1. Mark the outline
2. Cut the shoulder
3. Chisel out the waste
4. Clean up with a #140 skew block plane against an angled fence
Sliding Dovetails
Cutting a sliding dovetail is basically just a variation of a dado.
One has a choice of making the tail/male section either single- or double sided. The example below is of a double-sided tail.
Basic plan of action - The tail (male) section is made with a saw and chisel, then cleaned up with either a #140 skew block plane (or shoulder plane) or a specialist dovetail plane (which has a sole angled to match the tail profile).
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1. Mark the outline |
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2. Cut the shoulder |
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3. Chisel out the waste |
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4. Clean up with a #140 skew block plane against an angled fence |
...or
use a dovetail plane
… and now on to the pin (female) section of the joint.
First mark out the pin from the outline of the tail.
Then cut the shoulders to depth with a backsaw against to a guide angled at 1:6
Cut through the centre to make it easier to the waste.
And now remove the waste with the router plane. You are going across the grain, so use the V blade.
If the pin section needs to be widened slightly, use a Stanley #79 side rabbet plane.
Finally fit the tail into the pin…
Regards from Perth
Derek