How to cut a DOVETAIL HOUSING JOINT by HAND

[@MattEstlea]

Like the workbench? Watch me make it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fImuiqqDZctojbc&t

[@bryanstellfox8521]

I've been watching your videos since the beginning, and YOU specifically have helped enable me to finally leave my day job and fully open my own woodworking business! I started woodworking like the typical American...with power tools. After a couple of years, I became proficient enough to have a side gig. Then, I realized how poor my craftsmanship was. I was proficient with standard power tools, but I needed to learn traditional hand tools to become something more!

[@colinellicott9737]

Awesome job! Love the plain talk about errors, kudos on being open and clear about that, so much more relatable than annoying perfection. Thx

[@Robin-tg4yr]

Love that you include the mistakes.

[@geezergeek1637]

Thanks for making this series. Teaching this "old dog" a few new tricks.

[@TheLastPharm]

Oh dear, 62 people must be offended by Jesus on a ballpoint pen. On a more serious note, I love the way you make things look perfectly simple and logical and easy while this must take hundreds if not thousands of hours of practice. Very nice work and narration.

[@craigsmith8076]

Awesome video mate and thanks for showing and explaining the mistakes. You are a fantastic teacher.

[@WoodByWright]

Sweet work man. love your Videos. if you ever want to do a collab let me know.

[@luisp8999]

YES PLEASE!!

[@MattEstlea]

It seems people want it to happen! I'm up for it!

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

I follow both of you and would love to see that!

[@davidfarmer2049]

did this happen?

[@hughatkins]

I'd really like to see such a collaboration too!!

[@mykhelderian]

Well, it's a bit comforting to know that you sometimes.make mistakes. After watching your other tut on cutting dovetails, (you know, the one where your dovetails mated perfectly and were astheticly beautiful) I went into the workshop and looked at some dovetails I had previously cut and began to cry. Seriously, Matt , I love your demeanor, your thoroughness and your the effort you put out in the pursuit of excellence. I think your are headed to be a master craftsman. Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing your considerable knowledge with us.

[@michaelhastrich7257]

Kind of new to woodworking and really want to practice all these types of joints. Any tips on what woods to use for practicing my joint skills?

[@johnc.4871]

I thought it kind of comical that you have a jesus pen and say god I need a new one. good luck with that request. lol

[@christophercastor6666]

It’s cool going back to see your work from so long ago, especially after hearing about your battles with mental health. You’re an incredible educator and a wonderful presenter; I especially like your honesty and willingness to discuss imperfections! Thank you Matt as always, -CY Castor

[@blhale1]

When making a depth adjustment with a router plane, once the locking clamp is tight, rotate the adjustment knob up (counter-clockwise) to remove the slack. This will prevent the blade from being pulled down while cutting.

[@patchedupdemon7104]

youd have thought hed have known that,i mean he has all the tools so must be an expert

[@SethDanielRiedel]

I normally do that too but sometimes we all forget in the excitement of something

[@margaret-annekent3247]

Totally brilliant! What took me so long to find a proper craftsman's video? Only one thing....please could you speak more slowly? Many thanks. Annie

[@zagrizena]

The Jesus pen had me confused for a moment there. Watching one of your videos before I wasn't really paying so much attention to the tools and I just assumed it was some kind of carpenter jargon for a really simple basic marking tool that can be traced back 2000 years. Kind of like a marking knife maybe? Only now I noticed it was an actual pen with literally Jesus figure on it, lol 😀

[@georgiesgirl64]

Great learning for us ladies out there. Cheers keep em coming

[@chriss4613]

Thank you for sharing your mistakes. Too many people shy away from showing that.

[@Subsonic-cd2en]

Great videos! For some reason, your mannerisms and style really remind me of Gordon Ramsey, lol - minus all the anger and yelling.

[@jmwing]

agreed - I noticed that too

[@paulrobinson5833]

yeah just as annoying!

[@gryshie100]

Matt. Is this kind of joint that could protect the table top when you do it at the bottom of table top? Protect for example of twisting when you glue UP together wide boards. If that is True do you have any advice for do it all acros the table top? Thanks and greatings 😊

[@myself9128]

Pointing out mistakes is helpful for the mere novice! Another great video, watching every one! Bought myself the Veritas Dovetail 14tpi this weekend thanks to your tool videos, what a beauty!

[@MattEstlea]

Nice! You’ll see that saw through many years of work. It’s very good considering the price!

[@jacobdiscipleofjesusforeve419]

Great info. Jesus loves you Matt

[@jchadwick7506]

FGS. I only bought the fine tooth saw, didn't I? Sigh. See you at the weekend...Your vids are costing me a fortune. :-)

[@BlackSwan912]

Wouldn’t a skew chisel avoid that bruise?

[@Jake65Kelly]

Matt. You are a breath of fresh air. Great targeted information delivered quickly and no tedious waffle! I am so impressed with your information and balanced cool style I am signing up as a Patreon supporter. Keep up the great work! Cheers from Australia.

[@rick91443]

Enjoyed watching and thanks...rr

[@1guitarlover]

Hey Matt, I am so sad that you had that tiny little home in the dove tail... :P. You are just a gifted carpenter. One thing. Please consider improving the light system, for the light above you provokes to many shadows on your working bench. Cheers!

[@DessieTots]

Matt I’m finding these videos very difficult to follow without getting a headache. “Bloody hell, what was that, what did he just say, play that bit of the video back again, etc”. Too many jump cuts in the editing, talking too fast, too much slapping and tapping things together, process not broken down enough and thinking out loud. Your style is becoming more and more manic and schizophrenic. Would you adopt a more relaxed and easier to watch presentation such as seen in Paul Sellers videos. I’d hate to invest in more basic tools only to find that I can’t use them anyway because I just cannot keep up with your demonstration.

[@drekowski]

Great video, I like your attention to detail, care and accuracy. I would consider using a chisel or knife to sever the fibres the saw couldn't reach instead of just breaking them out. The joint was stuck a bit earlier than where you marked it, due to the stopped portion of the dovetail; looking for shiny spots on the joint helps to locate tight portions as well. And finally, for such a short joint parallel works well, but if the parts get wider and the groove longer, it may be worth tapering the dovetail ever so slightly, in order to have the joint lock only in the last 1-2 inches. Keep it up!

[@rsdevarapalli]

Inspiring Good quality joint making skills, thanks for sharing.

[@JeanClaudePeeters]

Unable to make this joint... couldn't find a Jesus pen. Very disappointed. 😂

[@peterrschuck]

God, you all fast. With your accent, it is hard to understand and keep up. I'm Australian English is my first language too. Please, it isn't a race to see how fast you can finish. I don't get as much out of your videos as much as other English people who talk at a much gentler pace.

[@seanhollandcanada]

As a Buddhist, I would like to recommend that you get a Buddha pen.

[@rolandharrison5651]

Matt, could you please slow down. I have to keep going back 2 or 3 times ( or more ) for each step to catch what you are saying. This makes it difficult to put the whole process together. It takes such a long time to complete the whole video. You do a great job explaining.

[@JeepTherapy]

I think this is one of your best videos. You slowed it down a bit and showing your mistakes and how easy it really is to make a mistake in woodworking is by all rights honorable. Thank you.

[@tinycuisine6544]

I love what you do, but I feel you rush a little bit. Something like this trakes time to assimilate. Just some constructive criticism. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@Swarm509]

While I love doing hand work in my projects the housing joint really makes more sense with a router bit if you have many of them to cut out, rather then then chiseling. Still could do the dovetail part by hand though. Still a great joint to know how to do by hand, and satisfying once it all comes together.

[@diowk]

He doesn't have a combination square?! How is this possible?

[@lincolndickerson1293]

Curious could you have removed a thin bit of material from the shoulder of the darker wood to let it fall that minimal amount into the dovetail without sacrficing the tight fit of the joint much?

[@cerberus2881]

The Router is much cheaper and more effective than all those Overpriced hand tools, though it would be fun to do.

[@garyknight8616]

Great video Matt. The honesty, as others have already mentioned, is appreciated and very helpful. Appreciate you've got a lot going on but would like to see the lighting improved. If you are on Patreon I'm happy to chuck you a few quid every month to help out. Cheers, Gary

[@vosifle]

Best tutorials on KZbin! Thank you!

[@pgtips4240]

Still a really good joint considering you were going at rocket pace and doing a video.

[@janikumlander1822]

You should make a new mallet 😬

[@planespeaking]

Love these videos but electric router ftw on this.

[@wolfgang4468]

Great you do not hide anything, appreciate that.

[@ptcruiser2012]

"I am a right old cowboy like that". Brilliant description. Love the video. I know this is a bit old but I have been going back through your stuff.

[@jakelilevjen9766]

Please, oh please, buy some lights!

[@HansPeterSloot]

Why do you have to be offensive and use that pen?

[@anthonyclaypool6925]

Thanks for breaking down the method for final chopping and clean up. I split a chunk of the rear jaw for a Moxon vise I'm working on because I created "steps" by trying to cut the housing upright. 🤦 Mistakes are opportunities I guess...

[@radinsyah1574]

My veritas router has the same fault. Besides the weak locking system, the blade end can be too trigger happy too… allowing the bevel of the blade dig deeper into the stock and micro-tilting the base forwards.

[@frenstcht]

You _can_ crosscut with a rip saw. You could also sever that line with a chisel and a mallet, a K-BAR and a lead pipe, or a steak knife and some grit -- comma true. After 7 years in a mill shop, I gotta say that 90% of woodworking is knowing what's the right tool for the job. Or the right combination of tools; if you've ever had to match an antique moulding with a shaper and a random collection of router bits, you know what I'm talking about. Anybody who reads this and hasn't seen the vid on how to saw needs to go watch it, by the way. My sawing is several orders of magnitude better just from watching it and applying it. And that's without practice. Great stuff!

[@inxj5915]

I have the same Veritas router plane and found that if I have upward pressure on the blade anytime I’m adjusting the depth of cut, it avoids nasty surprises. One way to do this is to make sure the plane is sitting upright with its weight on the blade anytime the locking collar is loose.

[@Giich]

The fit is too damn tight even 1 shoulder splitted. I fall in that too when i got it too snug its really scary to fix that cause it can quickly become too loose which is even worse :)

[@richardmasters3571]

I think you should rise above all this talk of Jesus pens. After all, it's quite clear that what you need a Dennis the Menace pen! Yeah, yeah, I'm going.

[@timothyball3144]

Not trying to bust your chops or anything, but is there a crack on the dovetail opposite that bruise? If so, would that come from the edge being too tight?

[@danieloshannessy5595]

Love this video very helpful for my purpose even though I will opt for a through dovetail for my own project very interesting idea with the slide stop.

[@christophercastor6666]

Thank you Matt! It’s been a while since I originally watched this, but it’s always a great time to see you work

[@chm1701]

Shame that you were so disappointed about the result, Matt. Although, I do understand why, but thanks for the video and for showing us the mistakes and how to prevent them.

[@theYeti1000]

I love your tuts. They are very straight forward. But I won't ever be able to do them because I don't have a Jesus pen.

[@rjamsbury1]

Great instruction as ever Matt, thanks. Could that bruised bottom corner have happened from the offside of the chisel when skewing into the opposite corner?

[@akjkjkak]

That marking knife looks sweet. Where did you get it? It almost looks like one David Barron used to sell.

[@TheEveryMaker]

I have a project I'm currently working on where I need a dovetail housing joint and was originally going to do it with a router. The piece is too small and I didn't feel safe, so I may just have to sharpen my chisels and give it a try with hand tools! Thanks again for the video and I really appreciate you showing the mistakes, it helps make it feel less intimidating.

[@MattEstlea]

No worries mate! Best of luck with it!

[@Cynyr]

up next a stopped, tapered, dovetail housing joint for use on wider stock?

[@josephKEOarthur]

what is the mallet you are using? for the chisel?

[@jimmystoba7899]

Nice opportunity to make a video on how to fix the booboos you've made? 😉

[@lnesland]

Nice work. But why not just sand the sides, instead of using a chisel?

[@EquilibriaHealth]

Always love your videos and your honesty.

[@gizanked]

If I want to do this but I don't have a Jesus pen will it still work or is a deity pen required?

[@ianbeckett2427]

Plenty of other deities to choose from though... static.wixstatic.com/media/1de1f3410742f752894df086116bea2f.wix_mp_512

[@MattEstlea]

ooooo you may struggle a bit!

[@WoodByWright]

you really do need an affiliate link to that pen.

[@JeepTherapy]

Yes a deity pen is required. I recommend Ganesh... or how ever you spell it... god of removing obstacles... but in your case... wood. :D

[@mynameisciaran]

Matt, I love your videos. Very helpful and well made. However, I'm new to woodwork, I'm pretty bad at it and I realise now that this is because of my low-quality pens. The problem is, I'm kind of broke. Can I just write the word Jesus on one of my pencils?

[@dibley1973]

Amazing clear and detailed explanation, as per the norm with your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@QlueDuPlessis]

Just watched some similar from Wood by Wright

[@RamsesMCMLI]

During my bench days at pratical post-graduation times, my friend told me: Hey, perfect ist the worst enemy of good! I enjoyed evr'y bit of ur video Kudos mate!

[@acalek]

Can't thank you enough for your videos m8. Great to see someone elevate the quality of woodworking instructional videos, there is some serious production value on display. Also want to commend you for encouraging future wood workers by making these techniques accessible and more importantly, understandable to the masses.

[@jeffjensen4532]

Great video! Just started. I hope that some day my mistakes can be as small as yours...wood working mistakes that is...! :D You do fantastic work! Keep it up!...your work/videos that is... :D

[@MattEstlea]

Haha you should see the size of my mistakes outside of Woodworking! Cheers Jeff.

[@edelrabe]

Jesus pen, nice one)

[@dimitardobrev3296]

what are these things?

[@thomasarussellsr]

Oops and bruises happen. Still, all in all a great how to video. Thanks.

[@MattEstlea]

Cheers Thomas!

[@RubenGarcia-kc3op]

Duel between Jesus pen and Buddha's? Lol

[@Wheel333]

🙏❤️🙏

[@gregorylondos534]

I only wanna leave a comment for your workbench homemade or purchased...?

[@MattEstlea]

Visit my profile, it’s the first video at the top ;)

[@czokalapik]

Great video as usual, I never thought of starting chopping away from the edges to prevent undercuts to be visible, great tip!

[@johnmontgomery560]

Is there any work around on the Veritas router to get more accurate depth ?

[@rickgoebel6724]

17k subscribers minus the one down below. 20K by end of year?

[@MattEstlea]

Hahaha, bet its going to be 19,999! Nah I'm going for 25K Rick!

[@brianm.9451]

Awesome! This is a good reason to hone my hand sawing skills.

[@l1verm0m]

Great video Matt... your ‘warts and all’ approach is refreshing and helpful.

[@MattEstlea]

Cheers Mike!

[@arra4741]

Great! Thank you, waiting for next one!

[@HansHoffmeister]

Well done! Learned a lot

[@Deestainglass01]

what's up with Jesus pen. great video

[@MattEstlea]

My favourite pen, that is all!

[@martinbrace7195]

Awesome job Matt thanks.

[@totobill22]

Super vidéo, Thank's from France :)

[@logancarr5676]

Wood working Jon snow

[@genardusfaberus6514]

Great video. Thank you.

[@douglanglois456]

Just started watching your videos. Great content, great presentation. But I have to ask - what's with the Jesus pen? Earnest Christian, or irony? Not that either is right or wrong.

[@czokalapik]

I would guess neither, it's simply a Jesus pen :D

[@kennethodette1352]

It rubs a lot of people wrong . Kind of blasphemous. you should retire the pen unless you like pissing of Christians.

[@BlackSwan912]

Kenneth Odette Christians ... myth-believers. I’ve never met one that doesn’t prove to be a hypocrite.

[@danielallen2000]

very nice, keep it up!

[@okiterukagetsu]

mmm dovetails

[@LoveofChocolate18]

nice opening credit!

[@Тисо-щ4я]

famously made by Matt! sorry for my English

[@MattEstlea]

It will be living in the glass cabinet on the right hand side of the screen from now on!

[@Тисо-щ4я]

very interesting your videos!

[@MultiEsben]

What make Chisels are you using"

[@MattEstlea]

Lie-Nielsen!

[@charliegoransson12]

Subbed

[@NoCom.36]

Молодец, кудрявый!

[@MultiWarrior63]

Thanks Matt, great timing mate

[@MattEstlea]

Read your mind. Cheers Ken!

[@RBTrujillo1]

Outstanding video Sir!

[@MattEstlea]

Wooaahh please tell me you're the Robert Trujillo from Metallica?! ;) Cheers Robert!

[@RBTrujillo1]

Sir! No No No No! I am not the same Robert Trujillo you think of! I am a nobody, I am a common person that enjoys your videos Sir. The closest I come to any remote level of heavy metal is a cousin Randy Castillo who was a drummer who played with Ozzy and Motley Crue. So no, I am not the the Robert you think of, I'm sorry.