Replies

1. 
   BG | Mar 03, 2003 04:42pm | #1

   Pete,

   Welcome and congratulations on the new baby.  I too have been trying to develop some dovetail skills.  I tried two japanese saws, the dozuki (with a stiff back) is specifically well designed for  dovetails.  They all cut like a hot knife through butter, however, I stripped the teeth off the dozuki cutting 1/4" hard board...had no problem with the white oak..go figure!  I finally broke down and bought the LN dovetail saw.  It too cuts extremely well but even more importantly, when held appropriately, I'm getting great repeatability with nice straight, square cuts.  The saw kinda forces me to do it correctly..

   Anyhow, good luck with the project, sounds like a great strategy for getting yourself a nice shop area with the next move...lol 

2. 
   dpw32 | Mar 03, 2003 10:48pm | #2

   Pete,

   I just bought a LN dovetail saw $125.  It is a cut on the push stroke and worked great right out of the box.  There are certainly some cheaper saws out there, but I have no complaints about the LN quality and did not have to fool with sharpening or resetting teeth.

   After just a few (ok, maybe a dozen) practice joints, I am now hand cutting dovetails with confidence.

   Dave

   PS Don't forget a good quality marking (I use a cutting gage) gage.  Also, some people use a scratch awl for marking, I've just taken the scratch awl from my combo square and used that.

3. 
   ChasStanford | Mar 04, 2003 04:09am | #3

   Be careful buying Japanese saws.  Most of the very high-end units are meant to cut softwoods only.  Saws meant for N. American hardwood are usually found only in 'Razor saw grade', or at least that's what I've gleaned from the Japan Woodworker catalog and through my own sad experience.  I could be wrong. 

   I'd suggest that by buying a Pax or Lynx brand gent's saw and you'll have exactly what you need to cut dovetails.  Pull or push stroke means frightfully little when you're cutting a line no more than an inch long (usually) for dovetails.  I tried everything under the shining sun and ended up with a Pax 8" gents saw.  After using the little jewel, I would have paid three times the lousy 25 or 30 bucks it actually cost.  Good quality at a reasonable price is like found money.  I took to that little saw like a duck to water.  Just one of those things I guess.  Others probably feel the same way about their dozuki.

   Push or pull stroke doesn't mean that much.  What you should do is buy quality.  You can get used to anything. 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/4/2003 6:56:25 AM ET by CHASSTANFORD

1. 
   PeteMoss | Mar 04, 2003 04:02pm | #4

   Thanks to everyone for their input. I will take a look at the gent's saw. I wll try to persuade the wife into an LN one day, but I think she would probably do bad things to me if I got one right now.

   Yea, I figure if I cut through the edge of the kitchen table enough, I ought to be able to get a garage or basement or something the next time we move.

   Thanks all

1. 
   mikkimel | Mar 04, 2003 04:46pm | #5

   Hey Petemoss, i can't remember who it was in this forum that said this, so i can't give him credit, but i thought it was great.

   "By the best, and you'll only cry once"  of course meaning that you cry at the price tag, but never at the results.  The LN is the best out there.

   But i also have a paragon dovetail saw from Garrett Wade, and it works pretty good, for about $35. 

4. 
   esirotic | Mar 04, 2003 07:47pm | #6

   Gentlemen,

   I would like to inform you that there are other dovetail saws available which are as good or better than the Lie-Nielsen saws.

   I'm talking about the Adria dovetail saw. I am the maker of these saws, so don't take my word for it - please inquire around and you'll find a lot of very happy Adria dovetail saw owners.

   Feel free to take a look at the testimonials section on my web site which can be found here: http://www.AdriaTools.com .

   I have started making Adria saws in 1997, before Lie-Nielsen bought the Independence Tools which was the original maker of the dovetail saw LN makes today. This means that there is plenty of people who have owned my saws for years and will be able to give you a proper feedback on quality of Adria saws.

   Thanks,

   Eddie Sirotich

1. 
   BG | Mar 04, 2003 09:39pm | #7

   Eddie,

   Nice to know you exist.  I had read good things about your saws before I bought the LN but never saw an advertisement or a real one in a store.  I wasen't sure Adria existed accept maybe in the used market. I would have gladly considered one of your saws.

   Your web page does not indicate your location. Thanks the web addy

1. 
   esirotic | Mar 04, 2003 10:02pm | #8

   BG,

   Thanks for the good comments about my saws. The reason you didn't see the ads for my saws is that I am a small maker and advertising mostly over the Internet.

   I'm expanding now and I'm advertising in the Woodwork magazine. Others will follow as the advertising budget allows.

   I believe my address is specified on my web site although it may not be obvious. I'm located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

   Thanks,

   Eddie

1. 
   BG | Mar 04, 2003 11:44pm | #9

   Eddie,

   I don't know if your anticipating any retail arrangements but if you are, you might want to tie into the General distributors.  I only know of two (so. of Boston, New Hampshire) but they are good retailers, go to the shows.  good luck

1. 
   esirotic | Mar 05, 2003 12:44am | #10

   Thanks for the info!

   Eddie