In the beginning...
Ha... I always wanted to start that way!
In this blog I will be exploring my passion for woodworking, and giving a step by step guide to how I approach different projects. To start with I will be looking at traditional wood joints. I will go through each process step by step, including any tips, and errors!, in order that it might help You ( and me because my memory needs enforcing!).
The first joint I will be looking at is the mitred hounds tooth dovetail. I chose this one to start because it has several elements to consider,and encourages a precise, accurate, disciplined method of working. The aim, for myself at least, Is to then, through practice, be able to hit all cuts with minimal marking out, still producing intricate beautiful joints...quickly!
- Choose your stock WELL!
- Plane components side square, plane edge square, mark, cut/plane to width and length square.
- Mark plane face and edge.
- Set marking gauge to board thickness, mark all edges to be jointed.
- Using dividers, or rule...or eye!...mark out tail boards, or pins if that's your preference.
- Dovetail marker, and score....or just cut!!
- Second gauge set to 2/3 board thickness, and mark hounds teeth.
- Cuts to line. Remove most of waste with fret or piercing saw, or chisel.
- Cut back to knife line...gently!...
- You can transfer like jointing edges configuration at this point instead of dividers.
- To transfer your tails to pins, or visa, versa, set up something to hold your board square and level to your other board, I use a plane.
- Mark with a knife.
- Mark your Hounds teeth on end grain, with gauge already set up.
- Drop your 90's, and cut...or just cut!
- Cut your mitres, remember to follow the angles, and don't overshoot and damage face edge!
- To remove hounds teeth waste, cut the backs first with a fret saw, then chop back slowly, finally split the knife line, and back at 91 degrees.
- Finally, par up all joints, splitting the knife lines, identify all corners.
- Dry run assembly...easy does it... look for any areas to adjust...if it slides with gentle pressure you can lay on flat surface, glue up, and push into place with the hammer.
- Clamp up, including diagonal if necessary.
Plane fair and....Repeat!!!
