How to Cut Dovetails by Hand - Updated (2022)

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Check out Rob's Hand Cut Dovetail Playlist here:kzbin.info/aero/PLqUOljnY0d9e0pMDPQ4B-pDO36Ad_CysT

[@chrisorcutt7619]

Rob is it ok to restore an older saw for sawing dovetails

[@Haydt456]

I love that you’re always iterating on methods. As woodworkers our enemy should be “I’ve always done it this way”

[@kenstevison4801]

Rob, I want to thank you for the time that you put into all of your videos, as an evolving woodworker they are my go to. I'm very proficient with using the Porter Cable OmniJig for batching out multiple dovetail drawers but have had a terrible time with consistent hand cut dovetails to the point where I gave up. When I need to make 1 or 2 drawers for a custom furniture piece the OmniJig is not very efficient due to the set up time and does not have the hand cut look that I'd love them to have. Your 2020 & 2022 dovetail videos (multiple views) put me on track to master this joint, night and day difference after 4 attempts. I ordered several of your tools and can't wait to get my hands on them. My dad was an Army Ranger, Silver & Bronze Stars with 3 Purple Hearts and was a master furniture maker, he could make flawless dovetails which drove me crazy! I truly appreciate your commitment to both of our nations wounded vets and I gladly donated to the cause, god bless you sir.

[@colinchesbrough5772]

I've created some of my finest work in the last few years because of your tutelage, especially your drawer making series during the pandemic. Thank you, Rob. Your teaching is invaluable

[@sfguy7943]

Thanks for another great video Rob. I have watched all of your videos and have become proficient at cutting dovetails with your guidance. I made my own offset block from a piece of hard maple, and had the size dialed in after a couple of tests. I had a difficult time getting consistent results using a Japanese saw, but then I bought your dovetail saw and the difference was night and day. So much easier to get clean, straight cuts. I think it’s awesome that you have built a profitable business doing what you love while helping so many of us, in particular the veterans in the Purple Heart project. All the best to you and your family.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Yes I have been lucky but it was 15 years of hard work before things took off. Send us a pic of your dovetails

[@lor191ric]

Thanks Rob I used your system back when I cut my first half blind and through dovetail and was amazed at the result and couldn't wait to show someone. After hearing your 70/30 comment and given the tools I have to work with, not being in a position to afford yours I'm even more proud of myself. Thanks again

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Great Job. Send us some pics

[@1deerndingo]

I've followed your advice and it works well. I've added to it by placing a mirror on the other side of the job so I can easily see where the saw cut finishes on the far side.

[@johnchristensen8537]

That is an awesome idea👍

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Great idea

[@nmfam]

I comment bc i want the algorithms to love you. Salute to you and continued success

[@davidpisarski5620]

Using your techniques have elevated my dove tail work. I now use then on all my drawers and boxes! it is amazing how much more precise my projects are now. Thanks for the excellent training.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Great to hear. Please submit some pics to our customer gallery

[@MichaelEGordon]

Hey Rob, Michael from Toronto, we met at the woodworking show here in 2020 right before covid. Glad to see you're using the tape method for registering the tail board onto the pinboard!

[@dirkroggeveen5764]

Rob didn't notice, but I did, smart thinking Michael, thanks.

[@laurencelance586]

About two months ago I taught this exact method to two complete novices. One, a very bright software engineer, chose to ignore the technique and had a very poor result and an only partially finished joint. Her partner, a complete novice to hand tools, finished a very resectable dovetail. The bottom line? This works!!

[@FUNKINETIK]

Discovered you after watching someone on TikTok making a video about cutting a dovetail joint to beat your time to make one. Because they had ‘bigged them self up’ so much about completing the task in under 3 minutes I felt it my duty (as a carpenter/joiner) to contact you to say I’m convinced that they had misled the viewers. I won’t go into detail here as to my reasons why I came to the conclusion that they had cheated. The video is edited, I have requested that they show the unedited version. Anyway nice to see your work. My school woodwork teacher showed the class one of his ‘party tricks’ of cutting a twin dovetail in under 2 minutes in the first lesson, this was 45+ years ago : )

[@arlie505]

innovation and creativity is the lifeblood of the pursuit of perfection !

[@thewoodlesworkshop.157]

Dear Rob. How many times I will watch how you make a dovetail connection - so many times I will be surprised ... :) Thank you very much!

[@n8sot]

Wow!!!!! Awesome!!!!!! I wish I could be half this good!!!!! Thanks for all you do Rob!!!! Keep me striving for better!!!!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Keep practicing and you will be

[@n8sot]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Thanks Rob!!!!!

[@matthewroszkowski4674]

Bravo on the technique and Bravo for giving Shawn a royalty!

[@dave_ecclectic]

While rewatching your 2020 instruction vid I was thinking of using double faced tape with your 6" ruler method (that eliminates the need for a skew plane) I think this may still be a "better" method than the multiple layers of tape. You can stick it on using the board as a register. Or make a gauge that is the thickness of your wood with a little step or ledge for a hook. I also saw a possible improvement for your spatula. I'm going to have my brother 3d print me a hollow spatula with a bottle screw top so the spatula (with your small or smaller bottle attached) can be self-applying. In reality I see a short hollow spatula replacing the normal nozzle on a small bottle. I look forward to your 2024 improvements. 😀

[@rabbitholejunkies]

Thank you for this! I have been trying to acquire a new skew plane for some time now and the price kept from getting one. I have an old Stanley 78 but it isn't the same. The tape trick will do it for sure. I have a mill so I think I can make that block too, seems way easier than using the marking gauge. I struggled to line things up with that method. You are a great teacher.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

The tape method works great, no need for a skew block

[@alanmckeown6462]

Very well done Rob. Amazing how dovetailing has become easier with your techniques and tools

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Glad they are helpful

[@frankschlehofer6517]

Such confidence. Unless Rob cut it out, he didn’t even do a dry fit but went straight to glue.

[@cnew4682]

From Silverton, Oregon. I big THANK YOU Rob.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thank you for watching

[@patmason7276]

Yea having to learn the methods . Just getting into more advanced wood working since retirement. Great video!!!

[@woodturningguru8857]

Thanks for the online lesson I have your dove tail saw and 51/2 plane to my arsenal. And so glad to have them you and your family stays safe and take care all the best from Liverpool. Y.N.W.A. Paul.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks for supporting us. Stay safe

[@jaschatz1]

great tape technique! Using cosman shim with his saw tooth marking knife and a Lie Nielson (.026 kerf) dovetail saw, got good results putting one layer of blue painters tape on 26 thousandth side of shim

[@garyblake3130]

Super dovetails Rob, I like that you keep the waste attached to the tails whilst marking out, I have never understood why people remove that part and then mark for the pins.I generally use my vintage Roberts & Lee dovetail saw to cut mine, I think if I was 20 years younger (if only) I would definitely have purchased one of yours as they look great.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Our saws make you feel 20 years younger !!!!!

[@MegaDanaden]

Keep learning from You from the otherside of the world,, bravo Sirr... Regards!!!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

What part of the world?

[@MegaDanaden]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking I 'm from Indonesia Sir,, not much western hand tool here, i tried to mix with japanese tools for my litte workshop here,

[@kentboys5017]

Great video as always. Updating and improving your technique is what makes you such a great teacher. You are always willing to change if it is the best technique. The result as you say is all that matters. Thanks for sharing. Take care.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

👍

[@raymondvillain]

When you cleaned up the dovetails with a chisel, how was it (the chisel) sharpened? It appeared to me to be a mortise chisel, but was it sharpened at 20 degrees, 25 degrees, ? Thanks for the video!

[@fbiiburton]

Wowzer what a fantastic channel. Love you us guys your bloody talented

[@VertexCarver]

I encountered what's apparently a very old way to align tail to the pinboards. In Aldern A. watson illustration they used to clamp the pin-board together with a backing board in the vise. You could keep the backboard face low & ever so slightly offset as to make the tails stick out a little. Then mark the pins with your marking knife. After watching Cosman's version It struck me as very similar. ^^

[@ronhau1542]

I would give my right arm if I could take one of your classes!

[@mikebruins466]

Great video as always. Can you offer any pointers/comments on your coping saw technique to remove the waste? I have tried se real saws and find the very difficult to control. Can't seem to match your "flick o the wrist" that you do so smoothly.

[@1striperon]

Wow! Just wow!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Wow back at you!!!!

[@davidcampbell2845]

Superb demonstration. Thanks!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@AP12248]

You introduced the tape trick on your favorite gadgets for 2021. You gave credit to Mr.Anthony. Nice trick!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks for the assist. I knew somebody would remember

[@ndothan]

I really need to get one of the offsets. Thats probably one of the best ideas I've seen

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

They are great

[@jaschatz1]

Is it better to set offset to thickness of dovetail saw or your saw tooth marking knife. I am using the Lie Nielsen saw with your marking knife? Thanks

[@couz10]

Thanks Rob!

[@ScottBarrett-r6o]

What hand tools do I need to start dovetail boxes??

[@z4zuse]

4:50 you could use that to determine your actual kerf, including the saw set

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

Never gets old watching Rob cut a dovetail joint. I hate when Rob cuts the video and say watch his other videos, it scares the crap out of me!🤣

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Dont be scared!!

[@scottnolte7077]

Hi Rob, Just found and subscribed to you channel, fantastic and thank you. i am not able to afford your dovetail saw but was in hopes that you could recommend a saw that would give me a quality cut at a more moderate cost. Thank you kindly. Scott

[@ralphpezda6523]

Mr. Cosman, I have some questions: 1. what is the skew angle (not the grind angle) on the IBC skew chisels you list? 2. What are the grinding specs/tolerances on the IBC bench chisels you list? Are they with .001+ plus/minus or 0005 plus /minus, etc? 3. Do the chisels need any work right out of the box? I saw some Sorby's recently still in the packaging that had very roughly ground edge lines. The need a regrind. By hand on a 220 grit stone would take at least a few hours, maybe more. I expect to do a final light hone or strop. Thanks in advance for your response.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Ralph….we don’t have any “IBC skew chisel”, are you referring to our half-blind chisels? What specifically do you mean by “grinding tolerances”? If you are referring to our prep service and how close to 90 degrees we get the sides, you will find all of that explained in the “full description” tab of the plane you are looking at

[@ralphpezda6523]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Thanks. I found it. By skew chisels I meant those with a one side angled cutting end like the Lie-Nielsen skew plane blade. I found those chisels in pairs (right skew / left skew) at IBC and confused them with your site. Sorry about that. Your half blind dovetail chisels appear to be an improvement--- one tool, both angles. Whenever I find a specialty tool the first things I think of are what else could it be used for and what are its' limits.

[@wjjpearson]

I have your dovetail saw but if you can persuade classic hand tools to stock your Shawn shim I’d be pleased to buy one! Looks like it works a treat.

[@canuslupis3343]

They already stock it

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Check again, they carry the Shawn Shim

[@og6937]

This is a fantastic variation! Can you tell me where I can buy the little cube. Or, what I have to look for?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

The Shawn shim, named after the inventor, combat wounded Veteran Shawn McDermot. On our site, robCosman.com

[@dale1956ties]

I may be mistaken but I think you mentioned the person who came up with the automotive tape idea by name in a previous video. Did you try going back to approximately where in time you started using it and see if it's not in a video from that time frame?

[@bigkiv47]

He is an Aussie but his name escapes me.

[@bigkiv47]

Derek Cohen, Aussie of course lol, is the mans name that came up with the tape for marking the tail depth to the pin board rather than the skew block plane. I first saw his idea on a chat room blog a few years back. I use it and it is a easy and repeatable way to do the job.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks for reminding me. I will write it down now

[@roman_le]

Thank you so much! I will definitely try to make a similar shim, but the wood one.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Let me know how it turns out

[@roman_le]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Made it from the white maple. Results are not impressive, probably I have to practice more. Also, my boards is quite thin - only 9 mm, so it is less tolerant to discrepancy...

[@ironmantooltime]

Beautiful 👌

[@nathansilverburg3279]

I noticed you were using a different plane iron than normal? Is this a new company you are working with? Or perhaps a future partnership? Thanks again for all you do for woodworkers and veterans

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

we are testing a new blade to see if we like it

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Watching again

[@davidmaltby2065]

Hi Rob, I live in Australia. Are we able to buy tools in Australia? If yes, can you share your distributor please

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Direct sales only. No distributors down under. About 10% of our total worldwide sales go to Aussie land!

[@davidmaltby2065]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking thanks for the reply. How do you calculate the freight cost? I assume I order from your website?

[@yasarmevlutoglu776]

Роб Косман , Друг ласточек 👍👍👍🇹🇷

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

👍

[@lonnyharris6464]

What plainer are you using?

[@binglebongle8601]

Wood river 5 1/2

[@TomTrees]

That would be Derek who suggested so.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks for the assist

[@triangle379]

do you ship to india?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

We do.

[@dale1956ties]

I think you should grow out the goatee too. We'll call it the Charlesworth groomer trick. 🙂

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Excellent idea

[@en510]

How are you liking having a stainless steel blade in your plane?

[@parall4x]

what does “2 thou set per side” mean”? if your blade is .020” why .024”

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

The teeth are bent, in alternating directions, by .002” away from the blade. This creates the saws’ “set” which in turn creates the Kerf in the board. Without set you would only be creating a Kerf the same width as the blade, .020” in this case, and that would result in binding in the Kerf.

[@J.A.Smith2397]

I said that before you even mentioned the shim, just after you referenced your past video,I hope one of those different widths fit lie Nielsen 😂😂😂

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

yes they do

[@danthechippie4439]

Saw blade

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Yup ...should have said "Saw plate"

[@PresterAdams]

your measurements of pins and tails is kind of random. in germany cabinet makers learn a specific ratio to use, since in the beginning this connection was actually not used for aesthetics but robustness. looks kind of silly to me with the tiny pins

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

As I teach, with today’s modern glues the glue is stronger than the wood so the mechanical advantage of the joint really no longer is used. At that point the size of the pins is mostly about looks. I prefer pins less than 3/16 of an inch as a router can cut that small and I want a pin that clearly could only have been done my hand

[@DanielGarciaAu]

Looks easy. All you need to do is cut straight 😂

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

Mr Cosman, I think there is an easier way to use your shim. Always leave the big end on top, and place it to either side of the board, but always cut bwteen the shim and tail. There way, there is no need to remember left or right shift. The boards need to be the same width.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Any width variation would be bad, hence why I always using the same side.

[@fa256b7]

👍👍👍👍

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

👍

[@АлександрЧумак-м2о]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

👍

[@TomDanaher]

Great video. You still need a haircut...

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

It still has room to grow

[@johnchristensen8537]

Dittos on all comments so far, but lose the cap while videoing. It adds a shadow and hides your face.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Therefore I look better or worse

[@J.A.Smith2397]

I'm so saying you should make Shawn shims for lie Nielsen and maybe another big maker... Could make a million bucks 😂 least my money

[@MikoMcBrain]

Did you see they have a 3/4 Shawn Shim for thinner kerfs now?

[@kentboys5017]

I own both sizes of shims.

[@kentboys5017]

Great video as always. Updating and improving your technique is what makes you such a great teacher. You are always willing to change if it is the best technique. The result as you say is all that matters. Thanks for sharing. Take care.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks for watching and commenting