A Comprehensive Guide to Cutting Dovetails - Tips and Tricks Galore

[@katzmosestools]

Check this out: Holiday Dovetail Challenge: bit.ly/holidayIGdovetailchallenge

[@Garlic46227]

I think the opposite of proud is "humble"

[@stallionranchwoodworks]

Are you not selling your jigs anymore? Went to your site and could not find them.

[@fadingfromfocus]

@@Garlic46227 I think in the case of building the opposite of proud is shy

[@fadingfromfocus]

Hey Jonathan, I just wanted to say I really enjoy and appreciate your content. I was wondering how you like the Stanley sweetheart chisels? I have the same set and am not quite sure about the consistency of hardness throughout the set, also a few of mine are bellied which I havent had the chance to flatten out yet.

[@koalafan1576]

I have a very important question. Why do dovetails have tiny tails for big pins? Can we essentially make them the same size? Ah, got the answer at 4:43 where you said “however you want to space them” so why do you always do tiny tails? I’m really curious as I want to start learning to cut them. I ordered your 8:1 and 6:1 jigs right before I stopped woodworking in 2019 so I haven’t had a chance to use them yet. Come January I will start the hobby again. @Jonathan Katz-Moses

[@steverochon1620]

In general, your channel is becoming a favorite. In this video, so many demonstrators don't show the necessary corrections. Everything is square and tight, but you take the time to show how to deal with (my) reality. Thanks for your work!

[@donspeese8220]

Completely agree. JMK shows in detail how to recover from slight errors. That is REAL life stuff.

[@Senluis13]

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.

[@chadryk5]

Man, I've learned SO MUCH by watching this vid. After trying my hand - COMPLETELY FREE HANDED, and without the proper tools - so much of what you explained herein made sense. You're a good teacher. Thanks much for sharing your knowledge! By the way, Your dovetail jig looks like an answer to my immediate woes. Again, humble thanks!

[@theunisolckers7996]

Thanks for not having ridiculous shipping costs on your dovetail jigs. I have both on it's way to Australia :) keep doing good stuff man I love your channel

[@SkylersRants]

I’ve been watching dozens of KZbin videos on dovetails and this is by far the most informative. Thanks.

[@katzmosestools]

My absolute pleasure bud!

[@bobjohnson2089]

This video was worth it just for the reference to KM Tools. Hand cut dovetails my next project. I restore antique furniture, Have always admired the craftsmanship on the dovetails.

[@jimbo2629]

The rebate is a great improvement. Testing with the square also is new to me. Also using the jig to ease the pins is good too. Also collecting the sawdust. In fact a very detailed video. The only one I’ve seen that deals with imperfections.

[@GregsGarage]

Easily the best dovetail video I've seen. Bravo.

[@JonnyBuilds]

You're such a good teacher!

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks JB!

[@doggyrabbit1128]

the most excellent tutorial I've ever seen. The best part is that you haven't done it perfectly at the first trial, but tell me a lot of methods to fix it. Thanks a lot

[@barkingshark6413]

Nice how you admit your mistakes Jonathan and not edit them out. I make dovetails on everything for years and still make mistakes once in awhile. Well done.

[@Mr-Roberto-Flak7]

Fascinating & so insightful...HOOKED !!!

[@JoeKrol]

Just purchased the Katz-Moses jig in 8:1. Very impressed. Also just got a bunch sand paper for the scary sharp on my chisels. Love your Chanel thank you.

[@chubbibots]

i am not quite at this point in my woodworking career, but i will definitely come back to this video when that time come! thank you!

[@ptcruiser2012]

I honestly think this is your best video. After watching this I bought the saw, the jig, and your amazing apron among some other items. Very happy with all. This is way to do dovetails. Full stop. You are an excellent teacher and your store is very well curated and priced very fairly. The products you have made on your own are very well thought out and visually very appealing. Well done Jonathan. I am proud to wear your banner on my new apron.

[@hansangb]

Ordered the jig, the saw, and the alignment board. I don't think I need the board but it's the best way to support your channel. My niece is getting married and I want to make her a killer jewelry case.

[@trueleyes]

Jonathan I was watching this video again (I never get tired of it) and I thought of something that I learned as a apprentis many years ago here in Los Angeles in Local 721 Cabinet Maker Union working for German shops. Our finishing team of German finishers would take Dap tubs and cut them open, empty them into container and using dies would adjust the color to the exact shade to the hard woods we were working in. Crown Molding for example, back then we screwed them in place with the old Robinson head pin head screw to the metal studs behind the dry wall. Later we changed our installation to just screwing a cant strip to the dry wall ceiling corner and then panel adhesive and gun nailed the molding in place. Point I'm making here is that we too used our sawdust with glue as nature filler, that is a very old method as I am sure you already know but I am sure that you like many others I see on You Tube work with very exotic woods from time to time and this method just might come in handy some time. I hope not but you know, _ _ _ _ happens. Love to watch a master at work.

[@bobfugazy4916]

Nice Jonathan, thank you. My kids bought me a set of the Dovetail alignment jigs for Christmas. I'm about to go use them. Best wishes.

[@TheCaoimhin2]

This is the best and clearest tutorial that I have found, and I have seen them all. You answered all my questions and now I know how many mistakes I made and why my dovetails are so awful. Great work. Thanks. Just ordered your dovetail jig and guide board. Happy days!

[@katzmosestools]

I can't wait to see you create bud!

[@fontking1a]

The time it takes to do this is amazing. This is one of four corners. We're looking at two hours minimum to do a four cornered drawer. WOW!!

[@katzmosestools]

If I'm not shooting a video and teaching I can dovetail a whole drawer in 20 minutes

[@markheld5788]

Your a good teacher first time ive seen your video .

[@NEFdaily]

Dude amazing great video

[@u.sonomabeach6528]

Finally it's making some sense! I just had to find your channel! Subscribed

[@GARRY3754]

Files, of course. What I saw Sam Maloof do with file is amazing......thanks for sharing something concrete and relevant

[@gandjboyd7872]

Great video , I just bought my 1st Japanese dovetail saw because I want to do some hand cut dovetails last time I did them was 40 years ago back in high school time to try again

[@Ragingmarmot]

Love that little workbench

[@harrybond007]

Some really good tips in this video, explanations are very well done

[@ABuffaloDub]

Dude this was awesome. You are an excellent teacher. Thank you !

[@codybryant8684]

Just got my dovetail guide today unfortunately i cant use it yet because i had an emergency surgery so no shop time till February but im super excited to have it. I wanna use it to learn muscle memory

[@timothydaniels504]

Your tip about factoring in the set of the saw teeth is something I’ve never considered before. Thank you. Just purchased both of your dovetail guides. Tamar’s video was the clincher!

[@allenhess6583]

Great video. Well narrated and you included all the tips. Thank You.

[@magicconsulting]

My folding saw and 2 jigs arrived this morning in Niagara Falls. So excited to cut my first DTs tomorrow. Thanks for making insanely high quality products and videos!

[@thomascostello5780]

best dovetail joint video ever!! TY

[@StraightWhiskey9]

Probaby the 5th time I have watched this video and its just as good as the first. Ill be making a video on my first time doing dovetails soon. Thank you for the tips

[@abhisheksharma4742]

Awesome video! Purchased your dove tail jig last Month! Can't wait for it to arrive down under!

[@barkingshark6413]

Couple of good tips in there, thanks.

[@seasawwoodworking]

I’m prepping to do my first hand cut dovetails with your jig. Your tutorial makes it look easy, so wish me luck!

[@AdamCraigOutdoors]

kinda new to wood working so this was fun to watch!! Cheers Jon!

[@katzmosestools]

Welcome my friend!

[@richardwright4782]

Great video. Very clear and easy to follow. Never tried hand cut dovetails bot I'm anxious to try it now

[@TheCHRISCaPWN]

Last week I took a lot of time to prep some cherry that I had for my first real attempt at a dovetailed urn for my cat that passed. I want to make it as nice as I can, with my current skills, but I have been procrastinating on the start of the dovetails, since I am a bit worried about messing it up. I have watched most, if not all of your videos on dovetails, and also have your 6:1 jig, but am still wanting to do the best that I can. I know you have covered the topic quite a bit, but want to extend a sincere thank you for continuing to provide new videos on the subject. I meticulously watch each one, solidifying the repeat information, and suplimenting my knowledge with the new information. I will most likely start the dovetails this weekend, so this vudeo came in perfect timing. One problem I have is that I don't have very good chisels. I am not one to spend on something uless I know I am ready for it, or know that I will continue to make the purchase a useful one, so It's hard to justify spending a lot on good ones since I am not experienced enough to "qualify" for that purchase yet, but, as you have stated, using sub-par ones is also an uphill battle. Do you have any advise on that, or do you know of any "inexpensive" chisels that are great to start with? Again, thank you for your knowledge, and willingness to share it. As always, it is greatly appreciated and immensely valued.

[@katzmosestools]

Get a set of Stanley sweetheart chisels and they'll last forever. Buying cheap tools is the most expensive thing you can buy. I promise

[@katzmosestools]

And thank you so much for the kind words

[@TheCHRISCaPWN]

@@katzmosestools You are very welcome, and most deserved.

[@BradsWorkbench]

There are a ton of old chisels sold in lots on eBay for fairly cheap. Takes a little work the sharpen, flatten them, and make handles but if ur on a budget, that’s what I would suggest

[@dan00017]

I build custom Puzzles, and I’ve never cut a Dovetail before...want to incorporate them into my next Project. Looking forward to purchasing a KM Dovetail Jig and Saw. Thanks for the video, man!

[@alejandroferreyra6120]

Excellent video Jonathan

[@Tac0caT0]

Bout to make a dovetail bench out of some leftover 4x12 bits from a job!

[@sangjinpamai1817]

Í wish I had my materials like yours..Great tutorial of all time.... Love from india

[@Aimsmallmiss]

Awesome work

[@hawkercnc8261]

Great stuff, many thanks. If the saw blade is well supported by the magnets what about a simple 90 and 45 degree version for regular carpentry and a long scarf joint perhaps. Also routing in door locks with deep holes that need to be parallel to the face of the door. What about an accurate universal steel base plate to which you attach one wide or two less wide guides by magnets to keep the router exactly at right angles to the door face. One each side to finish each side exactly where it needs to be to fit the lock.

[@meghanihamid]

Great video and explanation

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Man, you do some great content! Very, very helpful! Your views and subscriptions should start to really, really mushroom soon. Please keep doing the superb stuff!

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

I highly recommend your Dovetail jig. I have one and love it. Waiting for your hold down device to be delivered - looking forward to doing a new crosscut sled and incorporating your hold down.

[@katzmosestools]

Thank you so much bud!

[@MakeBrooklyn]

NIce ... all the tricks all in one place!! I just got that same set of Narex 1/4 skew chisels and I am digging the hell out of them, especially for cleaning out the corners of the pins on half blind dovetails!!

[@katzmosestools]

Yea they are so awesome!

[@XenonPrimeSBSV]

Great tutorial! I love picking up comprehensive info on woodworking! I hope to be as good as my father one day, the man had a natural talent when it came to woodworking and prided himself on fine clueless dovetail joints.

[@grahamparsons6620]

Great video once again, a fantastic tutorial for anyone wishing to learn how to dovetail. Between you and Matt Estlea you've got this skill buttoned down 👍👍👍👍

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks brother!

[@gregorysmith8025]

Lots of great advice on dovetails. Now I want to put it to use .... Thanks

[@katzmosestools]

I can't wait to see what you create bud

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Another great job of teaching and including all you little tips for making it look good.

[@BAR-Lrnch]

I just bought your jig, I can’t wait to use it on the nautical galley table that I’m about to start.

[@antiagonista]

Legend has it that one entire drawer has been completed last week.

[@UniversalHuman7]

Wow! Truly incredible work

[@MrAmw1]

Awesome tips and tricks thanks 🤜 just ordered your 6:1 jig just have to wait for shipping to the UK 🇬🇧 lol I'm patient it's worth the wait. Thanks buddy

[@BespokeCarpentry]

One of the cleanest dovetails I've seen. Definitely some serious skill man. Help me make my first dovetails.

[@johnburens3395]

Guess who's going to be ordering one of your dovetail guides soon? I think it will help steady an arthritic hand a lot.

[@katzmosestools]

I can't wait to see what you create bud!

[@andrewgibbons8159]

Great video thank you. !! Really appreciate it.

[@gregoryraiewski]

Awesome work, again! I definitely appreciate the explanation about where to place saw teeth in the knife line. That's always my biggest obstacle when hand cutting dovetails. I usually cut far away from the line with the saw and then mess it up with chisels!

[@katzmosestools]

Once I cut my tails I never change the shape of them. Cut your tails then adjust your pins to fit.

[@gregoryraiewski]

Katz-Moses Woodworking Shop ooh I meant tails. Gotta work on the nomenclature too haha. Anyway, killer content as always. You’re a powerhouse in this space man!

[@katzmosestools]

@@gregoryraiewski thanks brother!

[@paulcompton123]

Exceptional work.

[@scottstennes6983]

Watched this.. practiced. Failed. Watched again... practiced. Not too bad. Tonight watched for third time... hope tomorrow’s practice session produces dovetails that I can be proud of!

[@katzmosestools]

I can't wait to see what you create!

[@ihadabadday7709]

Thank You , Mr. Katz - Moses, Hope this is your best year ever!!!

[@SymbiotAlpha]

came here for joint of the week not what I was expecting but I did need some help with my shitty dovetails so it worked out.

[@philipswain4122]

Great tips. Thanks for posting

[@acapp3004]

Nice video...learned a lot.

[@darwinpaz4774]

Great video I will bookmark for reference! Cut my first two sets which were very rough. Purchased your guide which is absolutely fantastic and made all the difference in the world for me. I keep my incremental attempts so I can see the progression, and you can see a great leap in perfection once I bought your jig. With the addition of the tips and tricks in this video I am closing in on some nice looking joints. Thanks so much for the training aids and videos!

[@katzmosestools]

I really appreciate the kind words my friend! I can't wait to see what you create

[@jlucas42]

Excellent comprehensive guide and the inspiration that I needed to get started! I just picked up a dovetail jig from your store, so hopefully sometime later this week I'll get to try it out!

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

SCOOP OUT THE MIDDLE. Omg. Thank you.

[@stufarnham]

Easily the best tip I picked up from this video was using the set of your dovetail saw teeth to set your saw kerf to sone side or the other of your line. Genius! Why has no other dovetail video I have watched mentioned this???

[@rodneybosch7290]

Well I'm going to try it.

[@stevecunningham936]

Just got your jig can't wait to try it!

[@simonmurray2002]

I've been watching your videos for a while now and recently have started woodworking again for the first time since I was in school (nearly 20 years ago). I watched this and went off full of confidence and made the worst abomination of dovetails. However, I enjoyed making that mess and will go back tonight and try again. I WILL make a decent hand-cut dovetail if it kills me. Keep up the great content and I will keep trying to follow the steps on your joint of the week. :-)

[@katzmosestools]

You got this bud. A little practice and you'll get it in no time. Cheers!

[@simonmurray2002]

@@katzmosestools Thanks man, I worked on another 2 or 3 joints. I did change from mahogany to lime (which I'm sure helped) and I got a fairly decent dovetail with a strong hold and minimal gaps. Also, your tutorial on setting up the hand plane was an awesome help too. Keep up the good work!

[@seanelucero]

love your channel

[@JkCanvas]

I have bought all but the frett saw and low angle jack plane.

[@smoogleville8201]

Masterful dovetailing -love the rabbetting idea - inspiring stuff.

[@Vman7757]

Wow thanks for sharing. I love watching your Videos.

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks Vincent!

[@ManCrafting]

How do you get out so much high quality content so quick? Great tips as always.

[@katzmosestools]

12 hrs days starting at 430 am hahaha

[@ManCrafting]

Katz-Moses Woodworking Shop I hear you. Mines at least that, just not getting time to film and I’m not doing videos on production. Not interesting to anyone.

[@shurley96]

I haven't made a dovetail since I was 15 in woodwork class! Any time any of the guys used the sawdust and glue technique our teacher gave out to us - funny to see how it's actually a legitimate thing!

[@carldowling9975]

5:15, Why do you size the divider 1/8 inch side pin dimension off the square rule, why don’t you set the divider 1/8 inch from the 1inch and 1/4 divider holes which you’ve already created the 2 x 1/8 inch pins after you walked the divider? Then you know for sure you’ve got the same pin size, plus it reduces the need for an extra measuring step off a rule if you have or haven’t got an indented rule. Great channel, thanks for the knowledge share.

[@itsblowecuz]

You and Chris would be amazing together!!!!!! This video is perfect timing so I can start on the challenge 🤗

[@katzmosestools]

I can't wait to see what you create bud!

[@jonikuhn2441]

Great tip on taking the set of the teeth into account. I never heard that before, looks like I have to give dovetails a try again.

[@katzmosestools]

Go get'em Joni!

[@johnletham161]

Another great video mate i always learn a lot cheers

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks John!

[@Expedient_Mensch]

About the saw dust trick; You need to be sure that the species of wood you are using does not go black or dark blue when you mix it with water based glues. I have had that happen to me a few times, especially with gum tree woods and it's a real bummer on an otherwise great piece.

[@purje7]

Discovered your channel recently, really informative and entertaining content, thank you!

[@trueleyes]

Oh by the way; I just received your dovetail guide today and I already did some work with it. What a difference. Great Tool! Thanks.

[@stefanopatteri5171]

Just get mine dovetail jig!!!

[@designer-garb572]

Excellent clear instructions as always, one day soon I will try this.

[@andywaterman1285]

Yeah Noah

[@colinhawkins8265]

This video makes me want to go cut my first dovetails.

[@katzmosestools]

GO!

[@russellmckay8896]

I just bought your dovetail jig today. I have some structure damage in my hand, that makes cutting pretty difficult. I'm really excited and can't wait until I get your jig in so I can see if it will help me.

[@0ddSavant]

I’m in that boat, how’d it work out for you?

[@russellmckay8896]

@@0ddSavant it worked pretty well for me. I just have to be careful and not cut into the jig. It was worth the money

[@0ddSavant]

@Russell - Decent, thank you. I was on the fence & I think you’ve convinced me. The Veritas offering is almost twice the cost, and has a fiddly little clamping knob that looks like it would be more of an inconvenience than a selling point for me. I like the KM dovetail marker is straightforward - not simple - but not trying to be a Swiss Army knife either. Thanks for response!

[@dudeguy8351]

stay safe in the shop, wonderful message.

[@timbarry5080]

I love that scribe line. It looks great on the wood you used. I've seen it done before but never did it. Next time I will. Great video. Thank you. Also, I had a book by a famous Japanese woodworker who you no doubt know but who's name escapes me. He showed a corner joint where there was full end grain on both sides. Please consider doing that in a video. This way I can live vicariously through you as I never got around to trying it. Thank you.

[@TrevorDennis100]

That was really useful. Thanks for the tips.

[@jpmorphhilson]

Solid woodworker here. Subscribed!

[@katzmosestools]

Welcome my friend!

[@TheTranq]

Well, time to give it a go!

[@thump72]

Thank you, the tricks and tips help.

[@katzmosestools]

My pleasure Daniel!

[@2102jeffrey]

That was excellent. Big learning here.