I Attempted to Cut Dovetails on a Scroll Saw...

We’ve seen dovetails cut different ways. You can hand cut them. A lot of people use a band saw. Now, people are even using a table saw. But what about using a scroll saw? Where is the scroll saw dovetail love?! I set out on trying it to see just how difficult it is.
I used oak for my dovetails. I started by laying out the dovetails on my boards. I like wider tails and narrow pins so I laid them out so they were visually appealing to me. Typically, I like to cut the tails first; however, it’s a bit easier to cut pins first when using a scroll saw or band saw. This is because it’s easier to cut the tails later that match the pins than it is to cut pin to match the tails.
I want a 1:6 ratio dovetail. That’s approximately 9.5 degrees. I set my scroll saw table to 9.5 degrees. I’m using a #7 reverse tooth scroll saw blade. I find that the bigger the blade, the easier it is to cut straight. I cut the left sides of my pins. In order to cut the right side of the pins I needed to tilt my scroll saw to 9.5 degrees in the other direction. Then I cut the right side of the pins.
What if you don’t have a scroll saw that tilts both ways? In that case you’ll need to make a quick jig. By making a dovetail jig you can keep your saw at 90 degrees and cut both sides of the pins. Scroll saws don’t have a lot of clearance. Because of this, I used a thin of material as I could. I cut two wedges using 1/2” thick MDF. I then put 1/4” thick MDF on top and bottom to make a little sled.
To cut the tails, I aligned the pin board on the tail board and marked the position of the tails. Cutting dovetails is pretty straight forward. Follow the layout lines, but cut on the waste side of the workpiece. Cutting directly on the line can cause slight gaps in the dovetails. Cutting to the side of the line (on the pin side) will give you tighter joints.
After cutting the tails, they will take a tiny bit of cleanup work with a chisel along the shoulder and scribe line.
•• About NewtonMakes••
I’m Billy and I make fun things. Sometimes, it’s something I need like tool storage ideas. Other times it’s silly or nerdy stuff that I want to build. If you want to get ideas for making stuff, or just want to watch something entertaining then make sure you subscribe.
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Here’s a list of tools and materials that I used to make this project. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
•• Tools & Materials ••
My Amazon Store: www.amazon.com...
Scroll Saw: amzn.to/2TVZEQO
Scroll Saw blade: amzn.to/3MtDn3c
Bandsaw amzn.to/3168ElS
Dovetail guide: www.highlandwo...
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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on www.pexels.com

[@davidspottiswoode3831]

Never crossed my mind to do this you've saved on expletives LOL cheers

[@seattlematt]

I did dovetails on the scroll saw a couple of years ago and mine didn't come out nearly as nice as yours did. Your video inspired me though, I'll try again. Great content.

[@NewtonMakes]

I've had multiple people reach saying they have always liked using scrollsaws for dovetails. I lt will take us some practice but we'll be experts before you know it.

[@CorbyQ]

This is fricking awesome. I don’t know how long you’ve had this video in your back pocket, meaning when you filmed it but yesterday I was talking to my buddy about dove tails and the different ways we’ve seen them cut on KZbin. Thank you for this Newton note we can ad another to this list.

[@NewtonMakes]

I filmed it a few days ago. Perhaps I was spying on you. 👀

[@CorbyQ]

@@NewtonMakes that would be awesome. I could pick your brain and use your input in my tiny shed I do woodworking in.

[@ShrednESP]

I have only handcut dovetails. I will have to give this a shot.. thanks for the idea.

[@bgpappy30]

Thank you for sharing

[@MCsCreations]

Brilliant, Newton! 😃 Thanks a bunch for the tips!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@NewtonMakes]

Thanks for checking it out. Take care!

[@michaelbradford4444]

It's this kind of stuff that makes me proud to be a patreon of Newton Makes , creativity flows in your veins !

[@NewtonMakes]

Too kind. It was really cool to try these. I'm going to have to use this method in the future.

[@michaelbradford4444]

@@NewtonMakes I have to wonder, are you the creator of this method? One day all woodworkers might know you for this? That'd be cool as s..t !

[@justinbanks2380]

This is a great tip! And very well explained! Thanks for another great video!

[@NewtonMakes]

It was a fun experiment and they turned out pretty good too.

[@JB-tb1rq]

Dove tails have always scared me, but you made it look so easy! Great “teaching video”!!

[@NewtonMakes]

They were super easy. Hopefully it give people an idea for how they want to tackle dovetails in the future.

[@oges74]

That's awesome, looked easier than I imagined it to be

[@NewtonMakes]

They are really easy. That's why I'm surprised they aren't talked about more.

[@Outlaw653]

Woohoo new video! I’ve been stuck at home sick the last 2 day and have been binging your videos. You’re definitely my favorite woodworker.

[@Outlaw653]

Or maybe it’s not a new video, but it popped up on KZbin like it was…?? Oh well, I’ll still enjoy it.

[@tomrainwater8824]

Gotta try this, another great video!

[@jimrosson6702]

Very cool 😎 thanks for sharing

[@gregmascunana9554]

Instead of a jig, you can turn a straight blade backwards and pull the material from the opposite direction, or use a spiral blade and again pull the material from the other direction.

[@wiseoldfool]

I've been thinking of making dovetails and box joints on the scroll saw, but haven't tried it yet, as I've been busy fixing my broken shop. I'm stoked with the scroll saw cart I've made!

[@NewtonMakes]

That's cool! I'm sure it'll come in handy.

[@wiseoldfool]

@@NewtonMakes Yea, I'm basically setting up the whole shop to support the scroll saw. Time will tell whether that was smart or stupid!

[@williamellis8993]

Really neat technique, Billy. Rob Cosman eat your heart out (lol). Bill

[@NewtonMakes]

Haha! Yeah, eat it Crosman! With your amazing looking joinery!

[@markduggan3451]

Great idea.

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

Clever!

[@NewtonMakes]

Thanks it was cool to try!

[@wiseoldfool]

Just realised you and JKM have a similar style of music for your videos!

[@NewtonMakes]

Oh that's cool. I haven't watched his videos. I'll have to check it out.

[@wiseoldfool]

@@NewtonMakes That's Jonathan Katz-Moses, if you hadn't worked it out. He has some amazing video taken with an extremely high frame rate camera showing what happens with kickback, and other nasties. Well worth watching!

[@ryanspassey]

Something doesn't seem right, the pin is drawn with both a 1:6 on the face and butt end of the wood.

[@mrxmry3264]

why does everyone make the tails so big? IMHO pins and tails should be roughly the same size, otherwise they look weird.

[@kasper7106]

thats almost exactly how i cut my dovetails

[@NewtonMakes]

That's cool!

[@TheRaven0811]

Good idea. But Frank Klaus is still faster...

[@hersir557]

Seen it, router jig is faster