When cutting dovetails by hand, I true the tails with a couple swipes of a file. I use the flat side of a half-round file for this, so I can reach all the way into the corner. This works better for me than paring with a chisel, especially on hard woods with random grain, like sapele. It also smooths the face a little, helping the joint slide together better during assembly.

To avoid rounding the tails, I hold a small square against the workpiece with my other hand. This visual guide works best if you leave a small gap between the square and the file. Short, slow passes are also key. Unless I really blew the sawcut, it typically takes just a couple of file strokes to true the face.

—BILL HUFFMAN, Snoqualmie, Wash.

Illustrations by Dan Thornton
From Fine Woodworking issue #277

	File Joints for a Perfect Fit Finesse parts after handplaning to create snug joinery.
	Shape Wood with Rasps and Files These often overlooked tools remove stock quickly, effortlessly
	Stick your tools in a shoe? Woodworkers have always been good recyclers, but this idea may have taken one step too far.

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