3-Minute Dovetails

Master cabinetmaker Frank Klausz cut dovetails with two bowsaws in less than three minutes.
See more of this technique done "The European Way" here: • Dovetails for Drawers ...

[@anthonysmalawipredators8794]

"Don't force it, just get a bigger hammer!"

[@chrischaral1145]

There is nothing like this gentleman - artist of woodworking.Thank you sir.

[@HacknBuild]

That was amazing, I'd be spending my first three minutes planning out how to measure everything!

[@PeterPasieka]

I have a feeling he's made more dove tails in an hour than I've seen videos about dove tails in my entire life... That was good...

[@jesse_cole]

I guess you really can do a dovetail in 3 minutes... just add about 60 years of practice.

[@Megahertzs]

That is exactly what I was thinking...

[@HiltownJoe]

@@greghay3709 a functional joint. Not allways do you need something to look nice, but sometimes you need to make something fast. Making something just good enough as fast as possible is a valuable skill.

[@ared18t]

He has a saw that has a bend in it to make it cut horizontal inside the dovetails.

[@teaCupkk]

@@greghay3709 He accomplished working dovetails without braking a sweat and wasting half a day. The economy of gestures, the efficiency of his method and tools is what we like. I say his method, but really, you just witnessed a piece of history. It is the old way cabinet makers used to knock out quick dovetails for the out of sight bits of furniture, or furniture that was only meant to be functional, rather than good looking. They were perfectly capable of making neat dovetails, but only put in the effort where it was warranted.

[@jazzman1626]

Check out the Queen Anne chest of drawers he made with a carved seashell on the front. Absolutely superb skills!

[@ryanmaly]

"if it's too tight, don't force it...just get a bigger hammer" has always been my motto. It's also the reason I will never be able to dovetail like this master.

[@MakeSomething]

This is why I love Frank!

[@pjmd2010]

Just great job. Maybe one day

[@BillSchimmer]

Of course I can do that. I saw it KZbin once.

[@Quantiples]

The guy recording him says he sucks.

[@mmanut]

Frank is the best. No one comes close. Fascinating to watch. Over 25 yrs ago I bought tapes with him teaching hand woodworking. I wore the tapes out.

[@monkeyboydesign]

I think this is the best demo I have ever seen

[@CMRWoodworks]

Wow that was awesome! I wasn't expecting him to pull out some huge frame saws.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

When you look at the finished job, it's actually a bit rough. However, the glue (scotch glue) would take care of a lot of that, by filling in the small gaps and certainly the paint would. As he said, " ... a paint-grade job." (In one workshop, I was told that, if the joints were a bit rough, the answer was, "Get out the tin of 5/8 paint.") This is a fascinating video, and shows how, in the past, craftsmen could 'knock out' dovetail joints in super short times. Another point to make, for those who don't know, is that dovetail joints are *not* a way to show off your craftsmanship (though they can be) but are a practical and simple way to make a *strong* joint between two boards. One wheeze I have never seen before is the twisted saw blade. Excellent idea! (I'm going out to try it, right now. Maybe it will work with my fretsaw ...)

[@frankpichardo5299]

Offshoreorganbuilder It would take me a month to finish one tail, and it would still look bad, 😂

[@dlwatib]

Actually, paint won't cover up workmanship like that. You're still going to see a crude dovetail joint under the paint. And if you try to glop on a heavier coat of paint to hide it and fill in voids, it's going to make the project look even worse. It makes me shudder to think about it. Take your time. Do it right the first time. Be proud of your work.

[@chrish267]

dlwatib hater

[@TheLunnyBear]

Great point on how it's a quick way for a very strong joint. I see a lot of old furniture come and go where I work,. One of the things I notice is very sloppy, rough looking dovetail joints on drawers, yet they are extremely strong still after decades of use.

[@jcows12]

dlwatib lol Youre missing the point....

[@richcollins3490]

If l hadn't seen it with my eyes I wouldn't have believed it, absolutely incredible!

[@androidgameplays4every13]

It's a joke, it looks like crap.

[@richnfamous59]

that's a great trick with the bow saw - twisting the blade. thankyou!

[@joeb5358]

Love this guy. Old World Charm. 3 min.! Call Guinness!

[@jessekoch3480]

He does not suck he is a craftsman. Pay your respect to these talent individuals for they have spent decades perfecting it.

[@SnausageKing]

It’s said in love and with no small amount of jealousy for his skills

[@lancemcque1459]

This guys is a dovetail NINJA!

[@avrahamgoldberg9731]

He's a wizard!

[@beauxtx1959]

When he gets to heaven, he'll show God how to make dovetails. He's my hero. So fluid, so graceful. What a talent!!

[@samlsn]

How in tarnations did he get that blade to wrap under for the horizontal cuts in one stroke? I feel like I just watched a magician pull a rabbet(yep) out of a hat

[@craftycub]

i was looking at that too! crazy. looks like thats what the knobs are for on the end. the blade is vertical on one end and then twists to horizontal towards the back of the blade. i will have to try that. really awesome!

[@dan__________________]

The blade has a twist.

[@csozoli]

The blade is vertical and has no teeth on it in the first 5 or so inches and then a light turn and the blade have teeth and its horizontal. Its not the knobs that do the job, yeah you can turn a simple narrow blade with the knobs but it will ruin the blade. the knobs are for overall adjusting, if u turn one knob u have to turn the other and so on,

[@joewilson2271]

This may be the first comment I've ever thumbsed up on a KZbin video. I've had this account for 8 years... You deserve it

[@Brakken99]

It did seem like a magic trick the way he does it so quickly and confidently... after slowing the vid down and seeing how his blade was adjusted in the framing saw I realized the same could be done by adjusting a cheapo coping saw which works great. I made it a touch better by filing down the first 1/4th of the saw blades to aid in the twist-cut to get the horizontal going. It's an amazing technique by an old school master. Thanks to Frank!

[@1Jaz5d]

Had to watch this twice! Still can't believe it, gonna watch it again...

[@hmarillejla7]

Like this no fuss no gadgets no nothing just simple perfection.

[@gailjohnson3544]

I love your work and how you keep it simple. I wish you were my dad and I would be next to you as you teach me the whats and the hows.

[@Blackrain4xmas]

sigh, just unbelievable INCREDIBLE

[@scottdingwall4579]

A true master craftsman 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@youcantouchgrasstoo]

Hot damn. True king of dovetails.

[@glen-ozzstarscars8474]

Practice makes perfect, Frank knows what he'd doing! Cool video, thanks

[@mbartslife]

I like how you setted up your tools :)

[@ErikBongers]

I'm currently creating half a dozen drawers with dovetails for a cabinet in my workshop, so no perfection needed. So, I came to take another look at this video for, ahum...inspiration.

[@tornadokat]

How many people who have done dovetails giggle when they get to the end of this video like the guy behind the camera? I watched all these videos of people using jigs and making them look so perfect with routers and thought naw I'm sticking with box joints then saw this one and thought oh ya! Paint grade, makes perfect sense! If I'm going to paint it then quick and a little rough works fine... sand it, paint it, looks perfect!

[@markspc1]

Wow, absolutely incredible !

[@seaviewjim]

Awesome a word that gets bandied about a lot on here for very little reason but that is truly awesome !

[@nev123123123]

Amazing even the tools he uses are different

[@Ed19601]

Ok, I am officially impressed

[@garygarrett1]

Those have to be the sharpest saws in history of saws! dang.

[@TheHibener]

Experience _does_ matter - nice to see :-)

[@purestjudgement1624]

His skill level is over 9000.

[@Lazasakh]

I pushed subscribe immediately after this video! )

[@hudsonriverlee]

Frank this video is Sic. Lol. Just Sic. The saw, good grief, just a fun and informative video to watch.

[@gerardopulus22]

Maestro sin palabras

[@sammarks5447]

Outstanding old timer!!!

[@postholedigger8726]

Why do the producers of instructional videos add distracting music?

[@StevenLarkin]

Thanks for this... especially in the day of there is a jig for everything

[@jannekaukiainen1471]

Whaaaat! Just awesome!

[@jacindroid9534]

I can only say WOW!!!

[@lbhunter6341]

Oh for a day with Frank Klausz...difficult it would be to find time better spent...

[@dougjones4987]

Thats awesome..

[@SolveEtCoagula93]

Made my day! LOL

[@COD_ben]

Gosh, What am I doing with my life lol this guys amazing

[@dansilecchia7355]

Smoke and mirrors!!! Nice Job, Nice sharp tools! Bueno!

[@joejamesmonroe1854]

VERY impressive Frank!!! A TRUE MASTER. What kind of blades do you have on those bow/turning saws? Thanks Frank

[@DanielStarbuck]

Dang, not bad at all, i cant get set up to cut in the time it takes him to do it all, although my shed/workshop is tiny and if i hold my body the wrong way i knock a pile of junk over haha

[@tater0909]

Love these videos. Would love to work and learn!

[@randolphwhitworth8302]

you're awesome Sir!!!

[@cayetanodomingueztoro7963]

UN TRABAJO ESTRAORDINARIO. FELICIDADES.

[@brianpatmore8418]

Wow !

[@111violist]

I must confes, I watch his with nose on the screen. He is magician.....lot of fun.

[@mutegenic]

Went full Gepetto on that one

[@RogiervanReekum]

True love.

[@thomasdickson35]

That saw he uses for cleaning the waste out is amazing. Somehow that blade turns that corner and cuts crazy fast. What is it?

[@ionutzstoica]

i guess the dents are horizontals om the blade and at the handling the blade itself is narower

[@romanjohnston]

Looks like you have done this once or twice! (comment made before the end of the video)

[@frontlinediy1814]

Jesus man knows his business

[@pinkeye00]

Making dovetails from around the corner with those saws

[@buxtra]

Aproximately? Pretty tight I guess! A router? A dovetail template? Precision saw? Now for sale on Ebay...

[@dmgaul1966]

I think I need a bigger hammer!!! Fun video.

[@ManhattanWoodProject]

Wow, that's incredible! Is it possible to have too much experience? :)

[@rsauve999]

Amazing!

[@peterlucas6732]

60 years of practice culminating in 3 minute dovetails.

[@manny75586]

Most videos on the topic on KZbin take 5 minutes just trying to decide which saw to use.

[@Suicidekings_]

That's not 3 minutes, that's decades upon decades of experience required to Master that.

[@PilotJames3]

Lol. That was great! You crazy!

[@stevecathrynlarkin5507]

super cool!!!

[@ovlety]

wow, amazing!

[@primalfury2011]

Wow. Holy gap Ville.you COULD fit the titanic thru that

Kick ass!

[@qigong1001]

Rob Cosman just deuced his pants.

[@andrewaustin6941]

Slap Stick Actually rob did a video response to this one eight or nine years ago lol. He did a perfect not a "paint grade" dovetail in 3:40

[@738polarbear]

@@andrewaustin6941 Yes he did . It was much better quality.

[@bernd.b6288]

Great 🙌

[@adamchristopher2000]

Brilliant :-)

[@aravindavetrivelu8855]

Awesome! Thought this is another one of those videos with misleading titles.

[@monkeyboydesign]

were you expecting real doves?

[@StavrosGakos]

"once maby twice" :)

[@jonasdaverio9369]

You there! No surprise, haha! I'm a sub, by the way, I really like what you do

[@ConnectionRefused]

"You suck Frank...you absolutely suck" - LOL...my thoughts exactly. ...now to go figure out where I can buy one of those twisty frame saws

[@justboty2k81]

Its interesting - but it also looks like a three minute dovetail :D

[@thekchile]

Man, it would take me longer to join that with screws, it would be funny to see him race against someone using pocket holes

[@salsaybachata.clchile7170]

Wow

[@bengrahamart]

It’s almost like he has done this before. 👽

[@ironmantooltime]

🙌

[@ginosmovies]

Eh Frank , Have a beer! LMAO!

[@dulcimoredan]

WOW!!!

[@acerjuglans383]

Is that your biggest saw?

[@PBS-nm1uu]

an explanation would be nice

[@cem6662]

all respect for you. worship worship worship

[@robertchurchill3485]

Where would someone even find those thpes of saws"??

[@jerrywhidby.]

I want to know how the blade went from vertical to horizontal.

[@kurtgraber6718]

Me too!! I watched it again and still cant figure it out...Trickery!!!!

[@738polarbear]

I think khe was showing how fast he can cut the joint freehand with no measuring and no gauges or marking out . I have seen Franks quality work and it is flawless . Do people seriously think he does not know what he did ? Get a bigger hammer . Ha ha ha .

[@andrewgarratt5191]

😁👍🏽😁👍🏽Ok so apparently if I get a bow saw and a turning saw....there is no reason in the world to buy any other saw then right !?!?? 😁

[@a0flj0]

Not bow saw. Bow saws are awful, useful only when you cut branches off trees. These are frame saws. I know some people don't make the distinction, but there's a huge difference in handling.

[@przybyla420]

That saw is awesome, and totally ingenious. But it won’t help you with perfectly fitting dovetails. It is for rougher work as the Master says, a relic from the days when dovetails weren’t a fancy thing and were cut all the time for everyday objects (because metal was expensive, labor cheap and the joint is strong).

[@przybyla420]

The reason it won’t help is because it can’t really make that impossible corner perfectly. You have to chisel. Two tricks for removing the waste between tails: 1) drill a hole down in the corner by your baseline for a coping saw (select a proper blade) to pass through. 2) make a few extra saw cuts with your back saw through this waste, so it can be chiseled out easier. If you have a bandsaw and it’s not too awkward to hold the work on the table, you can also hog away almost all of it that way.

[@spayced]

One benefit of the large rectangular size helps you visually square up the cut. It's easier to saw straight and plumb because the huge size makes it so obvious.

[@asoac]

Frank, what type of blade did you use to make the horizontal cuts?

[@cat5dookie1]

Thats a homemade coping saw. you can get the parts at gramercy tools

[@raftom4454]

Holy fucking shit.

[@anniiket]

Amazing! How do you sharpen your saws? Do you have a video for that? If not, it would certainly help us.

[@a0flj0]

These saws are in act quite easy to sharpen. I don't know the name of the tool, but there is a tool that makes it easy to bend teeth to the right angle. Other than that, you only need a triangular file. As far as I can tell, they were the precursor of the electric band saw. You can do most of what you can do with a band saw with them, only manually.

[@dougjones4987]

@@a0flj0 a saw set

[@a0flj0]

@@dougjones4987 Thanks.

[@raccoon6072]

I would not be surprised if he was the third+ generation of a woodworkersfamily (or a Tischlerfamilien?)

[@chrispokorney6801]

I GIVE UP !!!! 😆 🤣 😂