Wedge Jig for Cutting Consistent & Symmetrical Dovetails on a Bandsaw

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Chapters
0:00 - Dovetail Angle
5:24 - Making the Jig
9:38 - Using the Jig
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[@TJ-vv9dl]

I know your other content is very popular but as a intermediate woodworker I’m stoked for you getting back in the shop. Hope to see some furniture/projects!

[@mcremona]

I still enjoy making these more. Thanks!

[@ianchappell4199]

I am a retired Joiner and woodwork Therapist. My client/patients were always delighted when they made their first dovetailed box, for whatever purpose. You are a first rate tutor Matt, and I wish you well......

[@littlehousewoodworking5292]

Been loving your big project series for the house and barn, but do really miss these pro tips, jigs, and other simple shop content. Great camera work on catching different perspectives of the process. Tedious, I'm sure, but worth it. Thanks!

[@grantman1148]

I made Stumpy's pin sled and will be making your tail jig to match. Nice video, Matt. Thanks.

[@kurtc6372]

Mahogany is my favorite wood. Love the shimmer it has, its color, the grain,it’s hardness, everything about it. Can’t believe you’ve never worked with it.

[@kenc2257]

Neat. I appreciate your thought process behind the angled jig.

[@garyhome7101]

Back to woodworking! Glad to see it and exactly the jig I've been contemplating!

[@tomdenny8507]

It's nice to see you back in the shop.

[@ehRalph]

I would like to cut dovetails on a project one of these days, your simple bandsaw jig method looks like a winner!! Great explanation !!

[@scott8351]

Thanks for sharing this Matt. Great instruction.

[@charlier7711]

This was amazing! Thanks Matt!

[@rickluxenberg6812]

Thank you for showing us your methods of dovetail joints. I will try this myself.

[@wrecks2007]

Excellent and concise explanation of a usable process. Thanks for sharing.

[@marcelg1157]

Love how simpel it can be, thanks for reminding

[@Sebastopolmark]

Thanks Matt. It's a lot of work putting together a video like this. Every minute that was invested was worth it, from our perspective. Thanks! !! !!!

[@RXRSawdustStation]

Good to have ya back in the shop, #MassiveMatt! Wild multi-camera editing work there! 😉 Excellent exhibition of a tool I will need in the near future! Thanks!

[@cnickrem2]

Excellent video. Love your laid-back approach. Makes videos and woodworking more fun! Thanks!

[@johnnation713]

That looks so simple and easy, thank you so much for the tip and showing all of us how you get your pins done. Thanks so much for sharing Matt😊👍

[@danaskubic2145]

A nice simple jig,thanks for sharing. Great video Matt, also enjoyed last night's happy hour. Have a good weekend.

[@leighvrooman2824]

Thanks for the information. Always a better way to do something and you can always learn.

[@charlesparker924]

As an apprentice wood machinist i love these videos matt. Thank you

[@osvaldocristo]

I have used that method for tails for some years but I also made a jig to cut the pins in the band saw as you mentioned. It works great.

[@richdoty839]

Matt welcome back!! Lol, i was entertained by the house and industrial building but so glad to see you back woodworking. I haven't messed around with dovetails but not i feel inspired to give it a try this way.

[@gayle4804]

Great information for people that do woodworking. I just like watching it done

[@slyfox7429]

Love your teaching method. I always thought dove tails were very difficult without one of those fancy jigs and a router. Now I see there are many ways to make a dovetail and as you point out, there is no wrong way to make one. Kinda like drinking good bourbon... neat. rocks, splash of water you drink it however you like it.

[@bobhally2951]

Matt, Thanks for another great tutorial.

[@sureshot311]

Awesome video. I learned something today. Thank you.

[@danieldurkton2942]

Excellent video Matt, thanks going to give it a try!! PS Happy New Years

[@chrispelletier3661]

Love your way of expressing and explaining!!!

[@artconnolly9519]

I'm impressed you were able to squeeze a 20 min video out of a flat scrap triangle!! all jokes aside I love your content brother keep up the good work ;)

[@jimbartley9125]

Very interesting method. Thanks

[@dennisbeaver5958]

A unique approach and an entertaining episode! Thank you!

[@brentfowler2317]

Awesome work Matt!

[@lloydprunier4415]

Thanks for showing this! My late Dad always wanted to make dove-tail joints and now I understand why. I will try this with his old Craftsman band saw I have kept in operating condition and I bet he would have really enjoyed watching your videos if there had been internet and You Tube 60 years ago I sure do!

[@ifiwooddesigns]

Simple but brilliant! Love these “why didn’t I think of that” method. I think a fence jig on tablesaw would be great with a couple of clamps for safety. Keep up the great work!

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

Love it. A couple of years ago I cut all of the parts to make a machinist's chest, but never finished it because the sheer number of dovetails was overwhelming. Maybe making this jig will motivate me to finish the chest.

[@stevestamper3509]

Great tutorial video. Keep `um coming!

[@bobwebberkc]

I’ve been tuning for years and love your content but seeing you back in the shop is just “plane” fun! Thank you Matt

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@Arational]

Who knew you did woodworking? It's been so long. New subs must only know you as a sawyer of logs, a builder of barns and additions and a blower of snow. Cheers

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great video Matt! Thank you for sharing it with us!💖👍😎JP

[@NV..V]

Thank you Wood Jesus! Another great video....

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

YES! Woodworking!!! Thanks Matt! 😃👊

[@willowstudios323]

Great video Matt, it’s great to see how others go about making dovetails in the most efficient way, I tend to use a router with a fence and free hand route the tails , I’ve also done a video how I go about it over on my channel!

[@gregwitkamp5583]

Thanks for sharing

[@justbartee]

Great teaching..... Makes me want to get back in the shop

[@HWCism]

I am impressed. Your camera work is good also. Thanks

[@radzyminskikw1]

This was a good and useful video. Thanks. Camera angle jump cut game on point 🔥

[@williamhanna5224]

Awesome video Great work !

[@scottshawwoodworking1752]

Matt thank you for your video. Until now I have given up on “hand cut” dovetails. I like your simple jig and your instructions. Heading out to the shop to try your method. Thank you Scott

[@mcremona]

Awesome!

[@James_Hande]

Nice informative video Matt, Thank you! Years ago I picked up a quality dovetail jig from a yard sale for cheap. A nice purchase I must say. 😉

[@coveryou5]

I learned something today going to be a good day!!!

[@Gforceracing20]

Very informative! Thanks Matt.

[@Markw8480]

How did i not think of this!genius,,,,i like your attitude,,just get it done the way that works for you👌🏻

[@renmcl6585]

Thank you

[@phooesnax]

Thank You Matt. Excellent

[@robertr4193]

Some good informative information.

[@timothyball3144]

That may be the simplest and most useful jig ever. Cut an angle that's close to what you want, then screw a scrap on the end to be cut off to length. Then, the simple usefulness of it in making repeatable cuts is fantastic. I also appreciate that you stress how much 'close is good enough' because you use your results to mark out further steps.

[@karlmoderna]

Best dovetails tutorial by far

[@berksoaks4340]

That's legit, I'll use it, thanks for the lesson!

[@natswoodshop940]

Love your vana hand display!

[@keithclark1863]

Good one Matt. Way easier than all hand cut dovetails. Thanks mate. Kmdc

[@steverochon1620]

Happy anniversary to you and your wife, Matt.

[@InspireWoodcraft]

I love the not so subtle nod to the know-it-alls. I’ve been watching a few of the old episodes of New Yankee Workshop now that they’re on the KZbins and I can’t help but think “wow, what if Norm had to deal with a comment section?” 😂

[@karaDee2363]

Very interesting video Matt, a woodshop teacher could learn some lessons from you... You covered making a jig and cutting the tails very well, I just wish you finished up and showed how you cut the pins and final assembly..

[@michaelcornwell9255]

Cool, Matt ! I bought a jig for multiple cuts, and your video helps me understand how to do curs with it ! Thanks 🤝🙋 Michael 🪶🛶🏹

[@TR-rz1xt]

Don't let Lindsay catch you cursing... 🤣🤣😲

[@bavondale]

1:25 lol 1:37 nice DP ad 18:02 reminds me of Bob Ross "There are no mistakes, just happy accidents"

[@estebanbarbalarga4776]

Thanks

[@Chillituber]

What ever works for you seems to be working well!

[@DogwoodStudio]

I just used this method for a commissioned piece, and it worked great. The only alterations I made were: It was on 16-in wide boards, so I was able to get five of the fence setups done as shown, and for the other three I had to put the block on the other end of the tapered piece. I added sandpaper to the mating edge of the jig to help keep it steady. I used a spare piece of wood to lay out the dovetails and get the fence setup each time, since there was some trial and error. And I added a stop clamped to the table on the back side of the blade so I wouldn't cut past my baseline. Michael Fortune demonstrated that in Fine Woodworking issue 270. He has a pretty extensive article on bandsaw dovetails, but I like the simplicity of Matt's jig.

[@oldkingcrow777]

This is one of those "shoulda had a v8" moments hehe. I love it. It happens all throughout life, but I've noticed for me, construction/carpentry type tricks, especially with wood/measurements it happens all the time. Where you can't conceive something until you've seen it. We all have our own "obvious" things that just clicked naturally from experiences, but with jigs I often laugh at how I didn't think of that

[@jonstuartjon3]

Making this tomorrow 🤞🤞🤞

[@albatigris3582]

I'm a first timer of your videos. This is such a beautiful simple little jig, thanks for sharing. An added bonus would be a stop clamped to the fence for consistent depth to the joint. Thanks again.

[@mcremona]

You’d want it on the table directly behind the blade. The stop point on the fence will vary based on the fence’s distance from the blade. Thanks!

[@GregsGarage]

Great info Matt! I like the simplicity of the idea... There are a lot of folks who over think these operations.

[@mcremona]

Thanks Greg!

[@jonstuartjon3]

"Do what you want..." He's sick of us, y'all 🤣🤣🤣

[@richardthornhill4630]

Good technique.

[@michaelcima5772]

I agree. The 1:6 or 1:8 gives the same results in soft and hardwoods. The only reason I choose one or the other depends on the look I am going for.

[@bighammer3464]

I’m going to follow your instructions to a T and do my own thing 😂

[@Mouse2677]

Finish the mating dovetail in another session and show how you match them!! Thanks the great Tip!!

[@fredpierce6097]

Your point about keeping things fresh and interesting by means of diverse ways of creating a DT joint is totally valid. Boston Celtics Legend Larry Bird would switch back and forth from right hand to left hand shooting as a means of stimulating his best efforts per his own revelation……

[@rroades]

I love Rob Cosman’s technique but I may never get the muscle memory to assemble dovetails off the saw, but it is a goal. In the meantime, I really enjoy seeing these methods going back to David Marks. Don’t recall if Norm ever did it like this. Thanks!!

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@keithward2565]

Great info. I've been wanting to do some "hand cut dovetails" for some time but it just seems to require great precision. I will have to try this method. BTW all that camera angle shot swapping made me just a bit dizzy but great cinematography.

[@williammaxwell1919]

Add a vertical to the fence side and a stop as you had, clamp it to the fence in the appropriate location so that as you slide the timber past the jig, the bandsaw blade will consistently cut the same depth

[@167curly]

I recall seeing very old chests etc which has ornate dovetails which were curved. Cabinet makers would have their own brass jigs which were really unique to each man.

[@butchlandry1266]

😳. A woodworking video!!!

[@mcremona]

😆😆

[@michaelslade5747]

Elegant!! 16:40

[@w4baham]

Excellent video! Have you made a jig to cut the pins on the bandsaw that you can show us, even though you cut your pins with dovetail saw and chisels?

[@idlsjay]

🤯 I blown away- you’ve never worked with Mahogany. Not like the are forests of Honduran mahogany in Minnesota though… with your skill set you will get along famously if yo can find any reasonably priced. Happy woodworking

[@Aeidotronics]

I got a chuckle with the camera changes during the talking portions.

[@realpdm]

Thanks for sharing this. Very nice 'hybrid' technique to get these done efficiently. Also, DID YOU KNOW your logo is DOVETAILS? I've been watching you for years YEARS and I just noticed this! OMG.

[@artlee7415]

Great video. Might have to try dovetails. Sure you don't want to make that other sled? I'd watch that and I'm sure many others would too

[@josephattard9250]

Great video, I'm assuming that cutting the pins using the same jig.

[@randypowell4799]

Matt, your thoughts on your bandsaw blade you use. Thanks for video.

[@martyn1678]

i appreciate you renamed your thicknesser propery, its as thicknesser not a planer, like the "jointer" is actually a surface plane or surfacer. That shit does my head in lol

[@CoupleofBunkies]

My wife and I make similar woodworking projects on our channel. We wish we had a shop like yours. We made a laptop desk with dovetail joinery but we used a jig. We are a very small channel. we will appreciate it if you can give us some pointers.

[@chrisd3648]

He’s back in the shop! How long has it been?

[@russe11she11y]

That’s a very interesting dovetail saw, who made it? As always, I enjoyed the video. Thanks!

[@janmendoza2263]

Dam you Mark. Now I can’t stop thinking about Bruno

[@vasileiosbitas1794]

Great to see you back at the shop and at it. Love the jig idea, especially if you have to batch up a bunch of them. Would it make sense to make the jig taller, and stack the boards one on top of the other to make 3 or four at once, or would the accuracy drop? PS. Look at you big spender just casually using the J&J wax for jigs! 😂😂😂

[@leomania]

Enjoyed the video, Matt. Thanks for putting it together. One thing I noticed that I'm curious about on your bandsaw - the blade deflects backwards a LOT while cutting. Do you intentionally keep the bearing behind the blade far from it? If I did the same, the blade teeth would eat into my side guides which would be no bueno.