Using a dovetail saw

[iclark]

Arlin,

Pedder wants to see how your body would be positioned relative to what you are cutting.

Most people seem to prefer cutting the dovetails or fingers into the top of a board held vertically.

So, how will the boards be held when you are cutting dovetails? Saying that you are working on a wooden top on a metal bench has me wondering about what vises or clamps you are/will_be using.

Can you get your wife to take a picture of you at the bench with a board positioned for dovetailing?

thanks,
Ivan

[Arlin Eastman]

Arlin,

Pedder wants to see how your body would be positioned relative to what you are cutting.

Most people seem to prefer cutting the dovetails or fingers into the top of a board held vertically.

So, how will the boards be held when you are cutting dovetails? Saying that you are working on a wooden top on a metal bench has me wondering about what vises or clamps you are/will_be using.

Can you get your wife to take a picture of you at the bench with a board positioned for dovetailing?

thanks,
Ivan

Thanks  I knew that and waiting for my wife to come over to take a picture of me next to the bench.

I do not know much of how thick dovetails should be but thinking 1/2 to 3/4".  I am thinking of making a wooden plate so when I do the cutting the saw will only cut so far and not any more then that.  What I have done in the past is use a scroll saw to cut the part out I do not want and use a chisel to do the rest.   However they look awful either I cut to far or trim to much or take the wrong part out.  To correct the one I now put an X on the part to cut and NOT go to the line but use a chisel for that.  For each error I make I try to figure out a way to correct it all except for the cutting to far part hence my wooden plate or thinking of just having a saw that is 3/4" to the rib so it will not go any farther then that.

Also that is why I ask for ideas to see how others solve their problems. 

One other thing I have done is press to hard on the saw and it goes sideways on the cut and not on the line.  I am thinking mostly do to the sharpness of the blade not cutting and I need to learn how to sharpen them instead of collecting a saws.  

[ChuckHill]

I need to learn how to sharpen them instead of collecting a saws.  

It is probably easier than you think to sharpen a saw poorly, but adequately.  It will still cut better than a dull saw.  That is about as far as I have gotten. Learning to sharpen well and quickly is a longer term project, but your saws will be usable while you learn.  You can do it.

[Pedder]

Arlin,

I think a low hanged saw with a 0.020" blade, 16 tpi smooth rip cut  (5° rake or even more) and a full heavy spine will help you.

Something like this:

No downward pressure needed, so you can concentrate on the line. but please send the picture and take the numbers of your hand as shown here:

https://two-lawyers-toolworks.blogspot.c...-page.html

And then I will need a little time.

Cheers
Pedder

[stav]

Wow!, that is a very striking saw.  What type of wood is used in the handle?

[Arlin Eastman]

Wow!, that is a very striking saw.  What type of wood is used in the handle?

It looks like spalted beach but if I remember right they had a masseur birch at one time too.

[Arlin Eastman]

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[Pedder]

Wow!, that is a very striking saw.  What type of wood is used in the handle?

Thanks, that is karelian masur birch.

Best regards
Pedder

[Arlin Eastman]

Thanks, that is karelian masur birch.

Best regards
Pedder

That has always been my favorite wood and would have loved turning it.  However, after I found out how much it cost and how hard it is to get I gave up trying to get it and who would pay for it if they bought the item.

[stav]

You're one up on me, I have never even heard of that variety before.  That is a fabulous saw.