails -- simple, solid, elegant	8	(9)
A Craft heritage	9	(3)
Rightful manner	9	(1)
Continuing the tradition	10	(2)
The dovetail family
Through dovetail	12	(2)
Single lap dovetail	14	(2)
Double lap dovetail	16	(2)
Secret miter dovetail	18	(2)
Strength of a dovetail	20	(3)
Understanding joint strength	20	(3)
Designing the through dovetail	23	(27)
Determining the slope	23	(2)
Layout	25	(3)
Varying the layout	28	(3)
Outer edges	31	(3)
Tools -- selection and preparation
Surface lines	34	(1)
Incised lines	35	(2)
Cutting gauge	37	(2)
Sliding bevel	39	(1)
Miter square	39	(1)
Try square	40	(1)
Rule	40	(1)
Straightedge	40	(1)
Winding strips	41	(1)
West meets East	42	(1)
Dovetail saw	42	(1)
Dozuki saw	43	(1)
Coping saw	44	(1)
Chisels	45	(2)
Bench planes	47	(1)
Shoulder plane	47	(1)
Magnifying your work	48	(1)
Quick and accurate vise work	49	(1)
Putting the tools to work
The importance of practice	50	(1)
Preparation of stock	51	(6)
Face side (first face)	51	(1)
Face edge (second face)	52	(3)
Width (third face)	55	(1)
Thickness (fourth face)	55	(1)
First end (fifth face)	55	(1)
Second end (sixth face)	55	(1)
Summary of cuts	56	(1)
Dovetail logic	57	(3)
Accuracy and working methods	57	(1)
Setting the gauge	58	(2)
Using the tools	60	(33)
Select practice woods	60	(1)
Prepare the pieces	60	(1)
Square the ends	60	(4)
Gauge the shoulder line	64	(3)
Mark the tail cuts	67	(2)
Make the tail cuts	69	(5)
Mark the pin cuts	74	(1)
Make the pin cuts	75	(1)
Remove bulk waste	76	(5)
Clean up the shoulders	81	(5)
Making a stopped socket	86	(3)
Chisel out the waste	89	(4)
Making a through dovetail
Making out	93	(1)
Lay out and mark the tails	94	(1)
Saw the tails	95	(1)
Clean up the shoulders	96	(1)
Mark the pins from the tails	97	(2)
Saw the pins and remove the waste	99	(1)
Clean up and check the shoulders	99	(1)
Assemble the joint	100	(1)
Glue the joint	101	(1)
Mitered corner	102	(1)
Mark the miter	102	(1)
Saw the miter	103	(1)
Pare the miter to the shoulder	104	(1)
Mark pins from tails	105	(1)
Saw the pins	105	(1)
Mark and cut the miter	106	(3)
Misfits	107	(2)
Making a single lap dovetail
Marking out	109	(1)
First setting, one line	109	(1)
Second setting, two lines	109	(1)
Gauge the three lines	110	(1)
Lay out and mark out the tails	111	(1)
Saw the tails	111	(1)
Clean up the shoulders	112	(1)
Mark the pins from the tails	113	(1)
Saw the pins	114	(1)
Chop out the bulk waste	114	(1)
Refine cuts to the shoulder lines	115	(1)
Chisel the sawn face to the end wall	116	(1)
Making a double lap dovetail
Marking out	117	(2)
First gauge setting, three lines	117	(1)
Second gauge setting, one line	118	(1)
Third gauge setting, one line	118	(1)
Make the rabbet	119	(1)
Mark the tails	120	(1)
Saw the tails	121	(1)
Clean out the bulk waste	122	(1)
Clean back to the shoulders	123	(2)
Mark the pins from the tails	125	(1)
Saw the pins	125	(1)
Clean out the bulk waste	126	(1)
Miter the pin corner	127	(1)
Joining the parts	128	(1)
Making a secret miter dovetail
Marking out	129	(2)
First gauge setting, two lines	129	(1)
Second gauge setting, four lines	129	(2)
Lay out the joint	131	(1)
Mark the pins	132	(1)
Saw the pins	132	(1)
Chisel out the waste	133	(1)
Mark the tails from the pins	134	(1)
Saw the tails	135	(1)
Chisel the tails	135	(1)
Make the miter	136	(1)
Making other dovetails
Dovetail halving	137	(5)
Dovetail housing	142	(5)
Drawer top rail	147	(4)
Index	151