-
5 Attachment(s)
Roy
I was in the shop again tonight and snapped a few pics
on some of the steps I use.
With the tails cut out I cut a small ledge with a skew block
plane to help in pin marking.
Attachment 106244
The tail board will stay put when I mark them out.
Attachment 106246
I make sure I mark my chisel with a felt pen to ensure
That when chopping I don't go to deep.
When I start the chopping it take 3 or 4 times before
I am to the right depth. If one goes to deep to quick
there is a good chance it will blow out below my line.
Attachment 106245
When I am doing the clean up I have a backer board
to again make sure I don't again blow out any thing.
There is only 1/8" face on these so they are not very strong.
Attachment 106247
And here is the fruits of a couple nights in the shop.
Attachment 106248
Turned out pretty good. But there sure is a lot more to do...
Tails are cut for the next 2 drawers and the pins done for one.
With any luck might have the next two done in my next session.
.
-
Looking good, Gary!
BTW, this appears to be almost an "all L-N" session...saw, chisels, plane, and workbench. And maybe the titemark gauge for good measure?
Keep up the great work and please let us see the finished product.
Kevin
-
Great pics Gary - and much appreciated. I am watching this thread closely, having just finished watching Cosman's set of DVDs, and ordering the rest of the "stuff" I need to embark on this handcut thing.
Over the past few weeks, I have been reflecting on the first click I made in this "Haven". I have determined that you guys are somewhat (but in a much nicer way!) akin to crack dealers. You suck in us "pitiful powered putterers" with your pretty tools, and sly ways - and, before we know it - we are hooked. Sly indeed!
Please post more pics as you progress - I need daily fixes until the rest of my "stuff" arrives.
-
Gary,
That is very similar to my technique. Your results are really tight and precise! Great work!
-
Gary,
Very nice. That gives me hope. I was just going to start a thread and ask how well other people are doing handcut dt's. I can attest to practicing as Rob states and shows in his DVD's. i can already cut MUCH more accurately with some simple exercises with the DT saw. I like your all LN setup. :) That's the route i'm going as well. Slowly but surely - their stuff is spendy, but its quality.
I have been watching Rob C's DVD's and really like his method. I was all about Frank K, but after seeing Rob's method, I like it better. Just a bit more accurate and easier for a beginner IMO.
As for your bench, very nice! I have been on the LN waiting list for over a year now. The price was 1899 when i got on the list and its now 2500. I gave up since I can't justify it for myself - went w/ a Sjoberg elite 2000 instead. But man, i am envious of that bench to an extent - i just love a european bench layout.
I just got my bench last week and am looking forward to working on some dovetails now that i can properly hold the boards.
Good luck on the drawers!
-
4 Attachment(s)
The Pile Gets Higher
Good day to the Creek!
I got good shop time this weekend and smashed together a few more drawers.
As I was doing the last ones I took a couple of extra pics.
For anyone that has trouble with the glue up I use this.
A little spatula that makes spreading glue evenly a breeze.
Attachment 106601
Before the tail and pin board are put together I use a chisel
and ease the back corners to relieve a little of the stress
as the two pieces are going together.
Attachment 106602
A lot of the times I will clamp the pin board lightly.
Just in case the joint wants to crack.
I have a tendency to have the joint too tight rather than too loose.
Clamp will come off in a couple of hours.
Attachment 106608
And my pile gets higher....
6 done but a lot more to go.
Attachment 106609
This evening I will try and get the tails cut for the next 4 drawers.
Thanks for taking a look..
.
-
Looking good. Keep it up, one step at a time gets the job done. Is your back doing alright. I tend to stoop when cutting/chopping my DTs which makes for a stiff back the next day.
-
4 Attachment(s)
A little More Progress
Good Day To The Creek
A little more progress on my drawers this week.
10 done. Double digits!
Again there are a couple of extra pics as tips.
I use two dividers with my lay out. They were set on the first
drawer and give me consistent pins, tails and shoulders.
Attachment 107236
As I don't know if my bench is perfectly level I make sure my
tail and pin boards are plum with a level.
Attachment 107237
The results I have been very happy with.
Attachment 107238
And a quick shot of how the project is coming along.
I hope this week I can get the last 5 3 1/2" drawers done.
Then I will take a break and start my uppers.
Attachment 107239
Hope everyone gets a little shop time this weekend.
.
-
Question
Gary,
I hope I don't turn us off topic of this thread because I love what you are doing, but I have a question... You mentioned taking Rob Cosman's 1-week 'Training the Hand' workshop. Question - would you consider it worth the money and time. I have been wanting to take that class but it would be a lotta coin for me. I would be traveling from Atlanta so I'm guessing around 3K in expenses (including the class). I have all the tools so no added cost there. Any comment would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, and the drawers look superb - I guess that in itself may answer my question.
-
Gary, I'm just finishing lunch and heading out to finish up some dovetails of my own. You've done a great job! I like your trick about clamping the drawers so that they don't split. Everything is coming along nicely. Thanks for the progress pics.
-
2 Attachment(s)
This Weeks Goal
Well the tails are done for the next 5 small drawers.
Attachment 107527
Nice and tidy. Except for one little problem.
Two of the tail boards were machined backwards.
The grain running the wrong way and may be a bit
of a pain with tear out with this birch. I will have to be
careful on the cleanup on these two.
One more little thing that I do.
During the glue up I rub the excess glue around.
This will fill any small imperfections.
Won't hide big mistakes, but turns a great joint into
something even better.
Attachment 107528
My goal is to get these 5 done this week.
And then do a little work on the uppers.
.
-
Gary, these are coming along great! Another late nite in the shop. Your post shows 12:46 am, and I believe there is a 2 hour zone difference. You are really making some good progress. I meant to ask you, are you gang cutting the tails? Others have talked about that, but it looks like it would compound any error - maybe not?
I am still in "practice" mode, but getting more consistency in my saw cuts. Really enjoying watching this project come together!! Thanks, again.
-
OK, dumb question...
What difference does it make if your tail and pin boards are perfectly level?
My dovetails are not nearly as good as yours, but I angle the tail boards so that I saw straight up and down, or close to it.
Just curious, your technique obviously works for you...
-
I noticed you "altered" one of your LN's into a fishtail. Does that one aid in the cleanup of the tail sockets?
-
Michael.
I have 3 chisels that were ground into fish tails.
They do get nicely into the corners when doing 1/2 blinds.
I also have some skew chisels but really don't use them.
For me it's too much switching back and forth to get into each corner.
Martin.
I know my dovetail saw will cut straight. All I have to do is aim it. When I am cutting the pins for a half blind I concentrate on the angle on the top. Through muscle memory it seems to fall straight down. With the tails, if the board is level the angles are the same. So for me to repeat it each way seems to work. Again all I worry about is to line up top line and just aim the saw on the angle.
As you said one goes with whatever works for them.
John.
I have heard about the gang cutting but have not tried it.
The sawing for me goes quite quickly. So I guess if its not broke why try and fix it..
Got some shop time again tonight and have another 2 drawers put together.
As I was going out I saw Jasons curly cherry table in the project forum.
Holy crap are those pretty dovetails. Real pretty dovetails....
.