Even if you’ll use your saw mostly for run of the mill drawer dovetails, the longer length will give much straighter cuts, and be much faster. It will also help you to see square. Go for around the 10″ (250mm) mark. Maybe a little longer if you work thicker stuff.
How long should a dovetail saw be?
The 8 and 10 inch standard high handle hang dovetail saws with fairly shallow plates are, in my opinion, the nicest to use. 10 inches is the magic number for me for a dedicated dovetail saw, but I’m also quite fond of 11-12″. Anything shorter than 10″ always just felt too short dinky.
How do I choose a dovetail saw?
Like tenon saws, these can be brass or steel-backed, the main difference is that the steel-backed saws are lighter. You also want to make sure it has 15 PPI or more (slightly smaller teeth) and has a comfortable wooden handle. Paul likes the turned (inline) handle for cutting dovetails, as found on the gent’s saw.
What saw is best for dovetail joints?
Gent’s saws. A gent’s saw is a small, economically priced backsaw meant for general work. These saws are typically available in 6- to 10″-long versions, with teeth per inch (tpi) usually ranging from 12tpi to 22tpi. Although often configured for crosscutting, the teeth work fine for dovetailing.
What size saw is best for a tenon?
If you have a tiny tenon, like something that’s an inch across, you can use a 14″ sash saw for this. If its even smaller, use your 11 or 12″ carcass saw. But if you want to saw tenons, I recommend you buy a real tenon saw, something 16″ or greater.
How do I choose a dovetail saw?
Like tenon saws, these can be brass or steel-backed, the main difference is that the steel-backed saws are lighter. You also want to make sure it has 15 PPI or more (slightly smaller teeth) and has a comfortable wooden handle. Paul likes the turned (inline) handle for cutting dovetails, as found on the gent’s saw.
How long should a saw be?
Of the many types of hand saws out there of various lengths, the 26″ is the one that provides the most efficient cutting because it puts the most teeth to work over the distance of the typical human arm movement.
What are the measurements for a dovetail?
Fine work the pins 4mm > 6mm, larger work 7mm > 12mm. To have a desirable appearance the pins smaller than the tails. Your tails should be around 18mm > 35mm for fine work like drawers and 35mm > 55mm on larger work like a chest. Decide on your tail size remembering “One more tail than pin”.
What is the most popular dovetail?
1) Through Dovetail Also known as the plain dovetail, this is the most common and basic type of dovetail joint. Through interlocking tails and pins, this joint showcases consistent angles, revealing the wood’s end grains on external surfaces.
Is dovetail worth it?
Making sure that you pick a drawer joint that can withstand this type of wear and tear is crucial to the longevity of your kitchen cabinets. Dovetail joints are considered one of the strongest joints used in kitchen cabinetry construction and are the best solution for a kitchen cabinet drawer box.
What is special about a dovetail saw?
What is the difference between a gents saw and a dovetail saw?
The “Gent’s” Saw A small, general-purpose backsaw. It is similar to the dovetail saw, but often sharpened for crosscutting. It usually has a pistol-grip and can be anywhere from 6″ to 10″ long. It can be used for dovetailing, small crosscuts, etc.
Can you cut dovetails with a jigsaw?
Undoubtedly, you can do the basic cutting with anything that “will fit” and then refine with chisels. That includes a jig saw; preferably one like the Festool or top of the line Bosch that has blade guides.
What is the rule for tenon length?
But as a general guideline, make the tenon about 1⁄ 3 the total thickness of the tenoned workpiece, and about 1⁄ 2 – 2⁄ 3 as long as the width of the mortised workpiece. Though it’s not structurally necessary, cutting a shoulder adjacent to the rail’s edge as well as the face allows you to completely hide the mortise.
What is the tenon rule?
Tenon Width: This rule is two-fold. First, make the tenon one-half the width of the rail you’re cutting it on (a 2″- wide rail would get a 1″- wide tenon). Second: If that tenon’s width would be greater than six times its thickness, then you should split it into two (or more tenons).
How long should a tenon saw be?
Buying a Tenon Saw. Paul Sellers recommends a 12” tenon saw with 14-16 PPI. You can get brass-backed or steel-backed ones, the steel-backed saws are slightly lighter in weight so it is down to personal preference, however Paul says most experienced craftsman ultimately use a brass-backed.
What is the standard length of a hand saw?
Hand saws. Hand saws have a handle and a flexible metal saw plate with no rigid back or frame. Hand saws typically have the largest teeth of all the three types of saws and are generally used for quickly rough-cutting boards to length or width. They generally range in length anywhere from around 32 to 18 inches.
What is the minimum length of wood for a miter saw?
I’d prefer a minimum of 10 ft over an 8 ft length. You can also consider making the miter stand moveable with casters so that when the need for longer cuts arises you can move it slightly to get the clearing you need.
What is the length of a carcass saw?
Overall length, including handle, is 19″ (48.26cm), with an overall height of 4-7/8″ (12.38cm). Usable blade dimensions are 14″… This is the tapered version of the ever popular carcass saw.
How are dovetail cutters measured?
Overall length of dovetail router cutters The overall length of a cutter is measured from the top of the shank to the bottom of the cutting edges or guide (if there is one). Dovetail cutters range in length from 52mm (2″ approx.) to 80mm (3¼” approx.)
How do I choose a dovetail saw?
Like tenon saws, these can be brass or steel-backed, the main difference is that the steel-backed saws are lighter. You also want to make sure it has 15 PPI or more (slightly smaller teeth) and has a comfortable wooden handle. Paul likes the turned (inline) handle for cutting dovetails, as found on the gent’s saw.
What saw is best for precise cuts?
For precise crosscuts and miter cuts, a miter saw is an essential tool. It allows you to make angled cuts quickly and accurately, making it ideal for projects like framing, trim work, and picture frames. Look for a miter saw with a sturdy base, a sharp and reliable blade, and adjustable angles for maximum versatility.
What are the rules for dovetail design?
As a rule of thumb the dovetail’s maximum width should occupy approximately 1/ 2 to 3/ 4 of the gasket’s width (leaving a 1/ 4 – 1/ 8 of gasket width on each side). For larger gasket widths, multiple dovetails can be made side-by- side, facing the same direction or inverted.
What is the best angle for a dovetail?
Percy Blandford, who has been writing about woodworking for a long time, writes in “The Woodworker’s Bible” that any angle between 7.5° and 10° is acceptable. The ideal, he says, is 8.5° for softwoods and 7.5° when joining hardwoods.
What is a standard dovetail?
A series of pins cut to extend from the end of one board interlock with a series of ‘tails’ cut into the end of another board. The pins and tails have a trapezoidal shape. Once glued, a wooden dovetail joint requires no mechanical fasteners.
Is dovetail 11mm?
The standard 22 tip-off dovetail in the US is 3/8″ at the bottom and up to 1/2″ at the top. The European 11mm dovetail is typically 11mm at the top and perhaps 8mm at the bottom. The 11mm dovetail typically has a 60 degree angle from the bottom inside corner to the top where the 3/8″ is typically 45 degrees.
