FINALLY- A better way to cut dovetails by hand! (Cosman's Tips and Tricks)

Rob Cosman’s website► robcosman.com/
Rob Cosman’s dovetailing video► • Dovetails, latest tip ...
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[@StumpyNubs]

PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING: I have no financial interest in Rob Cosman's website or tools. As I said, you can use any tools, and dismissing this video simply because you don't like the tools I use will cause you to miss some excellent dovetailing tips. Rob's tool are priced higher than some would like because many are made or modified by hand, and because he uses a great deal of the proceeds to support charitable causes. Rob has made videos showing how to use and modify your own tools. So please refrain from slandering him or me just because you think his saw is expensive

[@boxo1139]

Keep on doing what you do, very much enjoy everything you share.

[@coreygrua3271]

You say it like it truly is; a rare quality today. Thanks for the introduction to Rob Cosman and the good that he does.

[@roderickbutler7673]

I've been using Rob's method for some time, but the only tool I use that's the same is the fret saw and marking guage. I use Japanese pull saws with magnetic dovetail guides, Narex chisels, and a shoulder plane. As you said, the important technique is the offset and marking. Great video!

[@richtawney9877]

I hope that isn't what you thought I was doing....

[@ManCrafting]

Stumpy Nubs “They are too pricey” is code for “I’m too broke to afford it.”

[@Mayers5637]

Great video James. I have watched several of Rob Cosman’s videos and decided to purchase one of his fret saws. Several days after I ordered the saw I receive a phone call from Rob informing me he shipped my saw. We talked for a little bit and he is as nice as he appears on his videos. I am a veteran and I told him I appreciate what he does for veterans. I did meet you James at the Atlanta woodworking show and you were just as nice as you are on your videos. Thank you.

[@giusepperesponte8077]

Thanks for serving

[@carlson.douglas.w]

Stumpy You do a great job with your videos. Everything is clear as can be and well presented. As is your enthusiasm. And to anyone who questions Cosman tools and approach, let me tell you this.I'm a moderately skilled woodworker with about 10 years of experience and I could not cut a dovetail to save my life. Then I invested in RC's equipment and instruction. On my second attempt, I cut nearly perfect through dovetails in red oak. No gaps at all. With good equipment and good instruction, this joint turned from a mythical creation available only to highly skilled super Craftsmen to an entirely achievable joint that even a hack like me can turn out. Keep on doing what you're doing, sir.

[@adrianabshire]

I’m part of the Rob’s Bench Brigade - we build benches for the veterans that attend Rob’s classes - Rob is a great guy and teacher. Love all your videos - keep up the great work!

[@mmgross144]

I had the opportunity to act as Rob's assistant at a few classes that he held at the Woodcraft store at which I worked. My head almost wasn't big enough to contain all that I learned. Thanks for the refresher!

[@andrewbrimmer1797]

My comment is to say I admire the respect you show to other woodworkers it is very commendable. It is something all of you finer video makers share and kudos for sharing the wounded heart project

[@longshot789]

I've watched Rob's videos on this stuff, but I enjoy it being explained by someone else who has a lot more knowledge of woodworking than I do. It's just nice to see what you came out with, and what I should focus on. Thanks!

[@zeppy13131]

What a brilliant system. You gotta love someone who can see ways to improve on centuries-old tasks.

[@dsdragoon]

I'm a fan of Rob Cosman, Paul Seller, and Stumpy Nubs!

[@brucewelty7684]

Due to Stumpy's recommendation of Cosman I subscribed to his channel. BEHOLD! he made a controversial post about sharpening, all the while misquoting the the actual comment involved, then then CharlieSierra had the balls to disable comments on it. Unsubing a dingbat is to innocuous an activity.

[@brucewelty7684]

@coldrunner Quote which part is obscure and I will clarify. A problem w/ replies is that yt does not highlight exactly which irem you are referring to.

[@leonruvalcaba1549]

@coldrunner ?

[@alext9067]

@@brucewelty7684 Rob Cosman sucks!

[@peternewman9713]

Me too!

[@Dan10811]

I’ve watched this video a dozen times. I love your whole channel. I’ve been afraid to try dovetails, but I’m now making a plan to give it a go and follow your video step by step. Thank you so much for this and all you do.

[@markvogt9462]

Big fan of Rob Cosman, especially what he's doing for our veterans. Very informative and well edited video. Subscribed!

[@hassleoffa]

I went to Cosman's seminar at the Hamilton Woodworking Show ... it was outstanding. He answered questions afterwards. A very nice fellow.

[@danthechippie4439]

Hi, I think it’s fantastic that you took the time to make this video about Rob Cosman - his method and tools. I employ as many of his methods as my skills with allow and I own many of his tools. They are expensive especially when shipping to Ireland. His teachings and tools are the best money can buy. My hand made dovetail before were good but now I proudly show them off.

[@bottosrob]

This is the best dovetail tutorial I’ve ever watched. I’ve been watching dovetail videos for about 6 months now. This has the most useful ideas condensed into one video. Aside from some unusual creative tips that help occasionally, this is the one stop video to get started and get good with minimal wasted wood and time.

[@kalichicamacho4868]

I've been binge-watching your channel and I consider it like at least a technical degree in carpentry thanks for the knowledge I'm not done watching probably will see them twice. thank you and your crew for teaching me carpentry. wish you guys all the success in the world in all your ventures

[@michaelm077]

Great information Jame’s , it’s great to see the woodworking community support one another, what @RobCosman does for Veterans is very admirable, as a disabled vet myself (not combat wounded) I appreciate the acknowledgment from Rob and others in the woodworking community’s support for our brothers and sisters who served our respective nations. Thanks you for bringing our veterans to the forefront and all that you do on your channel. God bless.

[@inspectr1949]

James, spent a week with Rob a few years back learning from the master glad to see his techniques repeated through your talents.

[@watermain48]

Nice video James and good on you for giving props to Rob's PHP.

[@nicobogaard2315]

James, this is one of the times I regret that KZbin only grants one thumbs up! Great video, great effort and lots of respect for you and for Rob Cosman. Greeting from The Netherlands.

[@johnvanderhoof1248]

James thanks for the video. I've watched Rob's videos on cutting dovetails. I never quite got it. Watching this, I think everything becomes much more clearer... I support Rob online and have some of his tools. I think I may just get the DT saw. Thanks for a great tutorial; and thanks for spreading Rob's work and support of vets. I'm a DAV myself and appreciate the support we get from folks like you and Rob.

[@RichMcCabe]

Thanks Stumpy. Rob is a great guy. Been in his online classes for a couple years now.

[@jelmo1057]

Great video James, accurate descriptions of Robs tools and techniques. Rob has packaged his dovetailing tools into kits that gives you everything you need to get started, or you can purchase them individually. I own most all of these and they work great and are top quality. They also work for other traditional methods.

[@skippylippy547]

Excellent video James. Thank you. I'm sure Rob Cosman appreciates this as well.

[@toysoldier46552]

I'll stick with my pull saw for dovetails, already own the magnetic jig that works best with a pull saw.

[@glennkerr7266]

I'm so impressed. My respect for you just jumped a big notch. By bringing great content to your chanel, even from other channels, you make yours better for me. By crediting Rob, your earn my respect. By speaking the virtues of what Rob is doing, I respect you so much more. Thank you. Btw, I watch you both, every video. You added new things for me, that I didn't get/notice on Rob's videos.

[@ronnoftall1]

Excellent video! I’m a vet that was lucky enough to take Rob’s course. By the end of the first day I was cutting dovetails. The course was very well taught and a lot of fun. On the course are 6 veterans and 6 civilians.

[@Tiger2000Lion2005]

True class supporting another craftsman

[@Rich32262]

I was an incredibly lucky winner of a tool giveaway that Rob Cosman does regularly. I was trying to figure out dovetails at the time and getting no where fast. Once I received a dovetail saw, marking gauge, and marking knife (won them all in a dovetail package) I tried again. I think he said you'd have it by the 2nd or 3rd one. He wasn't kidding. Perfect dovetails from hacking at it with previous methods. BTW, if I'm not mistaken Robs purple heart charity gives free woodworking seminars to the wounded vets. I think they're about 5 days long. LIke you said, extremely generous. As usual, great video James!

[@richardkeirn866]

The saw was a game changer for me. It is worth every penny.

[@christophersines8238]

There is most certainly an eloquence to the way you speak and demonstrate your craft. Absolutely I admire your work. You remind me much of another you-tuber Essential Craftsmen, in your delivery of information.

[@WelshSwordsman]

I'm currently learning carpentry and the dovetail joint was the most difficult endeavour I had faced. This video has blown my mind and will definitely help me in the future. Thank you.

[@2shoestoo]

I appreciate all of your videos, knowledge and help. Every time I go to do something I have little experience in or a different way to do something I refer to your videos, thanks stubs

[@theothermarshal]

One of the coolest videos you've presented... and the marking knife is brilliant. Thanks again for practical solutions & methods for real projects!

[@henrysiegertsz8204]

Yep, I discovered this technique about a month ago, when a Rob Cosman video popped up on my recommended viewing list. Brilliant for beginners and old hands alike!

[@kenstewart687]

I want to thank you for your, videos and professional demeanor. You have grown over the years. Your responses are spot on to the soothsayers. Sometimes I think of my Grandfathers beliefs, “if we can’t say something nice about someone then don’t say anything at all”. You and Rob are my go to videos. Thank you.

[@LF12468]

What's a toothsayer?

[@Woodgate425]

Thanks James, another excellent video. I’m a great fan of Rob Cosman and have had the pleasure of meeting him.

[@ericmorrell806]

Rob Cosman is a master genius at his craft! Awesome video! Thanks.

[@andrewbrown8148]

Very nice explanation of (and tribute to) Rob Cosman's method~! I discovered his channel a few years ago and wished that I'd known about him much sooner. The man is the Yoda of Dovetails~! I have a few of his tools and love using them. Also his sharpening method has completely changed the amount of effort I put into getting great edges on my tools~! Again, wished that I'd discovered him earlier on. Thanks James for all the great content you produce~!

[@david25876]

All of Robs offerings are fantastic. He’s a hell of guy and a visit to his site is worth it.

[@tomjkelleher]

Great video... I already saw Rob's video... you did a great job highlighting the key points. Thank you!

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Glad you mention time and practice. To get going I make some random boxes and used dovetails in projects that don't really need them. Doing each operation accurately gives me excellent results. Having Bad Axe an hour away from me hurt my wallet pretty bad but I feel they're that good. I bought them to reward myself for making decent dovetails.

[@ernie5229]

Thank you so much! I watch Rob's video twice but didn't fully understand it until now!

[@keithrayeski3147]

great video and yea, the WOW factor took my breath away at the prices on Rob's page but, I understand too, quality is not cheap and in the long run, is worth the investment. Now....what I enjoyed the most...was the plug at the end for veterans and wounded veterans. Classy that is off the charts!!! You did not have to include that....that you did, is worthy of a salute! I'll give you TWO!!

[@hai99noi]

Good summary on Rob’s technique on dovetail cutting. I started to try cutting dovetails and have been watching Rob channel. Your video clears some of the areas that I missed. Thank you for sharing.

[@sethwarner2540]

This video stands out to me as the more significant of your collection!

[@rickhulsey2640]

Well done James, and thanks for giving the shout outs to Rob Cosman's other videos rather than repeating too much. Nice concise video with just the right amount of detail and references. I love what Rob Cosman is doing with his channel and the Purple Heart Foundation, and I've been following his channel for some time now. He's doing some great work (you too BTW).

[@FauxtakuLounge]

Okay, that offsets idea blew my mind. I've always re-measured. Very nice.

[@brainfornothing]

I watched a few Rob Cosman's videos years ago, but I didn't see this tips in that videos. Thanks for sharing !

[@aldix1578]

Well done. Nice to see great craftsmen supporting each other. 👍👏

[@emilkvicktube]

Again i say it, You are the best, greetings from the wood whistlers workshop in the philippines, teaching young men the passion of wood work.

[@prigs750]

James, another great video. Beyond being a dovetail genius, Rob is q great guy that I know and consider a friend. His PHP has helped numerous combat wounded vets and is supported only by Rob and outside donations. Our East TN Luthiers Guild built a guitar that we are currently doing a silent auction on, with all proceeds going to the PHP.

[@lujanjd]

Perfect timing, just when I was about to start the dove tail part of a project

[@gotchurebeacons-gaming9023]

Thank you! Saving this for a rewatch and will follow the links to learn more from the master himself. I’m below new when it comes to hand-tool woodworking if there is such a thing…but love the idea of a sawdust-free garage…so this is a great video to see!

[@gordroberts53]

Thanks for the insight and links to Rob's efforts. You rock!

[@EvilMonkey8366]

You bring me back to watching New Yankee Workshop with my Dad! Great explanation! I haven't done any dovetails myself yet but hope I can remember your video when I do!

[@frankcornfield5915]

Many thanks for this extremely helpful video and also for helping Rob with his generous work.

[@perrych2012]

Such a clear and well presented video and a very generous recognition of Rob Cosman's work. I wish I lived in the US - our tools are so expensive over here in the UK: a Dewalt 745 worksite saw is $675 (equivalent) in the UK!!!!

[@danielgeng2306]

Rob is a class act, and I’d say the same about you. Great video and I’m sure Rob will be flattered ~

[@kurzhaarguy]

Wow. I've watched at least 500 vids on dovetailing. And, my dad was a traditional cabinet-maker. This got my attention. You're very generous in both your knowledge and sharing others. Need more folks like you. Rob, I'm coming after your vids and tools right now.

[@stevehutson7261]

Super video, James. You and Rob Cosman are. by far, my favorite woodworkers. It's cool to see you discussing and recommending Rob's techniques. Now, if only one of you would have the other as a guest...

[@bodgerdavesumner]

James, This may be the best video of yours that I have ever watched. Excellent.

[@mycats7321]

Thank you for sharing this. You made it look so easy. One of my main issues is getting the saw at the correct angle when cutting so the tips were helpful.

[@pdilutis]

I learned so much watching this video. You are an excellent teacher. Thank you

[@waltsears]

Watched one of Rob’s video. The one I saw was over an hour. Glad your tips are available. Go Buck!

[@jeanine6492]

Thank you for these tips and techniques, I feel confident enough to try a dovetail joint now (until now I have shied away from even trying them for fear of it not being perfect).

[@gyorgyangelkottbocz9766]

watched about ten of your videos now. they're not good. they are by far the best most informative and pedagogical, well structured and produced on the subject. i'm laying in bed with a broken arm now but i'm sure when back to my shop my carpentry will improve thanks to you a hundred folds. THANKS and keep up the good work!!!

[@pgmreallaw]

Really great presentation. Dovetails are a challenge, but so rewarding!

[@Rage-of-War]

I love that you did this video!!! Love Rob and his work!!

[@geeser2010]

Thanks for this video James. I wasn't aware of Rob Cosmans method until I saw it here. I have to say that it's made a huge difference to the outcome of my projects.

[@vincepresto759]

Awesome, Great Tips and will use on a Toy Box that’s coming up in one of my Projects ! Thx’s for Sharing Stump !

[@gerarddelmonte4205]

Valuable info, thanks, James. And kudos to you for being unafraid to tout someone else's website.

[@fireofthegodsfitness138]

Awesome video - I have not watched my Cosman vids for a long time but this has whetted my appetite, thanks!

[@ElTurbinado]

I need to try this immediately I'm not even sure I can wait until the end of the video ahhhhhhhhhh!

[@rherman9085]

Another well produced video, great job! Thank you

[@andrewpinson1268]

I am a long time fan of both you and Rob's. I like his videos of dovetailing. You did a great job though of condensing and explaining parts of his methods. Both of you keep it up.

[@MuseaBear]

thank god for your channel. i love these tips that make my life easier.

[@rogerprice4075]

Best video I’ve seen for ages, so practical and new tips. Fine tuning a technique that I still find difficult so I’ve got some new ideas to help me. Thanks very much, and also for the link to a new innovator too.

[@StumpyNubs]

With a little practice this technique eliminates the need to fine tune the joint. They will fit right off the saw.

[@glencrandall7051]

Great tips James. I too follow Rob and totally agree with his methods. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.

[@emilkvicktube]

Thank you again, of all the instruction videos on youtube yours are the best, For me they are i really mean it.

[@dennisbeaver5958]

An excellent presentation and important shout-out to Rob Crosman!

[@rolandosalvania4273]

dont mind them bro just do your thing, sharing your knowledge to others. keep up the good work bro.

[@benjaminadair9548]

Great job. Rob is a true craftsman. Again great job

[@laurencelance586]

Great explanation! Clear, concise, and accurate.

[@dariushmilani6760]

As always very informative and enjoyable video. Thank you for sharing.

[@Hudson4426]

Love rob’s videos.. ive learned a ton from him.. and is devotion to vets is admirable

[@jbb5470]

Outstanding video Stumpy! Great detailed information, I might even give this a try. You have presented in a way where I think I might be able to actually make dove tails. I can see where practice will improve a persons abilities. Thanks again!

[@wintercook2]

This is really good. Both the info and the presentation. Thank you!

[@KentLawson-nn5ss]

You do a great job of explaining the how and why. Thanks!

[@therubbermeep7456]

the tip of using the wheel marking gauge is super helpful thanks !

[@constructionlife5059]

Thank you for taking your time to invite others that may not know Rob and you did awesome job explaining Robs technic!

[@charless.crawford981]

I love the way you explain things!!

[@jessetwidale6939]

I have only tried my hand at dovetails once, and it was not pretty but it worked. LOL. After watching this video (and following up with Rob's video), I will try my hand again at them! I won't be buying Rob's saw, but I will go buy a wheel marking gauge and a better saw for dovetails than what I currently have (Canadian Tire $10 backsaw). Thank you for making this video!!! I love your channel and check things out here regularly!

[@wadesaunders583]

I wanted to learn dovetails. watched rob's videos. Bought that marking knife, really nice, and a Katz Moses dovetail guide. Didn't take long to start getting nice looking joints. Not perfect but an excellent start without out tearing my hair out

[@chipcipolla5351]

Thank you for mentioning the Purple Heart Project.

[@stevejensen3471]

Great ideas on cutting the inside rabbet and on the offset marking with the marking gauge! Regarding the cutting angles for the tails, I've trimmed that down to one - straight up by moving the board so that the angled lines orient vertically - as it's alot easier cutting up and down. Also ala Chris Becksvoort - I also lightly tap the scribe line on the outside of the pin waste with a chisel and cut a small shoulder to keep that line crisp and horizontal.

[@heyimamaker]

Thanks for sharing James, I have enjoyed your videos and Rob Cosmans for some time now. But I still haven't tried cutting any dovetails... This summer for sure!

[@Erth]

🎉 thanks for the solid and straightforward explanation!!

[@billdodson207]

Incredibly helpful video. Thank you.

[@ZoltanGyulai1965]

Super easy to follow as always. Thank you!

[@PBS-nm1uu]

love all your videos, keep them coming

[@craigchingren-hamann9700]

Jonathan Katz-Moses has some great tips too and a wonderful guide tool. You had some great tips here Stumpy! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@eugenelayhue1932]

Hi James few years ago I got Rob cosman phone number off of the back of one of his videos. We talked for about 45min was a pretty interesting conversation didn't know him and his wife have ten kids wow. I bought directly from him one of his dovetail saws and glad I did because it has become my favorite for cutting dovetails. But for starting the kerf I use a kerf starter from Glen Drake tools which actually may help you to cut vertical. Also after cutting out bulk of the waste before any chiseling I cut the marking gauge line in deeper with a sharp utility knife. Then I will use the chisel horizontal to make a small rabbet before actually chiseling.