Hello from Yadkinville

[LeftyTom]

Tom here, new member, looking to learn the art of hand-cut dovetails and mortise-tenon joinery. I have the hand tools, but haven't mastered the art of hand-sawing yet. I have a router with a 1/4" collet, but the router dovetail jigs I've seen mention 1/2" collets. Then again, a jig may be a nuisance, with all the setup just so I can cut dovetails for 2 boxes at a time.

I've done some general carpentry, and birdhouse building. Nothing like a birdhouse with routed edges....

I haven't done any large-scale woodwork, save for the occasional shelves or bookcase.

 

[NCPete]

The Rockler kit comes with a 1/4 inch bit. Welcome to the forum!

 

[D L Ames]

Tom, welcome to NCWW. I am glad you could join us here. I look forward to seeing some of your work so don't forget to request a photo album.

D L

 

[DaveO]

Welcome again, I wish I could offer advice on hand cutting DTs, but I have just mastered the art of setting up my jigs :lol: :lol:
Dave

 

[RandyJ]

Hi Tom! Welcome to the best WWing site on the whole WWW. Great folks here always willing to help. Don't hesitate to jump in anytime with questions or suggestions.
Enjoy the site.
Take care,

 

[skeeter]

Hello Tom and welcome to the site.

 

[b4man]

Welcome Tom! Another lefty I presume? I am too and blame all my inability on that! :lol: There is a very useful aid in laying out dovetails called a saddle. Veritas makes them in different angles. Those and a decent saw make cutting and fitting easier for me.
There's a wealth of knowledge here, enjoy!

 

[sapwood]

Another warm welcome Tom! Enjoy your visits and share your experiences :mrgreen:

Sapwood

 

[gsdoby]

Welcome from Dobson. Glad to see people from this area join the forum. I believe you will like it.

 

[cskipper]

Another lefty - Yea!!! Welcome to the site. Please request a photo album so we can see you work, even in progress. We LOVE pictures!

 

[McRabbet]

Welcome to the site, Tom -- keep at it on the hand cut dovetails and you'll be happy that you've mastered one of the oldest and strongest and prettiest joints in all of woodworking. Perseverance pays!

Rob

 

[LeftyTom]

Thanks for the heary welcome, fellow forumites. Anywhere I can get a decent left-handed hammer?

 

[rbdoby]

You might want to ask gsdoby. He's a southpaw too. Good luck with the hand cut dovetails. When you figure it out come to Dobson and give me some pointers.

 

[Gofor]

Ref: Left handed Hammer: I think Emerson makes one and sells it under the Ridgid brand. It has a plastic molded grip and should ber marked "left" or Right" on the handle. Don't know if you could find it at the BORG, but you might want to check an industrial supply place that sells Ridgid and Metabo.
The other option is get some oak or hickory and a drawknife and make your own handle. When my hands started giving me trouble after too many years running pneumatic sanders and spray guns, I started making my own hammer handles. Even tho I'm not a lefty, biasing the oval and adjusting the size if the grip to your hand can make a lot of difference in how it feels to use and reduce the grip pressure needed.


HTHs:lol:

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