Struggle with dovetails? Try this band saw jig!

This is how I cut dovetails when I was a new woodworker- It works!
When you use this link to visit our sponsor, you support us►
Harvey Woodworking Machinery: www.harveywoodworking.com/
Bridge City Tools multi-tool► bridgecitytools.com/products/...
Subscribe (free) to Stumpy Nubs Woodworking Journal e-Magazine► www.stumpynubs.com/subscribe.html
Follow us on social media►
Instagram: / stumpynubs
Twitter: / stumpynubs
Facebook: / stumpy-nubs-woodworkin...

[@AndreaArzensek]

7:26 was 100% done on purpose just to make sure we are paying attention to what he says. Sadly he had to cut the tails again to make that perfect fit at the end. James your videos are brilliant and I learn something new with every one of them. Greetings from Croatia

[@leorumley8132]

If my woodwork teacher at school had been half as good at teaching and had your patience, I would have learnt a lot more and had more interest in woodwork, I've learnt more in a couple of weeks watching this channel than I did in all my time in school, , many many thanks.

[@froggore52]

The precision with which you describe and show the process is incredibly satisfying.

[@fredpierce6097]

Comprehensive and clear instructions in this video. I particularly liked the suggestion about withdrawing from the baseline of the bandsaw cut by “leaning towards the waste side of the cut line in order to avoid gaps. The Devil is always in the details when it comes to joinery! 👺

[@bluewren65]

So concise, so clear, so practical. All your videos are pure gold.

[@cavtvs]

Jim Hamilton's encouraging, and motivational teachings are, simplicity at its best; which translates to, 'getting it right first time' - that's all we ever aim to achieve. Thanks, Jim!!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us James, always nice to see your input on different ways of making it work. Fred.

[@juleswebb1885]

These days, after watching hundreds of woodworking videos i tend to only gain snippets of juicy information now and then, but this was a great video.. the ramps idea is really good. Thanks.

[@SawdustmakerLori]

GREAT tips, thank you so much for sharing them with us! I'm anxious to give it a try.

[@johnroth8275]

This is the quality of teaching that I find so helpful. Thanks for this one especially.

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Great advise there James, will save this one for future reference.

[@edkesling917]

You answered all my questions. Thanks you are the instructor I always needed!!

[@nobuckle40]

If only I had a band saw! Great and simple jig that can produce great results. Thanks James.

[@Sebastopolmark]

VERY well done Mr Nubbs. All of your videos are well thought out and you speak to the point which gives us a good joint! !! !!!

[@eln74]

This is an amazing jig that can save time and effort and still be precise at the cut.

[@davidmcgrath6507]

You are an excellent teacher!

[@fattoamanowoodwork3638]

Thank you, great video! really appreciated.

[@Hinkleshop]

Such a simple solution to a complex joint love it!

[@michaelrabey5110]

Your fantastically calm and knowledgable demeanour is both refreshing and confidence inspiring. Can’t wait to try these techniques. Great tutorial vids.

[@timothydaniels504]

James, you are the master explainer of all things woodworking. I’ve seen this demonstrated by well meaning instructors but I always end up scratching my head. Many thanks.

[@SteveZodiac777]

Excellent tutorial - thanks for sharing!

[@WoodenItBeNice]

Hi James, These jigs are brilliant. I rarely have had success with hand cutting Dovetails, for the reasons you stated. These jigs should sort that out when I need to cut them in the future. Great video James. Cheers, Huw

[@paulspencer7401]

Thankyou for that information, I was struggling with how to cut the angles on the bandsaw for the reason you stated. the bandsaw only tilts in one direction. Brilliant.

[@57RGilbert]

You give me hope that I can do dovetail joints. Thank you.

[@joen3812]

Awesome! I shall try this soon with my newly acquired band saw.

[@tj4bats100]

As usual a very welcome tutorial thank you.

[@kiwdwks]

Great video/tips & tricks! Thank you!

[@katherynlamarche7308]

Stumpy i watch you all time you are so informative i have been woodworking for 30 years and still feel that i have so much to learn And you do that big time . Thanks and keep it up please. Julien Lamarche

[@WHATAGIRLWANTS2009]

Fantastic explanation and demonstration. Thanks

[@wisewoodworking2739]

I've been using this method for awhile and it works great. Except, I clamp the ramp in place, and use a speed square as a fence for the workpiece to slide along to stay square to the blade. Also, those two angled pieces for making the ramp, I cut a third to use like a table saw taper jig sliding along the fence when cutting the tails.

[@leehaelters6182]

Tim, I do the same, we’re of a mind.

[@haroldgolden5437]

Wow! I had never seen or thought of doing this. Thank you!

[@mcorrade]

Very cool. Never thought of using my bandsaw for thios. In my shop, the bandsaw is the most used tool and now even more :)

[@markforrestsm]

Thanks James, nicely put and explained! regards, Mark (South Africa)

[@kasper7106]

this jig works great. I have been using this method for a couple years now

[@brokin6]

Another great video sir! Thank you for this.

[@dpbjlee83]

Thank You - always learn something new

[@scottsimpey2965]

Great information there. I would have never thought of using a bandsaw to make dovetails. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@davidglenn1965]

Excellent content, excellent delivery. Great work Stumpy!

[@craftie6ix196]

Ha just used your bandsaw technique, which you explained mega well, and even me who I learn by making mistakes managed it without making one. Top man and really enjoy your vids.

[@WindRidgeWoodCrafts]

Very cool, James. Thanks for sharing this technique. I had never seen that before.

[@gschnaper]

Thanks! Great tips!

[@JkCanvas]

thank you for sharing and look forward to trying this out.

[@thomasalison6188]

Excellent tip! Thanks!

[@Danny_Zeledon]

The way you explain everything makes it look so easy and understandable at first. I would definitely subscribe as I am starting and learning from a great video is always good!!

[@seemorevid1]

Very nice! I am mostly a lathe guy, but do some flat work. Never been ablw to do dovetails, infrequent need also. This tutorial will definirtely help, I am gonna try it! Thank you!

[@tomjojo849]

as always a good presentation

[@talltimberswoodshop7552]

Thank you, James. I'll try the bandsaw method.

[@budlloyd3127]

I think I'll try this one! thanks for the tip!

[@hawkeye10100]

Great learning video. Thanks

[@momostayzanko2078]

Really great job many thanks

[@multis]

Thank you for the tips.

[@SteveC38]

You always make it look so easy!

[@mayvalauzon5060]

What a great video I just enjoyed the sleds you crafted and the dovetail square, great job

[@breakinn403]

Great advice.

[@birseyleryap]

very good tips as usual

[@tacotes16]

Good video like always, good content! Cheers!

[@JSH1515]

Great video. Thanks!

[@dennismacwilliams196]

What a great way to make the cuts... Video was also real nice...

[@denisbarry958]

Great video and love the jig . I’m learning to cut by hand also. I also use a Leigh jig and a wood rat

[@brianlasch144]

Fantastic and timely content James, I needed this as I have to make a creamation urn and wanted to dovetail it.

[@arth.4196]

Excellent jig example

[@PerrynBecky]

Now this is a simple, straight forward tutorial with a simple jig to help make these cuts on a bandsaw. I just watched one guy's tutorial where he uses 2 complex jigs (one for the pins, the other for the tails), and at the end of the day, he still needed a coping saw and chisel to finish the job, and the results weren't near as crisp as yours. I really love your channel, your woodworking tips have helped me make a beautiful hutch for my wife, but I am trying to figure out a good plan on how to make a complex angle cut for making a lighthouse for my garden. If you have a video on how to do that, I would greatly appreciate the link. I know that a hexagon needs 30 degree angles, where an octagon needs 22.5 degree angles, but what trips me up, is making the "cone" shape part of it where it is equal on the opposing sides and avoiding any gaps. I was hoping to make a jig or even 2 if needed that would give me that complex angle for each board. Thanks in advance.

[@woodroofguy]

Good and helpful video. Thanks!

[@donbrowning689]

Great vid as usual👍

[@criswilson1140]

Nice tip with the ramp.

[@edma812]

Loved that jig. Let's start cutting dovetails on the bandsaw. 👍

[@Yawles]

Truly this must qualify as on-line education by the Federal Dept of Education! Thank you, James!

[@ridercoachdanielle3220]

Right? If James had been a math teacher, I wouldn't still (at age forty-one) be having the occasional nightmare that I'm in an advanced math class, I haven't shown up for half of it, I don't understand or care about ten percent of it, AND exams are next week.

[@vdmaker9662]

Neat jig, and clear instruction. You should make a video comparison of all possible ways of making dovetails, maybe challenge the crowd to invent a new one 😉

[@TurkiAU]

Awesome 👍

[@dlwatib]

Pantorouter! Perfect dovetails every time.

[@TinSandwichUK]

Clamping a straight edged piece of wood to the table behind the blade and at 90 degrees to it (left to right on the table) will give you an accurate and dependable stop when removing the waste in the dovetails and between pins. I always set this gap to be anywhere between a 32nd and a 16th than the thickness of the pieces and then clean these protrusions flat to the surface after gluing up for a much neater finish, especially if you have a few chipped corners on the pins, as is prone when using plywood.

[@RICHat22]

Second!!! Thanks for your videos.

[@jimaspinii7579]

Thanks for the router use!

[@1barron]

I am going to try this on the next set of drawers I need.

[@smokeybailey3080]

Thank you I want to use my on boards so that works good for me

[@scottc3626]

Eagerly awaiting a Harvey c-14 review😀

[@brucelee3388]

Best description of cutting dovetails on a bandsaw I have come across. Most of the other descriptions, either in print or video, are all blah-blah-I'm great-handwavium-finished and leave a lot of details out.

[@paisaconstructiondavid1964]

Okay thanks I had not seen this before. I may just have to try it.

[@toddvillano7994]

That was very interesting. It shows a little time spent on making a jig helps turn out a good end product.

[@joelegrand5903]

Three ways to make dovetails. Good video.

[@PrincessTS01]

you make me wish i had a band saw

[@jodyrohde6938]

James, great video. I didn’t see your link to your hand-cutting dovetails video though.

[@ibdavidc]

How did you know I just bought a bandsaw? Great video, and one I can use.

[@CaliberFiftyVideos]

The first thing that comes to my mind is: add two clamps to hold the workpiece securely onto the jig, don't rely on "wood on another wood" friction. Also, holding something bigger, where the workpiece is attached to, makes for easier tiny and fine adjustments while cutting. Otherwise this is a pretty simple to make, yet very effective, jig.

[@danasmith8950]

agreed. I have a piece of wood at the lower edge to hold the workpiece against. Also thinking of adding sandpaper. The less you have to worry about the workpiece moving, the more you can concentrate on getting the cut right.

[@w4baham]

Excellent video! Have you made and used the "wedge" jig on your bandsaw and cut the tails first?

[@matsadler1119]

Hi James. Thanks for these tips! Can you pls make a video about design of table bases? There are hundreds ov videos on how to make a table top and very many put metal legs on them. Yes mortise and tenon solutions can be found, but I miss something more on general. How to make a good design. Tapering angles, legs turned 45 deg, legs tilted... How to make them strong?? 🌞 🌞

[@jimbeaver27]

awesome, been meaning to try dovetails on the bandsaw and I got two bandsaws, was thinking keep one at 90 and the other at dovetail angle, then no jig needed

[@StumpyNubs]

You still have to tilt the table back and forth between the right and left slope. The ramp is faster and easier. I would put a narrow blade on one saw for curves and a wide one on the other for cutting straight lines and resawing.

[@mikecurtin9831]

Clever idea. Not seen this before. Thumbs up to crush a troll.

[@WoodWorkTherapy]

Love the video! Great concept. I did have a question though. When you remove the waste, couldn't you do a second pass when cutting the dovetails to remove the waste nearest the edge to make it so you can do a straight cut across? Or is there something that can cause damage to the edges if you do that? I have never tried this so not a critique. Just wondering if that might make it easier for waste removal in the final stages.

[@larryleitner8658]

Great video, what size blade are you using in Your saw?

[@gilbertomanzanilla4333]

Man u are a genius, never thought u could cut this with a bandsaw so perfect. You deserve an extra cold one, you earned it my friend👌

[@poppy.fishing]

That was a great video! I will definitely be trying this one out soon. Thanks

[@smellygoatacres]

I like how he assumes we all have bandsaws with a 6" clearance to the roller guide.

[@StumpyNubs]

Not every technique is for every person.

[@EMOxxSLAYERx]

You can also use the ramp as a wedge against the fence to your tails

[@StumpyNubs]

If you have a well set up saw without drift, sure.

[@philclennell]

I have a feeling there's a way to cut the tails accurately using a suitable 1 to 6 wedge and the bandsaw fence - straight cuts guaranteed. But yeah, the angles do tax the brain!

[@garycarpenter2932]

was wondering about dove tails. hands aren't what they used to be, shoulders are held together with pins, rope, glue, and duct tape of course. now that's a way I can still do them... thanks!

[@ChristopherClaudioSkierka]

Hi there, a slight off tangent question but have you ever heard of Silkwood? it is a hard wood i think from South America.

[@alexyusupov7132]

Hi James. What is the size of the blade you are using on your Harvey band saw to cut dove tails? Thanks

[@robertsantos4128]

what table saw would you suggest. SawStop or Harvey?

[@navret1707]

I do not have a band saw. Could this jig be used with a saber saw on a table? BTW, my joints are usually too tight. A couple aspirin do the trick. I’ll show myself out. 👋