Handcutting Dovetails Tool List
Quantity |
Size/Grade |
Tool or Item |
Comments |
1 |
10 to 18 point |
Backsaw |
Crosscut or rip filing is o.k.
Avoid very thin backsaws, especially Japanese for they
do not work well for half-blind dovetails. |
1 |
|
Bevel |
|
1 |
|
Cabinet Scraper |
|
1 |
|
Carvers Mallet |
Round wooden type is best, the
rubber headed types are too "bouncy. Avoid hammer type
mallets. If you use Japanese chisels they are
traditionally driven with a heavy Japanese Barrel
Hammer |
1 |
|
Combination or Try Square |
The Starrett Combination square is
a good investment. |
1 |
4" to 6" |
Dividers |
Size refers to length of legs and
a small pair is better! |
1 |
12, 14 or 16 oz |
Hammer |
Standard claw or Japanese are
fine. |
1 |
|
Marking/Mortising Gauge |
Traditionally marking and
mortising gauges were separate tools but now days they
are combined into one tool for economy. If you have
separate marking and mortising, that is fine. |
1 |
|
Notepad |
|
1 |
chunk |
Paraffin Wax |
Canning wax is perfect and can be
found at most grocery stores |
1 |
|
Pencil |
|
1 |
|
Safety Glasses |
You must have a minimum of safety
glasses, Most prescription glasses offer some
protection but are not safety glasses. If in doubt
bring face shield to go over glasses. (See Ernies
Personal Protection Video on our YouTube Chanel.) |
2 |
8" to 10" |
Screw Clamps |
Size refers to length of jaw |
1 |
1/4" to 3/4" |
Set of Bevel Edge Chisels (Also
known as Carpenter's chisels) |
Buy an 8 piece set rather than a 5
piece set if you can afford it. It is most useful to
have a 1/8" chisel for dovetails. Japanese chisels
(Oire-Nomi) are excellent but expensive. The Japanese
drive their chisels with a Japanese hammer and this is
Ernie's practice.
|
1 |
stick |
White Chalk |
|
Nice To Have Tools, But Not
Necessary |
|
||
1 |
#3, #4 or #5 |
Bench Plane |
Ernie encourages the use of
inherited planes so use them if you have such. If
buying new Veritas, Lie-Nielsen, Wood River and Bench
Dog are all good. Erie's preference is in that order.
Nothing beats a Veritas Custom Plane! |
1 |
|
Ear Protection |
Ear muffs are easiest to use but
plugs are fine. If loud pounding bothers you be sure
to bring. |