My first dovetail joint after 4 tries at a weekend class in Portland

Signed up for a hand tool class at the local woodworking shop last month. The instructor made us sharpen our chisels first, which I always skipped before. After cutting pins and tails three times on scrap, the fourth one actually fit tight with no gaps. Felt good enough to take a photo and send to my dad. Has anyone else had a project finally click after a few failed attempts?

2 comments

2 Comments

spencer_coleman1mo ago

I read somewhere that hand cut dovetails are more about feel than measuring, and that first tight joint is basically muscle memory kicking in. It makes sense that yours clicked after a few tries since your hands were finally getting used to the saw angle and chisel pressure. Sounds like that class was worth it for the sharpening lesson alone, I used to fight with dull tools all the time before I learned better.

danielnelson1mo ago

Spencer's right about the sharpening part, but did you try bracing your wrist against your chest?