Hand cut dovetails can be a challenge. But, they are also a great hallmark of a true craftsman. So….
[poll id=”30″]
5 thoughts on “Quick Poll”
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?
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…
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
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….
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.
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?
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…
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
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….
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.