Yes, I do cut dovetails by hand but not that often. I usually use my routers and fixtures.
I have just received my new Veritas Dovetail saw that I purchased when I was really going to the Lee Valley Web pages for buying some Bed Bolts and two Mini Kaleidoscope kits for my little china dolls. Yes I also bought a collection of them magnets to play with in my spare time.
My review for what it is. I type what I think usually, so no hate here to either saw.
I opened my smashed cardboard box from Lee valley. I looked inside and all seemed well in spite of the damage to the container.
The new Veritas Dovetail saw had a lovely handle.. I looked at the blade and felt the grip in my hand as it warmed up from the cold outside. Fit my hand perfectally!
I ran to the shop, which is very cold these days. I grabbed a chunk of Jatoba and made some lay-out lines for a dovetail. I used my new Veritas Dovetail saw AND my old worn out Japanese Dozuki ( Not a really expensive one ) .. Sort of in the same price range.
I have to say, I love my new Veritas Dovetail saw, and a toss up if I used my old Dozuki..
My Dozuki has a more flexable blade. The new Veritas Dovetail saw is much stiffer. The blade kerf is about the same but I did not measure it. I just eyeballed the gap left behind.
All in all, the only difference I saw (except one is push and one is pull) was the new Veritas Dovetail saw started the cut a bit better. Maybe my hand still likes the push rather than the pull?
I will keep both and switch off as I remember I should use both!
Replies
"I will keep both and switch off"
I'm the same way. The two saws hang near each other and I grab one or the other depending on how I feel at the time. Couldn't give you any "rules" for which to choose over the other, just "do what you like". More fun that way! ;-)
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Will,
I'd focus on using the Veritas primarily. The Veritas, I think, will help improve your use of the Dozuki but the Dozuki will not help the Veritas. Why? because the design of the Veritas kinda forces you to hold and saw the correct way. The Dozuki is more flexible and does not require equal discipline. Clearly, this is just my opinion.
because the design of the Veritas kinda forces you to hold and saw the correct way. The Dozuki is more flexible and does not require equal discipline.
discipline? Who me?.. LOL.. I do use a stiff, straight First Finger? as a guide when holding any small saw. Even with my big old carpenters saw I have a few of..
will,
the need to cut dovetails a few years ago led me to use whatever i had. i started with a backsaw which was filed crosscut. i used that saw for a while and my results were promising enough to keep me going. the next step up was a gents saw from the local rockler. that showed me that i could do them well. then someone, i think it was kidderville bob, posted about his recent purchase of an adria dt saw. well, i just had to have one. so i know what you mean about having a good saw.
eef
Eef,
Nope, twernt me.
I have $7.98 Master Mechanic back saw that I modified. The set was so bad I just laid it on the concrete floor in the garage and whapped all the teeth with a hammer. Works great.
See I'm a firm believer in Government Spec. - measure with micrometer, cut with an axe and file to fit. Only problem is that I keep grabbin that half dound file and use the wrong side.
If I kin git Ray to tell me how you push and pull with both hands then I might know if I'm comin or goin.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
I keep grabbin that half dound file and use the wrong side. FUNNY if half dound file is a half round file?
Will,
Not sure if half-round is de right name fer it. It's a file that's flat on one side and oval (half-round) on de tuther. Don't think it's a bastard though.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 1/26/2009 6:59 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Hey Will,
"one is push and one is pull)
I will keep both and switch off as I remember I should use both!"
You need to learn to saw switch-handed. You can cut on the pull stroke with one hand, switch saws/hands, and cut on the push stroke with the other. Get done twice as fast! Put the video on utube, I can't wait to see it.
Ray
If he stands on the other side of the board, the Veritas will be a pull saw and the Japanese saw will be a push saw.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Chris, That only works in the northern hemisphere. It's the other way around in the south.Verne
If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to cut it up and make something with it . . . what a waste!<!----><!----><!---->
What about in the East? What if you stand on your head?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com) - Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Edited 1/23/2009 10:11 pm by flairwoodworks
When you stand on your head, it doesn't matter whether you push or pull, you still get dust in your eyes -- unless, of course, you're in orbit, but you'd have to check with Mel for verification on that point. Verne
If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to cut it up and make something with it . . . what a waste!<!----><!----><!---->
HEY!
Stay out of my liquor cabinet..........lol.
Jeff
My grandfather (who died in the '40s) taught me it was much better to have lots of pull, without being pushy about it. ;-)
Of course, he had never heard of a Dozuki.
Funny, I just got my Adria in the mail, and cut some dovetails today. I much prefer the handle and the ability to control the saw. I have two Japanese, but I find the cut wanders down the line, it just "ain't natural". Thicker kerf and staight lines works form me, I learned on backsaw, and I think I will just stay with it.
AZMO
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-------(*)/ (*) http://www.EarthArtLandscape.com
AZMO..
but I find the cut wanders down the line, it just "ain't natural"..
I have been called a 'backward child' and worse as an adult! Never stopped me from doing anything except making money!
As I stated (I think), the Japanese saw was a bit harder to START the line but it cuts true and straight just as the 'NEW' saw does.
I think BOTH are wonderful saws.
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