Houndstooth Dovetail - Joint of the Week

Get the Katz-Moses Magnetic Dovetail Jig here: lddy.no/stiz
This week’s woodworking joint of the week is the Houndstooth Dovetail. I walk you through the steps of cutting this very decorative hand cut joinery including how to get rid of bulk waste and overcome some of the problems associated with this type of joinery. Used in workbenches, decorative boxes, and anywhere you’d use a dovetail, this woodworking joint can be used for lots of great woodworking projects. Let me know in the comments what joint you’d like to see next week. Thanks for watching! Please like, comment and subscribe. Cheers!
#jointoftheweek #houndstoothdovetail
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[@halsonger1317]

I can't do a houndstooth dovetail yet. However my dovetails do look like a dog chewed on them so I guess I'm halfway there.

[@katzmosestools]

Cheers bud!

[@timothyball3144]

That one made me laugh.

[@wolverinebear5357]

Iam right there with ya, having extra firewood is usually a good thing

[@larala681]

The author does like to from scratch, kzbin.infoUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. As another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us don’t have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we won’t be able to practise the full stack project, is still great.

[@davemankoff]

10:45 - no bandaids. 11:04 - two bandaids. Fighting hard to get those inner corners!

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahaha damn it if I didn't do it twice too

[@davemankoff]

@@katzmosestools "Use all the tools the are available to you." ;)

[@jefflindeman]

Dave Mankoff ~Now THAT made me laugh! (and cringe simultaneously, glancing up at a particularly bloodstained piece of failed maple tails that hangs on the wall over my bench - a reminder of my obsession with maintaining sharp chisels 🙄)

[@bookworm8415]

My first attempt with chisels ended with 9 cuts to my fingers where the side edge was cutting me but I didn’t feel it. My second attempt had me cut 6 times. Clear progression. Feel his pain

[@CarolinaGirlCreationZ]

Haaaaahahaha! I noticed that too. I have bruises all over my dang legs from my 2nd ever build (chicken coop) so I can't laugh too much though. XD

[@GregsGarage]

I'm concerned that people are going to see this series and stop using pocket hole jigs.

[@Aleph-Noll]

good >:D

[@woogaloo]

I literally laughed out loud at this.

[@cyclistman6358]

Or using biscuits! Such a shame.

[@ronh9384]

Good video as always! I used to cut to far on the back side almost every time I cut dovetails. My cheap and easy solution is a small mirror I keep on the backside when I cut dovetails. Now I rarely cut to deep....

[@HBSuccess]

Good one! Exactly what I want to do on a bench I'm planning to build - Maple+Walnut end vice or similar. Something like this says "I'm a woodworker... and you're NOT" to anyone who sees it LOL.

[@adamtoth7474]

Sweeeet. I have an idea for Joint of the Week, uneven dovetails. Every dovetail is a different size and angle. Might look cool with contrasting wood, all different and wacky?

[@TheDaggerDogg]

I was thinking the same thing....asymmetric dovetails. The angle of one side of the tail is different than the other side. I think I'm going to try that and riff on that theme for a minute

[@dakine215]

9:12 “use your dull...you know, your ‘not as good ones’...wow, it was really hard not to swear there...”. Hahaha! Love the editing.

[@johnhutton7708]

how about a series on every different way to cut box joints? router table ,versus table saw and different jigs to make them?

[@MJ-nb1qn]

Nice band aid. You ain’t working if you ain’t bleeding! My wife is a surgical Nurse and she made a special ”station” in my shop with first aid supplies. When I cut myself bad I try and sneak into the bathroom and one handed try to get the cut sutured before she catches on. (I am a physician) So she takes delight in suturing up a physician. She is better than me, but then again I’m usually doing it one handed. Beats a trip to the office where EVERYBODY will make fun on me.

[@shaunboydmadethis]

Hounds are cool and all, but how about a Humanstooth Dovetail?

[@katzmosestools]

Why stop there? How about a elephant tusk dovetail? Favorite comment today: "how about a dovetail that looks like a Z?" 5 minutes later responds to his comment: "ignore that. Looked up pictures and it looks like the SS white pride symbol"

[@shaunboydmadethis]

@@katzmosestools Hahaha! That is awesome.

[@rahmanibahie2511]

Sorry but Which dovetail strategy you recommend (or audience) for single bad between frame and the legs..... I do not know if it is better to do halving or housing dovetail

[@katzmosestools]

Not sure I have a good answer. In sure either would work fine

[@christophermacier]

I heard the meth-mouth variety is very easy to do

[@josephmartinez2231]

Always use the tape trick on your jig. I did abuse my 90 degree shoulder face a bit because I didn’t use tape (ouch)

[@diamonddave2622]

I get my joint of the week from the 'special plant' dispensary.

[@CarolinaGirlCreationZ]

Wow that's a gorgeous dovetail! I grew up with a dad and grandfather who spent many hours in their home workshop and I LOVED watching them. I'm just now getting into my journey of woodworking but I'd much rather use old style traditional woodworking like dovetails and wooden dowels to connect things than screws and nails. Beautiful job and I can't wait to see more on your channel. #NewSubscriber!

[@MichaelAlm]

Nice joint and some great tips. Thanks dude!

[@HBSuccess]

I've used a Dremel rotary tool with a tiny bit to clean out half-blinds. Not the whole thing - just getting the undercut and corners once the bulk of the wood is chiseled. The Dremel is easy to control but still very slow going. For a drawer or two is tolerable. And - I have a friend who uses modified high-speed air-powered dental tools - they're even smaller/finer (he's a dentist LOL).

[@streetpunk99]

I thought Jimmy Kimmel started wood work so I stopped scrolling. Now I'm subscribed.

[@jeffcurry4451]

So awesome, you do great work...now please send me a big box of all you exotic wood cutoff/scraps..........no seriously I will take them.....

[@johnkelly6942]

I have some of those (&#$@%) chisels! I finally bought a sharpener so I can fix that!

[@dirkherr-hoyman2119]

Upcoming Fine Woodworking is going to have a houndstooth dovetail on the cover. So, thought I'd take in a how-to article! One quick question, which saw do you like to use for cutting dovetails? I see several on your store. Yes, that's like saying which child is your favorite :-).

[@PerrynBecky]

This is one of your older vids, because you did a lot of talking in the video, where your newer videos have more working, less chatting, and are much more informative. You've really grown a lot the last 2 and 1/2 years from this one. Beautiful dovetail design though.

[@timr1810]

Hi, I've been watching several of your videos and just but your Saw and Dovetail jig. In one video, not sure if its this one you put some tape on the jig. I assume its some type of plastic tape. What is it, do you have a link? thanks

[@UDoIt2]

LOL @ "I have a problem with my table saw". Watching this now. That is a slick looking dovetail joint. BTW you are rank #7 on dovetail and rank #2 on "dovetail joint" tags.

[@nevermindthebull0cks]

I decided to finally try hand cutting dovetails. how hard can it be right? Yeah, it sucks. it's not the chisels, it's the sawing. I get the ugliest cuts. Rough, crooked trash.

[@Vincent-S]

Ha, I really wish I watched this or Frank Strazza’s videos on this before attempting it. Mainly because I accidentally started on the pins instead of the tails and discovered how hard it was gonna be to transfer the lines to make the tails lol

[@UDoIt2]

My dad's (he passed but I got his old woodworking tools) old combination square has all of the markings embossed on it perfect for the marking gauge.

[@dwlsml4118]

Effortlessly done, yet humble. Love your channel and your craftsmanship. Excellent work, bud!

[@terrydavis415]

1

[@grahamparsons6620]

Nice job mate, looks like a beaut of a joint but a tough nut to crack, I would need to invest in some patience before taking it on I think. 😂😂👍👍👍

[@inquisitive_stranger]

I thought you were talking about a different "joint"........

[@yurtttttt96]

What species is the darker timber? It’s not American walnut by any chance?

[@stewart6832]

So next joint should be: inlay (3D) hound tooth dovetails!!!

[@gordonxu2493]

Very impressed. It really look 👍

[@BruceAUlrich]

That looks like magic! Good video, Jonathan!

[@wb_finewoodworking]

Outstanding. That’s a joint I’d love to try sometime. I enjoy your Joint of the Week episodes.

[@muhammadzegar7210]

He sounds like jake from adventure time

[@Metal-Possum]

Or you could just cut some basic finger joints for faster, easier, and better results.

[@robertrobinejr5637]

What width UHMW Tape do you use on your dovetail guide

[@timothyball3144]

Thanks for this Jonathan. The first time I saw this was on MEs workbench and loved it. Question on thin pins in general though. Are thin pins still as strong as thicker pins?

[@katzmosestools]

Definitely and sexier. You couldn't separate these if you tried

[@BrassGrain]

Neat job! Could be nice to watch a video about all type of fixing it's possible to apply on dovetails mistakes, like you did on that walnut, it's barely noticeable

[@BuckHuntingAce]

Where can i purchase one of those plexi guides? Btw...amazing work!!!

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks. We manufacture it and it can be found at kmtools.com

[@woogaloo]

I've watched this twice and I'm still just as impressed. Awesome job as always.

[@aaronwilton8738]

You should try the devil’s lettuce for a joint of the week

[@Monuments_to_Good_Intentions]

Looking into building a woodworking bench. A very nice one. Also plan on doing some drawers, and need to learn dove tails

[@WilfredEllerbeck]

Great vid as usual but one question. What angle did you use here?

[@AssafOppenheimer]

@Jonathan Katz-Moses, what version of the dovetail jig did you use, 1:6 or 1:8?

[@AssafOppenheimer]

@Jonathan Katz-Moses any chance for an answer? I want to buy the jig...

[@TheBooze13]

There are woodworkers and then there are woodcraftsmen ya know lol

[@Saki630]

what the fuck kind of channel is this? I swear you are 1% away from making a legit TV show because you have such great camera work, music, attention to detail, and the look of someone who works and is trust worthy.

[@katzmosestools]

Hahaha thanks bud. Marc and I work hard on putting out content we're proud of.

[@brandonhayes1211]

I would like to see how you built the little bench you are working on

[@brentjones8786]

Hey mate. Love your channel. But got to ask why you don't work in mm

[@katzmosestools]

I've always used imperial and I'm just used to it

[@chrisw1462]

UHMW - Ultra High Molecular Weight. As opposed to GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which I think is where the 'V' everyone stumbles over comes from. Hope this helps people keep it straight.. I've done it, too, and I've heard lots of people do the same.

[@BenMarvin]

Have you ever tried the pounding a square card scraper into the corner method for half blinds? After that you're just paring end grain.

[@katzmosestools]

Great idea. Heard of in but never tried. I'll give it a go next time. Cheers bud

[@BenMarvin]

@@katzmosestools I think it was a Lie Nielsen video where I first saw the idea. Seems rare. I've never tried myself as I don't often do half blinds and I currently can't find my square card scraper...

[@jakefromstatefarm9721]

Slap a toggle clamp onto that dovetail alignment board.

[@elcidbob]

"I'm insecure and tasteless": the joint. People who don't know anything about woodworking don't understand that there's not a jig you can buy for this and people who do know how to do dovetails know this isn't any more difficult to cut than any other dovetail.

[@BurkeMakesStuff]

AB-SO-LUTELY beautiful! I’m still trying to figure out how to do regular dovetails... sigh. Outstanding work as alway, man

[@katzmosestools]

You got this bud. You'll be cutting ones you're proud of in no time. Practice practice practice. I believe in you. Also watch my video called "A Comprehensive Guide to Cutting Dovetails "

[@BurkeMakesStuff]

Jonathan Katz-Moses I have! Twice. My first try is so bad, I’m going to frame them as a reminder! Lol

[@Dickie2702]

All you need to clear out the corners of half blinds is a fishtail chisel. Find a couple of decent old chisels from a yard sale and let rip with a grinder. Sure Rob Gorman has a video that shows one he made. They are far more use than skew chisels as one does both corners. I have one small one and one slightly larger, wouldn't be without them. Took about a couple of hours on the grinder to fashion them but they will last me a lifetime.

[@orelygarcia]

🧡💯😎👍👍

[@pthomas36]

I am loving these joint of the week vids... I'm 2.5 years late but this one is really striking. Looks like a really big challenge but that's half the fun of it!

[@ashgiles4401]

What dovetail ratio? Thanks

[@JasonBreslow]

Can anyone tell me what those wood types he used are?

[@danpusceddu]

Great exposition - I've been trying to figure out this joint for a while! I've seen people dovetail an endcap onto their work bench tops using a houndstooth pattern but I can't imagine that the tails extend right across the breath of the benchtop...

[@Rhaugz]

Which saw is this? The folding saw

[@kosankrazy4143]

U should do a triple inlay with this one

[@burnerjack01]

I don't do woodworking but I must say, that is most impressive dovetail joint I've ever seen and your craftsmanship looks every bit of awesome as any Japanese or Chinese cabinetry I've seen. Truly incredible.

[@rick91443]

Very nice...cheers...rr Normandy

[@missybarker5264]

I am working on a finger joint box right now and I'm pretty excited to see what the results are, have a wonderful day.

[@sebastiaanstoffels7565]

I loved the skipping of any dry fit. Straight to glue. Nice :)

[@MikeytheMaker]

I have been learning so much from your videos lately. Excellent communication of both simple and complex tasks. Thanks for sharing!

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks bud!

[@JkCanvas]

Amazing. I will attempt this at some point when I can cut dovetails.

[@mattfairfield9103]

What is the purpose of the half blind dovetail? Is it more structurally sound than a normal dovetail joint? Looks beautiful by the way!

[@katzmosestools]

So the endgrain doesn't show on the face of the mating board

[@mattfairfield9103]

Ahhhh I see. Thanks for the reply. I’ve stumbled across your “joint of the week” videos and I’ve enjoyed them!

[@kristemmerman921]

Not the joint of the week I was hoping for, nevertheless stuck around .

[@Trrs81]

Absolutely awesome. Can't wait to do this. Any suggestions as to what projects that this would compliment well?

[@katzmosestools]

Chcek 0:19 Cheers

[@Trrs81]

I was thinking the chop on a bench would be super slick. If you size down to 4/4 for both boards. Wouldn't the hounds tooth be pretty delicate/fragile? I'm going to be making a watch box. But havent been able to decide on what joinery I want to do. The box would store about a dozen watches.

[@katzmosestools]

@@Trrs81 I can't wait to see what you create bud

[@samus4799]

Should probably buy a chisel first. Hmmm

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great job Jonathan! Thank you for sharing the video. 👌👍😎JP

[@markhansen4258]

Life is too short for dovetails

[@stephens.575]

My man fought hard not to say shit chisels. Good job.

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahaha so hard

[@rahmanibahie2511]

Which dovetail strategy you recommend (or audience) for single bad between frame and the legs..... I do not know if it is better to do halving or housing dovetail

[@waskito3443]

this looks like a nightmare, imagine 1 dovetail breaking while hammering it in and you have to redo the other 2 boards attached to it

[@deldridg]

Lovely to watch Jonathan and thanks for the excellent tips (and inspiration). Currently making some traditional (Shaker) bedside tables from beautifully figured Australian Red Cedar for my wife and I and am very much looking forward to making the drawers, which are coming up. I always dovetail but now I'll think about going Houndstooth style! Big cheers and g'day from Sydney, Aust! Dave

[@Copper1268]

Gico makers knife !

[@Whatthensayyou]

Sometimes when you say.. "This is a really simple joint, if you can cut a dovetail you can do this".. It makes me wonder if Steph Curry does the same thing, if you can shoot a free throw then you can shoot three's like me.. Another epic joint, that hopefully I can add to the "I've tried it once" list by the end of the year :D

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahaha I realized this probably wasn't "really simple" when watching the rough edit hahaha

[@jaimecastells9750]

VERY nice result. I will use this! Thanks!

[@johnnielsen7413]

Great information, and it turned out so nice. I love the shelf filled with joints.

[@blink5789]

Whenever i watch a video with joint of the week in the name, normaly isnt this kind of joint but i was impressed

[@kylepollard8727]

Beautiful work man, thanks for the videos

[@tooljunkie555]

Thats so awesome looking. Nice work Jonathan 🍻💥

[@TheJmh19]

awesome... as always. thanks for the vid. this looks hard.

[@silentwisdom7025]

Sativa.....oh whoops.

[@nikburton9264]

That's a beautiful piece of work. Looks strong, too. Not like those decorated miter joints.

[@JordanWoodwerx]

That's awesome, I would like to see this done with a quadruple inlay! LOL...I can barely do a regular dovetail.

[@katzmosestools]

hahaha That might have to go on the list

[@alexdobie8382]

I would call it a Bear Paw joint, but I couldn't make one half as good as that so I don't have the right.

[@Endermanso]

Im building a fancy office desk, im going to do a blind dovetail like that on the drawers front. The inside of the drawer is going to be mansonia (its in spanish i don't know the translation) and the front sapeli

[@katzmosestools]

I can't wait to see what you create bud

[@ericwilliams7374]

As Darth Vader would say, "IMPRESSIVE, MOST IMPRESSIVE!!"..

[@boneman1868]

Excellent tip about using a clamp to prevent splitting during glue up. You could maybe have highlighted this a bit more in your conclusion, just 'cos it's such a good point. Brilliant video. Thanks!

[@katzmosestools]

seems like you got the point without me covering it twice haha

[@mrcannamike5636]

Fish Tail chisel is a God send for the pins.

[@katzmosestools]

Going to have to try one of those

[@nathanmitchell4839]

I took my CBN wheel grinder and modified one of my cheaper high carbon chisels into a fish tail chisel, the CBN wheel does it while not heating it up as much since there's a big amount of steel to be removed.

[@nathanmitchell4839]

The fish tail chisels are really expensive, maybe you could do a video on making some.

[@HBSuccess]

It is a total PITA getting down in there if you don't have the right tool. Rob Cosman makes/sells a good one for $150 (the Chinese version is $120 - for $30 more I'd rather have the real deal) That is lot to spend for a total one-trick pony but you could cut/grind your own based on photos. - I might drop the $150 just to cure the frustration.

[@mrcannamike5636]

Tioga Fretworks I got mine from Lie Nielsen for $75.

[@jayceterry3691]

“wow it was really hard not to swear there”😂😂😂😂😂

[@thomasarussellsr]

Beautiful job, Jonathan. It's beautiful.

[@eignerrauda3483]

Looks awesome

[@Ham68229]

Will definitely be rewatching this video numerous times. Very curious to see how well I can make this joint. I think what would really be helpful is, a bit more explanation on saw angle while cutting, explain the types of chisel, (show them), for newer woodworkers. I've had friends look at me with that deer in the headlight look and wonder what I was talking about, until I'd show them the tool. Great video. Cheers :)

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks bud! I can't go through all the tools and steps every joint of the week but I do use the series as a building block type thing. Otherwise videos would be repetitive and super long every time. I suggest watching the video A Comprehensive Guide to Cutting Dovetails for a more in depth look at the dovetail process. Also I'm pretty good about linking videos in the cards that go further in depth on certain areas.

[@davisnin]

I don't have the hand plane skill, or power tools necessary to start with square and straight wood. Can you do some joints with warped big box construction lumber and pallet wood?

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahaha

[@danielcaputo1975]

NICE DUDE!