How to Cut Half-lap Dovetails with Hand Tools (Bill Anderson)

Bill Anderson teaches traditional joinery at Roy Underhill's Woodwright's School. Bill shows how to cut a through-dovetail variation to hide grooves when making dovetail boxes or chests...see the blog post here: woodandshop.co...
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[@oldguy537]

enjoyed watching, always like to learn, thanks again for taking the time to share ..

[@briarfox637]

I need help laying out a lapped dovetail to join a top rail to a leg. If the leg is 1.5", top rail is .75", aprons are .75"x5, I want to mortise and tenon the apron to the leg but how does it not get in the way of the lapped dovetail in the top? I'm assuming one cannot do a haunched mortise and tenon since the dovetail is on top

[@TheFirstborn290]

thank you so much I would like to say thank you again for sharing your craft. I am new at carpentry I have always wanted to get in to it just never had the time. My fiancées father had passed away last year he was cremated he was into carpentry as well so i figured why not make him something to rest in and your video has inspired me so much more thank you.

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

Always an enjoyment of knowledge, thanks for this technique.

[@WoodAndShop]

You're certainly welcome! Bill is a fountain of knowledge.

[@ChrisHedgesAedanWorks]

Great video! Was this technique unique to Bill or is a historical variation?

[@WoodAndShop]

Hi Chris, I'm pretty sure this is a historical method for cutting the half-lap dovetail joint. Thanks for watching, and I hope you've subscribed at my website!

[@ChrisHedgesAedanWorks]

Wood and Shop Just curious. I dovetail drawers all the time and can't think of any reason why one would totally enclose the drawer bottom. Unless, of course, that's what the person paying the bills wants!

[@WoodAndShop]

Chris Hedges Hi Chris, I think it would mostly be for boxes & chests. I don't really see a need to hide drawer bottoms either. Thanks for watching!

[@jameslucas6589]

Very nice video Mr. Anderson. Roy is lucky to have you. Tell me, who is watching the kids? I hope it’s not another case of grandparents raising grandkids. Been there, done that.

[@WoodAndShop]

Joshua Farnsworth here...Bill didn't upload this video. But Bill doesn't have children or grandchildren.

[@jameslucas6589]

Wood and Shop Okay, there must be a child care center in the back of the shop.

[@WoodAndShop]

Roy Underhill's school is in a storefront, so maybe you heard some kids on the sidewalk out front?

[@stumpy5353]

OMG the sliding bevel is set to the angle of erm cant remember but its one i like..... what can i say 1/7 is the usual but its up to you to try but please be a little bit informative otherwise not bad video 1/7 by the way get a peice of peper one side measure 1 inch from corner then on the side measure 7 inches down draw a line point to point and there you go

[@WoodAndShop]

Gshad, thanks for your comment. The angle isn't super important. Chris Schwarz (an authority on hand tool woodworking) did research and discovered that historically there wasn't really a common angle. If you want to stick to a certain angle, then fine. In my dovetail video series (look on my channel) you'll see how I create my own angle (learned from Roy Underhill). Certain ratios are probably a more modern development.

[@TheFirstborn290]

my ultimate goal with building this item is to only use hand tools.

[@AttackBunnies]

this is great! very useful, thanks!

[@TerrierBram]

Why not make the tails first, and adapt the groove to the tails?

[@WoodAndShop]

Hi Terrier, Thanks for your question! Here's a great article that Chris Schwarz wrote on that very question: www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/joinery/four-reasons-for-tails-first-dovetails

[@TerrierBram]

Wood and Shop Thanks!

[@pepeland22]

wooww very nıce tahnx

[@WoodAndShop]

You're certainly welcome. I hope you are subscribed at my blog!

[@illduitmyself]

the Creator would be proud

[@TheFirstborn290]

does he make them for the public to purchase?

[@WoodAndShop]

+Johnathan Prescott I think you can request one: peterrossblacksmith.com/ Here's more info on him and on making one yourself: www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/editors-blog/blacksmith-made-dividers-by-peter-ross kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2nOq4CKfbGHsM0

[@briancusworth]

I love that variation. Thanks for showing it.

[@WoodAndShop]

Brian Cusworth You're welcome Brian!

[@TheDerekeder]

Thanks Bill! Nice seeing you again!

[@WoodAndShop]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe at WoodAndShop.com.

[@luzmeza1]

Nice

[@TheFirstborn290]

whats the tool he is using at about 3:10

[@WoodAndShop]

+Johnathan Prescott Those are called "dividers" or "compass". These were made by blacksmith Peter Ross. Thanks for asking!