Quick Poll

July 13th, 2008 at 10:03

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Hand cut dovetails can be a challenge. But, they are also a great hallmark of a true craftsman.  So….

So, just how good are your hand cut dovetails?

• I make Frank Klausz look like a rank amateur
• I do them really well
• I'm fair to middlin', but getting better
• I have a ways to go before I get good
• My dovetails look like they were chewed by deranged beavers
• I want to try them, but am terrified to start
• Never gonna cut them - no way, no how
• My hand cut dovetails are awesome - I use a hand-held router and a jig

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Posted by Tom, in Quick Polls

5 Responses to “Quick Poll”

1. James Cottonwood Says:
   July 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am

   Interesting that dovetails are the “mark of craftsmanship.” I think you’re better off looking at the piece as a whole and making *it* look good. Spend some time looking at masterpieces — the dovetails weren’t perfect, but the proportions of the overall work is. I see too much furniture with perfect dovetails that is, sorry to say, ugly from across the room. I wonder at what point the shift of focus moved. Post industrial revolution where the skill was placed in the machine?

2. Tom Says:
   July 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

   James -

   An excellent point. Unfortunately, a lot of emphasis is placed on the ‘perfection’ of one part of the piece. If the DT’s look great, but the piece looks like crap, it’s not a success.

   Also, I think it’s kinda sad that the equation of:

   Dovetails = Craftsmanship

   makes people think that without DT’s, the piece is not a good one.

   Alas, like it or not, that’s something the customers want… so, that’s today’s poll…

3. Roger Sullivan Says:
   July 13th, 2008 at 2:26 pm

   I like to use dovetails as a desigh feture but, do not yet have the skill to do hand cut ones. So I rely on the router/jig to get the effect that I want. I feel that it is a mark of craftmanship to use dovetails but, not nessary for strength of joints with todays glues and other methods of jointery.

   Roger

4. Tom Mulcahy Says:
   July 14th, 2008 at 6:52 am

   Dovetails=craftsman……maybe,but I would consider a craftsman as a conscience effort of design choice,wood selection,proper cutting and milling,assembly, and fit and finish. Yes, I’m one of those with a router and jig….

5. Vic Says:
   July 18th, 2008 at 12:12 am

   I’m getting ready to try my first dovetails. I don’t think that they are a necessary part of great design or workmanship, but I do want to learn how for my own S & G’s. I think simple is usually the best way to go. But, that is mostly because I’m not a huge fan of the ornate.

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