How to make a Dovetail Joint - The Three Joints - | Paul Sellers

[@psiclops521]

So after mangling my first dovetail joined drawer pretty badly (it works, I mounted it today), I watched this video most of the way through last night, went into the shop after work today and slowed myself way down and tried to do a joint for my second such drawer following Mr Sellers's advice. It came out much better. Took me two and a half hours to make the first joint and it is not even close to what Mr Sellers does in this video, but it's a lot closer to a decent joint. I advise others to do the same to learn the craft: follow his technique advice and slow way down. I figure that, when I have cut a couple of dozen of these, I should be able to do a reasonable job of it and a little quicker. Not up the standard of this gentleman, clearly, but enough so that I won't be looking for ways to bury the work where nobody will ever see it.

[@fg3136]

I consider doing a half decent joint after his video an achivement. Mr Sellers passed us 50+ years of experience in less than an hours, and the results show it.

[@psiclops521]

@@fg3136 My standard for half decent may also be a bit low. LOL.

[@Waltorian]

Im 52 and just started learning how to do dovetails, I find it to be so relaxing when I get home from work to go into my little shop and work on the things that I learn from your videos. I cant thank you enough, your no rush accuracy and precision is just what I strive for. Thanks again

[@adelker4884]

As a child, I saw my father make dovetails like that __about 60 years ago in Egypt. He called those joints عاشق ومعشوق( 'ashe' we ma'shou')--literally "a lover and his beloved😊😀". That's the name they're known by--not his wild imagination😀.May he rest in peace.

[@ronaldchong]

+Adel Keryakos: isn't that what you'd call a mortise and tenon joint? 😉 kidding aside, that's a nice story and memory of your father. thanks for sharing.

[@GARRY3754]

Good to hear of woodworking in Middle East. Sam Malouf, wood magician is from Lebanon. Inspiring woodworker great, who was also a WW2 vet.

[@adelker4884]

@@ronaldchong Thank you, Ronald, for your kind response. As for the possible mixup, you're most probably right..😅😃😉 It was so long ago. My memory might have failed me. Not quite sure though 😄😁😅

[@adelker4884]

@@GARRY3754 Thanks garry for mentioning that 🙂. Maalouf is certainly a great master, a woodworking magician indeed. There was a documentary about him on PBS a few years ago. Simply fascinating!

[@txjack1787]

A lover and his beloved. A poetic namesake for pins and tails. Thanks for sharing that.

[@Ilovefajitas]

Paul, I know this is one of your older videos now, but I just wanted to take the time to thank you for making this and all your videos really. My Dad was a dovetail master, but sadly passed before I managed to glean the knowledge from him. Today I spent a couple of hours with his tools and your video, and knocked out a terrible example of a joint, but one I'm proud of all the same! Thank you again. Keep up the amazing work.

[@rob_m]

That’s a nice story pal, I bet your dad would have been proud of you.

[@groverbriggs7344]

I have a two-stroke disability. I am a very slow learner now. However over the past two and a half years I have enjoyed making simple tools and projects. It’s been great having the opportunity to repeatedly view Paul’s videos. They give me encouragement to continue building my woodworking skills.

[@luisp8999]

And Paul keeps using rulers and sliding bevels when we all know he doesn't need them. Every time he double checks he is spot on! He uses all these measurements and marking devices only so we can understand what he is doing. Amazing!

[@fg3136]

I made my first dovetails today thanks to you. Its easy to find people who know a lot about a craft, its hard to find someone that knows a lot and knows how to pass knowledge, and its even harder to find someone that can do that with humbleness and enjoyment. Your videos are a treasure, thank you for your hard work and for teaching people all arround the world. With love from Argentina.

[@briandickens3528]

Absolutely amazing. People are rarely great craftsmen AND great teachers. Paul is clearly both. I don't know if the camera work is being done by a son or a brother, but it is extremely skilled as well. Excellent lighting, excellent videography. The total package is so good that editing must have been a breeze! The videos are captivating and addictive--just an absolute gift!

[@taos55]

My soul gets filled with something I can't really explain watching this Master of Masters explaining his trade in such a soothing way with only his bare hands and simple tools. A first class teacher, so accurate, he makes it look so easy.

[@Leodis.Leather]

I attempted this for the first time ever today, Paul's making it look easy which I think is the highest compliment you can pay any craftsman!

[@brottarnacke]

You're pretty good yourself at making things look easy!

[@kallewirsch4187]

Ian, your videos made me a pretty good leatherworker. I just finished my second pair of boots after a variety of bags, sheaths, wallets and so on. You really are a great teacher as well!

[@offdutyagain]

Paul is a master craftsman and a wonderful teacher. Not only does he show the correct way to cut a dovetail, his slow, trim here, trim there approach makes it more of an art form than joinery. I came for his series on chisels and stayed for this. I would love to be able to spend a week in his shop just observing.

[@dougscott9524]

Been furniture builder & repair for 36 years and had to learn to hand-cut dove tails, so I've been watching your videos, I have a 1800s desk come to my shop missing some drawers and other things. Keep up the training. Grand Rapids, MI

[@dennisferrer8178]

Am I the only one that thinks these videos are pretty relaxing to watch? :')

[@CmdrGendoIkari]

lol I like Paul's tutorials, but his voice is so soft & gentle it made me fall asleep while watching this video last evening. However, it was a long day on top of too few hours of sleep. ;-D

[@arthurdreiling4656]

CmdrGendoIkari 8

[@deandavey180]

Asmr feelings😁

[@SAWI555]

Fell asleep 3 times

[@drbeogll007]

I love watching Paul’s woodworking tutorials and so does my 5year old granddaughter,we sit together in our overalls as Paul demonstrates different techniques. Anytime I go down to the cellar she will ask if I’m doing woodworking

[@deezidzo4611]

I'm not a woodworker, but somehow youtube seems to have picked up on my love for joints and recommended this to me

[@robertplank6284]

Finally a good video on dovetails that isn't filled with confusion and supposed tricks!

[@bigdawgfan72]

Beautiful work, you're the Bob Ross of woodworking - making everything look so easy!

[@TerenceHart1]

Clear, concise, precise; no waffle, dribble or bull. Thank you Paul. Very inspirational.

[@d1want34]

+Terry Hart word!

[@woodscholar6705]

+Terry Hart At 22.14 There is no shading of waste which is fundamental to basic woodworking and the use of the chisel in thtroughout this video is not standard traditional practice and far too time consuming. You never cut along the grain - an amateur watching this would likely split the wood especially when a mallet is used. And you NEVER cut straight on the shoulder line but work progressively towards the shoulder line to avoid the wedge of the chisel edge cutting beyond the line. This is elementary woodworking practice being ignored!

[@xaviergarcia2301]

@@woodscholar6705 Yeah,he doesn't have any idea what he's doing,that migth be the reason why your channel has way more subscribers than this one.

[@toddsanford7757]

I've watched so many videos on youtube on Dove Tails. This is the one that spoke to me the most. Took me to a whole new level of accuracy. I'm not seeing any gaps anymore. If i had not previously tried on my own, I may not have notice some of the golden nuggets you gave us. Your chisel work is awesome. The way you forecast the next step of cutting or chiseling is really key for me. I can't really explain how much this helped me. lol but i promise i did notice most of the subtle techniques that you shared and Thank - you so much.

[@whimsicalannie2]

I promised my son I'd make some drawers to fit inside the under-stairs cupboard that I built. What I didn't tell him is that it might be 2024 and quite a lot of timber later before the first one is ready. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience. It's also so reassuring to find someone who explains things so well, using only hand tools. The number of times I've clicked on a video, only to find that if I were to follow along, I'd need a bigger workshop and a whole array of power tools and machinery. I'm a simple girl not wanting anything that's overly complicated

[@lesliebest1248]

Paul Sellers has a range of videos on youtube showing woodworking techniques by hand. Everyone is a masterclass.

[@jasongordon9811]

thanks for showing the process of fitting the dove tails as you did. many instructors show cutting perfect joint that fits the first time. for many of us that just doesn't happen often. showing the process of fitting the dove tails will be extremely helpful

[@TheJuliadesigns]

I also decided to learn to cut dovetails a couple of years ago at 57. I enjoy making them and greatly admire furniture that is made with them. Thanks Paul...

[@AlonsoRules]

What I love about this man is that there is not a power tool in sight. No sawbench, no radial arm saw, no router table. All done by hand.

[@hypnolobster]

While this is true, like a lot of handtool woodworkers, he still uses a bandsaw. He has a gigantic bandsaw just out of frame to his right. (but yeah, he kicks ass and I watch all his videos because he's just got a ridiculous amount of talent)

[@kurasoe]

Paul differentiates between power tools and machines. Power tools are tools which use power rather than hand tools but which the owner still must guide to properly use. Machine are quite the opposite. The band saw, lathe and power drill/driver are all I've ever seen him use. However when he builds workbenches or prepares stock in bulk (like for a class with several students), for time he would use machines. I would not depict him as "anti" machine in the sense that they have no place whatsoever, but given the vast majority use them exclusively, he does have that reputation. Of course the hand tool is supreme. :)

[@AlonsoRules]

Benjamin Fisher I think hand tools seem to end up with a better result than power tools - plus its more fun! One can create a tenon in under a minute with a radial arm saw but spend 10 times as long using a chisel and hacksaw and get more enjoyment from it.

[@kurasoe]

Agreed. Once you consider health and safety, it's even more provocative and actually faster unless you're making a dozen of something (industrial setting).

[@AlonsoRules]

Benjamin Fisher It seems to make a much cleaner cut, because you can position the saw in whatever way you want. With power tools, its one movement. Good for large projects like doors, cupboards, large tables. Not so good for fine stuff like that clock from earlier. Plus hand tools seem to create a lot less dust.

[@TrixyLixyStix]

I came in looking for how to router a slot in wood to take a UK size plywood sheet. But I have just spent 30 minutes watching a man make art with nothing more tech than a sharp pencil and 30 years of experience. What a joy. Thank you.

[@vincentchoraszewski9645]

its always better when a master shows you how to make it the right way. my name is Vince Choraszewski, from Livonia, Michigan. THANKS PAUL.

[@yorkshirepudd7532]

You can see why Mr sellers is world class no flashy stuff. I bet he could make quality furniture with a pen knife and a brick

[@KVW99]

What a joy it would be to be apprenticed to this master. He is not only a skilled craftsman, but he is an excellent (and apparently) willing teacher.

[@JulesHancockShow]

How you feeling now?

[@alexcameron5254]

You’re the most humble and exceptional woodworker on KZbin. If you wrote a book I would buy it in a heart beat

[@nortrap]

I'm fascinated that there are 57 people in the world that dislike this, I just cant understand how they think.... Great work Paul, Regards from Norway.

[@rhodevans6523]

When Paul shows the finished joint at the end - perfection! I'm in awe of this man's skills.

[@scd6969]

I've watched many videos on making dovetails, and I am so surprised at how much was missing in those videos after watching this video. I'm enlightened to see what sets a master like Paul apart from the rest. WOW! I'm glad I did not fast forward. You are absolutely right about watching every move. Those little steps done along the way that makes all the difference. It really did take a master to teach me right way. The dovetail here about as precise as I've ever seen. I am thankful have these videos to learn from. Thank you!

[@NigelTolley]

Agreed. I looked this up after seeing a KZbin short of one being hammered out in 60 seconds! Impossible to follow. Now, I know what to do.

[@laineywright2696]

I've seen woodworkers before but never one with the skill level equal to Paul Sellers. Great artisan, very inspirational.

[@pjculbertson55]

I have cut a substantial number of dovetails but I saw little techniques here I never heard before or read in my books. That is the difference in a master craftsman and a self-taught amateur like me.

[@dfoolonthehill]

Woodwork has always attracted me. Watching how laborious it is to make a dove tail joint takes my breath away.

[@LikelyToBeEatenByAGrue]

I love how he really wants to present in metric but the imperial keeps shining through.

[@timothy5974]

Hello, Mr. Sellers, You take me back to my High School Wood shop days 35 years ago! I have stumbled on your site over the past few weeks while learning basic Cigar Box Guitar making. I now would love to start making easy starter wood working projects. The chisel maintenance scares me ! you put a smile on my face after every video I watch. Thank You

[@mr.preece8137]

I have elmers glue, a serrated butter knife, and a crayon...I'm going for it

[@Jesnka]

Mr. Preece if

[@TheReck12]

Tbh pretty much same

[@Murdock47]

Brilliant.

[@chopsddy3]

I have a piece of chert, a bit of raw hide and a stick. Probably take a while.

[@katzwhite5962]

Mr Premier How did it turn out??

[@fraforgt-350r2]

This was the best tutorial I found on KZbin for dovetails. No nonsense waffling, no silly techniques, no special tools required, all the tips and tricks needed. Already found out what I needed to know within a few minutes

[@sqaure4175]

My dad apprenticed with you a long time ago, it feels great to learn from you as well. Cheers.

[@garymundy4398]

I've been a leather worker for the past 25 years. I started watching Paul Sellers videos a couple of years ago. I had a couple of old planes in a box for over 30 years and had never been able to get a shaving. Over the past 2 years I've watched many videos. After closing my leather shop recently I plan on getting into tradtional woodworking more and more. Paul's videos have been so much fun and very helpful in my projects. I will likely never be a very proficient woodworker (I'm 75) but it's very enjoyable and fulfilling. Thanks Paul!!!!

[@dandiy4958]

Excellent Sir! Due to my eyes not focusing as they used to, i add a few strokes of pencil lead to the leading edge sides of the tails. When i test the fit to see the interface that is tight, it will show the lead traces that need pared down. As you called it the "bruising area". Great chisel work, just the way i like to do myself. Thank You!

[@blue47er]

I watched the whole video here. Not because I want to learn how to cut dovetail joints, but because watching, and particularly, listening to Paul Sellers' quiet, unhurried, gentle voice explaining what he is doing has a wonderful way of taking all my mental stress away. Positively soporific and mentally calming. I don't suppose anyone has ever noticed this, but after 37 minute or so is, in my opinion, one the best therapies for the mind and body currently on KZbin...

[@DonnaMSchmid]

That dovetail is a thing of beauty!!!

[@katzwhite5962]

Donna M Schmid Its good to see a female on here enjoying woodwork. I'm watching Mr Sellers at 5.47am and wanting to work with wood and make my own dovetails. UK🇬🇧

[@lachlannicholson7258]

30 years a carpenter Paul Sellars is the best to follow old school brilliant

[@elainemccully130]

The time, care and respect given to materials and process makes this simply the best tutorial video

[@clydeperrine2959]

I am 60 yrs young and I just found you from a mention in another channel I subscribe to. This was the first video of yours that I have watched. I am now a subscriber of yours and I will watch every pre-advertisement to its conclusion as long as it's not 5 or more minutes long. Thanks for sharing your expertise in woodworking. It's nice to see the respect and care you have for your tools and craft.

[@petemininni6002]

Paul, I love watching you work, I've learned a lot! I must say, you are the most patient man I've seen in a long time! Beautiful work.

[@epamanonda1]

What a pleasure, watching a craftsman at his trade.Absolutely bloody marvellous.

[@Paul.Sellers]

I hope you enjoyed learning more about dovetail joinery. I release regular videos so please subscribe to my channel: kzbin.info

[@dustinfeigel5219]

Great video. I really enjoyed seeing the dovetail done by hand vs using a router or band saw. Thank you for posting it and I will be sure to give this a try in the future.

[@DEEP345]

Paul Sellers you are a great teacher thanks for the videos

[@vaultsjan]

Softwoods (pine) any different (besides even sharper chisels) or basically same process (can start right against knifewall)?

[@pilot-Mike]

Great video Paul. Thank you. What brand of saw are you using?

[@zhanlinglyu3972]

Copy china

[@johnmullen730]

Hi Paul. First let me say that you are my George.I spent my whole life in heavy construction trying to provide for my family. I am now retired and have just built a small woodworking shop. Your instructional videos are a blessing to be sure. I just watched your video on how to hand cut dovetails. I know my first one will not come out as nice as yours, but maybe the second or third will come close. Thank you for sharing your craftmanship with all of us. You are keeping it alive.

[@oldergeologist]

Such a good simple commentary and excellent craftsmanship. Appreciate the professional no frills videography.

[@charlesa3374]

"Listen to the sound".....only a true craftsman utilizes all his senses....well done!

[@ihadabadday7709]

As much as I love Paul, I always watched with mixed emotion as he reminds me a lot of my dearly departed Father.

[@Andaluz_TV]

I have no shop nor tools for any kind of woodwork and watched your whole video to the end. That's how good your explaining and technique were the whole time. Just wanted to say 'thank you' for such an amazing content.

[@MacGasco]

Best 40min I've ever spent on the internet thank you mr seller

[@alasdairreed4370]

Fantastic ! The work of a master. No expensive tools, no fuss, no wasted energy and beautifully edited too. Stockport's finest export to the world .

[@zippywalker6406]

Your awesome craftsmanship is only succeeded by your ability to teach. Thank you.

[@tyronebishop1719]

Man, I absolutely LOVE this. My dad was a carpenter and he used to do all this stuff

[@suburbanhobbyist2752]

I vow, from this day forward, to only watch Paul when I need to learn how to do something with hand tools. I spent the day making horrible dovetails and now, after seeing this video, it's obvious where I went wrong. Funny thing is that I've watched this video before, but I didn't pay attention to the subtle but super important details that he throws in all freaking over the place.

[@aikiiai]

Oftentimes, watching it a second or third time reveals things we missed. Books and movies are like that too.

[@manuelpereira1356]

THANK YOU. It´s a joy to watch your videos. You are an excellent teacher because you explain everything and you don´t leave out any details. CONGRATULATIONS. I have followed your indications and believe it: I MANAGED TO GET EXCELLENT RESULTS. Your videos give me encouragement to continue building my woodworking skills, now that I have retired and have a lot of time at my disposal.

[@balbino108]

Grandmaster! Thank you for teaching us.

[@GOBLINKINGISM]

this guy is the man. im a chippy by trade but dont get much time to woodwork these days so its just lovely to be able to sit back and watch you knock up a dove and i can pick a different approach to a nice clean dove. so thanks mate

[@Paul.Sellers]

We've added English subtitles to this video. We work hard to reach as many people around the world and help them learn woodworking. We need your help to translate our videos subtitles to your language and progress our work. Please contribute translations here: kzbin.info_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UCc3EpWncNq5QL0QhwUNQb7w

[@rmschrader36]

Paul Sellers, you are a true master sir. Thanks for the wonderful videos!

[@csp8003]

Is there a reason the band saw is not used? Be kind I'm a novice wood worker.

[@baiersworkshop]

i would help, but everyone in denmark fortunatly speaks english :-)

[@HiVisl]

Wow, fantastic skill. Seeing the process for creating one of these makes me grateful for the CNC options we have these days. Lovely work, good sir.

[@JesusvonNazaret]

thanks a lot for this video, you are such a great teacher

[@xavierferri]

it's an amazing job, i learn so much with these videos. you're not only teaching, you're living it, you're what i call the "good geek", feeling the wood, listening to it, telling every stories, talking time after time about safety… working man hero !

[@sreville]

That was fascinating to watch! Such a gorgeous outcome too :)

[@mac243877]

Excellent demo great skills and no disco music or robotic voices ..... thank you

[@w0mblemania]

Great stuff Paul. And excellent work by the camera/production guys, too.

[@sdcofer52]

Paul, you make it look so easy, and it is, after a few thousand times.

[@RIPSAW-gt5ng]

a legend of wood working

[@Lodewikus]

Thanks Paul. This video is still helping people improve their hand working skills.

[@Paul.Sellers]

To see a step by step version of how to make dovetails for beginner woodworkers, visit our sister site: commonwoodworking.com/courses/how-to-make-a-dovetail/ For projects involving the classic dovetail joint, visit: woodworkingmasterclasses.com/video-library/ To find out more about Paul Sellers and the projects he is involved with, visit: paulsellers.com

[@billrover7131]

Thank You Paul I'm retired now but did woodworking my whole career in construction. Now it's a hobby and much more fun. Thank you for your hand and bench technique. Seems I'm still learning.

[@Samstraysongs]

Paul, that's a work of art to the finish, great lesson thanks for your time!

[@jeffserle7828]

You are a wizard woodworker sir. The way you explain the subtle details make your vids a cut above. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@VitalityMassage]

Now put a 4" screw down through the top to secure it!

[@christieevans9312]

+VitalityMassage HERESY!

[@Alvy.07]

Hahahahahahaha

[@weiliaozi4527]

LOL

[@sajidullah]

Good Idea .. how about just a 3/16" dia wire .

[@ooloncolluphid7904]

Go back to your coloring book, Vitality Massage. Let the grown-ups talk.

[@rafavidal2735]

I like the way of working and teaching of Paul Sellers, he is the best!!..

[@CindyL4261]

So many negative comments on this video it is astonishing. As others have said, the point is being missed entirely. Whether you like dovetails or not, use a coping saw, prefer speedy work or whatever- take some time to view it through a different lense. As a woodworker who primarily uses power tools, every now and then a situation presents itself that would benefit from skilled and concise chisel work. I used to avoid them as much as possible because I wasn't comfortable or skilled using or sharpening them. But now, if I take the time needed to practice the steps taught here by a master of the craft (think piano scales or learning cursive writing) I will probably gain confidence in my newfound chisel skills. I can then easily transfer those skills to whatever project might benefit from controlled and concise chisel work. I will chisel out too tight mortises, or whatever, like a ninja and never let my lack of skill stand in my way again. Even if I hate the look of dovetails (which I do not- but to each his or her own) or never handcut another dovetail as a woodworker. Thank you Mr. Sellers for taking the time to produce this instructional video. Your instruction on the subject is easily the best I've seen, and that includes previous face-to-face instruction.

[@pier-ricklamontagne275]

I'm a bit of Hyper active person. I've did a lot of things with power tools but the way that Paul Sellers is using calm me down. I've broken many, many wood pieces because of rapidity. Now it may take me twice as long for the same project but I try not to do any mistakes. :)

[@marksebestyen]

a piece of art, not just the end-product, but the entire presentation and process! thank you for sharing!

[@tnekkc]

I thought after 60 years of woodworking, I was a C+ woodworker. Then I watched this video, and my grade went down. So I ordered the back saw, the dovetail marker, and more chisels. I will learn from this video.

[@fredpearson5204]

I call myself an F woodworker, so regardless of what I make, I exceed myself. But not by much.

[@Snakeplisskin440]

@@fredpearson5204 If I've learned anything in the last year, its fine to mess up just make sure no one can figure it out or see it. Haha

[@fredpearson5204]

Timothy Brown, it’s not fine because I know it’s there. Haha.

[@wwess4014]

A pleasure to watch basic tool skills in use, and so nice to watch a quiet video

[@briarfox637]

Paul, thank you for this presentation. This has taught me to go slow and precise when cutting my dovetails. I really enjoy listening to your instruction and this video is no exception. The videos on the 3 joints has been really great. Looking forward to getting more and more precise. I had a quesion for you after watching it. Do you use this chiseling method with every pin board you cut? Or do you sometimes use a fret saw? What is the difference?

[@kennethsmith1744]

Your a great teacher just get right to it. No blown up explanations just straight forward thank you

[@danieldaniels1172]

Wow. I want to say more to express my appreciation for his skill but can only think of...wow.

[@Kavster92]

When he was talking about the sound the tools make as the situation changes! Amazing. It's almost so simple, and yet so easily missed. What a master

[@pier-ricklamontagne275]

I've never heard it before he told it. Now I always look for that sound on every chiseling project I do. I Helped me not broke a wood piece often (sorry for the bad sentence, can't find another way to explain myself.)

[@SimplyReg]

I love working with hand tools. So many videos are on the web where great craftsmen create marvellous objects using machine tools almost exclusively, but I was trained on hand tools and in some ways I deplore the fact that those methods of working are neglected these days for stated reasons of being too slow, sometimes almost impossible to be as accurate as with machine tools and generally "more difficult". Difficulty is good. It's real training of hand and eye and aesthetic appreciation of the materials you are working with. Who sharpens a saw nowadays? Talk about a dying art. You bring all the senses into play when you are judging how the work is progressing, and that is true craftsmanship.

[@GizziMoD]

i prefer my method of leaving room to store pencils in the joint :D

[@scottjohnson396]

You and me both. I went to post pictures of my first dovetails and was like "ah I can't post this"

[@GizziMoD]

@@scottjohnson396 LOL! All our first tryst was the same.. but it's making these mistakes that learns us the most... it's one thing seeing it done or someone telling you it's another fully understanding it.. just keep doing them and they will soon be top notch..

[@cavemanjohnnie]

You are a true woodworker, you videos are so thorough and detailed. A joy to watch what an artist instead of a machine.

[@floriantennapel6908]

For anyone wondering, a 1 to 7 pitch is 80degrees

[@-Yogo]

just a bit over .. (81.9) edit: not that it matters, as long as the correct angles are transposed to the opposing piece ...

[@jaredbrusseau]

Easily the most detailed and beautiful video on all of KZbin. Loved watching this video.

[@JimmyA78]

awesome, tons of patience, which i do not have.

[@duffkw]

A true Craftsman, I was taught to make dovetails by an Amish friend, ( passed away a few years ago), as I watch your techniques and listen to your voice, I can almost see him teaching me the true art of craftsmanship. Very impressed with your skill level and ability to teach, remarkable work. Thank you for sharing your skill set, very much appreciated.

[@kennyboothe7544]

You encourage me to try again. While learning, is hardwood or softwood better?

[@MikeGusFifteen]

A softwood requires a less radical angle for the cheek of the dovetail while hardwood is strong enough to support a sharper angle. So it depends on your preference. I find that softwood is best to practice with because it's so much cheaper.

[@thomashanson6607]

You will waste a lot of wood before you get four corners right. At least I did. Let your wallet be your guide. They both require very sharp tools and a lot of reasoning. But one day you will just be able to do it. Took me a couple years. But I'm stubborn.

[@kurasoe]

All softwood / hardwood means is, actually, how that particular tree reproduces itself. Softwood is like saying gymnosperm (seeds are not enclosed, like apple, think pinecones, often evergreen) and hardwood is like saying angiosperm (seeds are enclosed, think apple, generally deciduous broad leaf trees). There are some softwoods which are quite dense and some hardwoods which are not.

[@kennyboothe7544]

Thanks, guys. I have some old 1x4 pine I can practice with. I like using the angle gauge instead of a jig and just using chisels instead of coping saws, etc. And - no marking gauge - just use the other wood. Works for me. Now, if it will just warm up a bit, I can get to work (play).

[@thomashanson6607]

Kenny Boothe After trying every marking device known to man, I prefer the sliding angle gauge as it has a certain flair to it. I detest coping saws. I have winnowed it all down to pretty much do it the was Paul Sellers does it, except the sliding finger marking technique I am trying to learn. I do wish I had seen this video 10 years ago. When you do a dark wood like walnut pencil marks are almost invisible so I use a clothes marking pencil but you can may prefer a marking knife or put down blue tape and mark and cut on it. I saw that on an Aussie's video.

[@michaelt454]

Paul Sellers, you are one of the most clear, concise, inspiring teachers that I've ever found. Thanks for passing on some of your vast knowledge to an amateur.

[@Tungsten91]

If that dove tail was at a bar, i'd buy it a drink

[@Felipera_]

Tungsten I'd buy it a cocktail

[@chrismcandrew1041]

This man has the patience of a Saint!

[@jasonrobinson9524]

Who thumbs down a video like this?

[@CheeseBae]

+Jason Robinson People trying to justify the purchase of their Kreg pocket hole jig. ;)

[@woodscholar6705]

+Jason Robinson I do! The practice of chiselling away the dovetail in this video is both balmy and not the recognised traditional way. Even if you have all the time in the world it is not the practice of a master craftsman or one who earns a living from cutting dovetails as some still do.

[@jasonrobinson9524]

+Challengetv I hadn't even considered that, actually. I appreciate the clarification. Cheers!

[@jeremiebonheure1736]

+Challengetv could you link to the traditionnal way then?

[@joshuarosen6242]

Paul is a master craftsman and also earned his living as a woodworker so what you say cannot be true.

[@ministe2003]

This is like watching an artist draw or paint. Watching a master craftsman gives me such pleasure

[@1337BSTAR]

When i left school I did a trade apprenticeship in Joinery and Carpentry and got a City and Guilds level2 and i've learned more from this vid than i did in the entirety of collage or from the so called master joiners i was placed on sites i feel robbed of my teen years all that time and effort wasted especially considering all i did was dry walling with metal stud and cleaning up after everyone else on site because they are more interested in making stacks by not having to hire labour or cleaners doing job and knock style jobs and rushing everything without ever showing me anything got me feeling depressed as hell...

[@crowznest438]

Lots of people have the information in their heads but few can transfer that info to other people. I'm not a good teacher and really appreciate the talent in those that are.