Watch this BEFORE cutting dovetails

Dovetails are stupid and elitist. There. I said it. But if you're going to cut them, you might as well know all of your options.

Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this video please consider supporting my channel by subscribing and hitting that notification bell. It really helps small channels like mine.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Items I use in this video (some are affiliate links which help sponsor this content):

Items I keep on hand in the shop:
Glue:

Power Tools and Accessories:

Sharpening:

My Finish Mix:

TotalBoat Epoxy:

You can stay up to date with my work here:

[WoodcraftBySuman]

I always say: the wood does not give a sh*t what you use to cut it. Most customers don't either.

[jeffdutton]

I choose to cut dovetails by hand for a number of reasons: because I can, because I am confined to a very small shop with poor dust control, because it's quieter, because I don't have to meet any production deadlines (I'm not doing this for a living), and mostly because I find it very satisfying.

[ajdapozzo]

I seriously love your channel. I've been woodworking now for about a year, and your content is an order of magnitude better than many other woodworking channels with 100k+ subscribers. I am grateful to have this glimpse into your world and acquired knowledge. Thank you for your time and effort in producing this content and sharing an honest opinion.

[mikeamboy]

Thin pins? Been there done that. What broke me of that laborious task is watching Frank Klaus say “if my grandfather had a router he would have used a router!”

[thewestendwoodworker]

Man, your design process is so inspiring! Thanks for letting us get a glimpse inside your thought process on this piece.

[joehart]

Love the brushed Hitachi router (need more detail please).
Love the way you don't crack out Festool for everything.
Love the thought process on the symmetry v asymmetry of the dovetails

[pilotalan]

Recently found your channel. I absolutely love your mix of philosophy and woodworking. Lots of good information, no BS or fluff, and great insight into your mindset. I've learned so much from your stuff already. Thank you!

[oldtop]

I'm still catching up on your videos. I like this one, because you don't beat up either side of this issue. I learned to cut dovetails by hand from...Roy Underhill on TV many years ago, followed by an hour master course from an Irish woodworker I met in Europe. I've cut them by hand ever since Roy's TV show in the mid-80s. At the time it was a matter of money and space, but even though I can afford a nice router jig now, and have the space, I get a lot of pleasure from doing the dovetails by hand.

IF I were doing this as an occupation though....yeah, I'd buy the jig in a New York minute! Time is money. Love how you go between hand and power tools, and know both exceptionally well!

Keep up the good work, and put out more videos!

[Tilburger]

What an amazing jig…. I thought it’s too expensive for hobby but I have to reconsider it maybe. Especially after seeking your video ‘stop buying festool’. :-)

It’s probably an investment lasting for years and dovetails are great for furniture.

Thanks for sharing.

[jayejaycurry]

Thanks for giving me things to consider, especially larger pins. I've thought about that but had some doubts. You've clear those up.

[paulruud]

So, throughout your video I was smiling. That sums up my reaction to your thoughts and presentation pretty well. I really enjoy your work. Thanks.

[deliaguzman]

It has never occurred to me to do anything but the traditional straight run of perfectly even and evenly spaced dovetails. And yet, you make me think—really think about what I can do to make a piece obviously mine, obviously thought out. Thanks for making me think!

[lincolndickerson]

Cool build thanks. There are million videos on hand cutting a dovetail. It was fun to see an interesting fancy jig. Thanks.

[DuncanEdwards.]

I use the D4R Pro, mainly as of my arthritis. It's great for inlaid dovetails

[JeffFontecchio]

I just can't get enough of you talking about and explaining concepts, great video as always. And keep that mug going!

[brucegibson]

I do enjoy your teaching methods. Even with all your skills you manage to bring to us in a matter where we (I) don't feel that I'm some dummy. I've learned a lot from you without the "You'll find this on shop for an extra $$" B.S.
Thanks

[radiokua]

Great stuff. Leigh jigs provide the best results--really awesome. Nice book matching!

[silamaleesri]

I like doing a mitred top dovetail joints I quite like looking down at a box and seeing mitred corners and if you put them on the bottom aswell you can hide grooves in the mitres for the base of the box

[lweismann]

I'm using my d4r pro to make a chest. After I did the tails, I dinged one of the fingers on the pins.

Instead of starting over or trying to reset with new pins, I'm cutting the pins by hand. Turns out it's a good compromise.

[pcfred]

That dovetail jig is nice. If I had it I'd be using it. I just have a round finger jig and it's a royal pain to use. It can only cut half blind joints not a through joint.