Hand Cut Dovetails

PREREQUISITE: Hand Tools classes (Saws, Planes, and Chisels)

Learn to cut sturdy mortise and tenon joints and dovetails by hand using traditional, non-powered woodworking tools. You may sign up for classes individually or as a package.

SUNDAY, Nov 5: Mortise and Tenon

SUNDAY, Nov 12: Dovetails 

Session 1: Learn how to lay out and construct a through and a stopped mortise and tenon joint. You’ll learn a couple of methods to trim the tenon cheeks and mortise walls to achieve a perfect fit, and how to trim the tenon shoulders for a tight, gap-free fit against the mortise board. We will discuss tusk tenon, wedged, pegged, and draw bored mortise and tenon joints as well. 

Session 2: Learn how to lay out and construct both through and half-blind dovetail joints by hand.

Tuition per class: $100

Materials fee per class: $20

All tools will be provided for class. However, if you own any of the following tools, please bring them.

For Mortise and Tenons:

• Rip filed tenon saw
• Crosscut filed carcass saw
• 1/4" mortise chisel
• 1/4" and 3/4" bench chisels
• Combination square (12 inch)
• Marking knife
• Chisel mallet

For Dovetails:

• Dovetail saw or Japanese Dozuki
• Marking knife
• Smoothing plane (No. 4 or 4 ½)
• Marking gauge
• Combination square (12 inch)
• Sliding bevel gauge or dovetail gauge (1:8 ratio)
• Bevel edge bench chisel (1/4" or 3/8 ”)
• Chisel hammer or mallet