Aahh!, the wonderful dovetail joint.
What is it about the dovetail joint that it seems to have such mystique these days? In the past, it was just a standard every day method of jointing timber. Maybe it is the prevalence of new technologies and techniques better suited to mass production, man-made panel products and flatpacking which has lead to the growing fascination for this traditional joint. Most woodworkers creating dovetail joints nowdays use screaming routers aided by finely machined metal router jigs to cut these joints. Sure, they are sharp and crisp joints, but the journey is just not the same... there is something wonderful about using your hands and traditional hand tools to make a nice dovetail joint. If you are interested in how to cut these joints by hand, I invite you to follow through the process and come with me on the journey. Half-blind dovetails on the top edge of some sheoak bedside cabinets under construction. I am one of those people who does not own a dovetailing rout...