A Paul Sellers Dovetail Technique – Episode 2
Posted 6 May 2016
This is an episode in a free series. Want to watch it? It is free to do so, you just need to log into the site, and you can enjoy this video and many other videos we think you will love.
With the tails cuts, he uses them to layout the pins. Paul uses a knife on this sapele to ensure accuracy, then uses the cutting gauge for the depth mark. From there he cuts the tail recesses out with the dovetail saw and chisel, being careful not to move the knife wall. Once cut, Paul eases the inside corners and fits the dovetails, which completes this dovetailing technique.
Another big help!
Thanks WWMC!
Seeing you balance, evaluate, assess, adjust, correct, is all so highly instructive. The more of these videos I see, the better I can discern all those tiny moments that make up a flow through the creative and constructive process. And having all this full length is the main value: the craftsmanship *really* is in the process.
This is how I want to work, too, and this is what I will show those I can reach.
Wonderfully instructive, Paul! Thank you. I love the way you solved and moved through those freak-out moments that so often freeze me right up. Backing up and repeating a cut a couple of times when necessary sure beats throwing the boards against the wall in anguished frustration. You build my confidence by showing how you deal with the process remaining clear headed and focused. Mentoring inaction here. Invaluable! Thanks again.
Well done, Paul. When viewing the job, about chopping and cleaning the tail sockets, I was wondering if it’s better to use the chisel as you skilfully did or the coping saw as I usually do at first and the chisel afterwards. What’s the better method in such a case?
Dear Giuliano,
For fine work, we would tend to use a chisel. Using a coping saw is not that much faster, and there is a risk of tear-out.
Paul said that he might use a coping saw for rougher carpentry, but the cuts are consistently finer when done with the chisel.
I did see Paul make a small dovetail box using a coping saw in under 10 minutes. I wish I could repeat his efforts with a chisel.
Thanks!
Great job Paul. Enjoyed that video. It seems after I watch you work when I get back to my projects they seem to go much easier. I think it is your calm craftsman approach that rubs off the most. I can almost hear some of your rumbling as I work those tight spots.
Great job Paul you the man 🙂
As always, your videos are relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Great videos once again Master Paul! Just a small question though.. Shouldn’t we make a template for cutting the pins as we did for cutting the tails? After all, the sets of pins will be as many as the sets for the dovetails.
Also how many cuts do you think a template like that can withstand until we need a new one for accuracy?? Could you suggest some types of wood that would be more durable for this purpose?
Hello Giorgos,
I think you would find it very difficult to make a template that corresponds exactly with tails for the pins.
As far as longevity of the template is concerned, Paul usually uses it a minimum of 20-30 times. However, if you use a saw with minimal set and are careful with it, it should last a very long time. As far as wood is concerned, the ideal is a straight, dense grained hardwood.
Best, Phil
Great! Thank you Philip!
Every time I watch you work, it makes me want to do some woodworking. It is really a pleasure to watch a craftsman work.
On the mistake part. I would not mind seeing a mistake you made and how to fix it. I make a lot of mistakes and it would be helpful to see the fixes you use.
I live in Spain and can’t see the video. The error message is:
“Sorry, because its privacy settings the video cannot be played here.”
🙁
@paolobartoli
IOS 9.3.2 has now been released, please updated your iPhone/iPad operating system and the glitch will be fixed.
For a quicker reply, please do message us via the contact form as we try to keep this thread relevant to the episode. (This means your comment will also be removed)
Happy woodworking, Resi
Being from a carpenter/farm background as a child, and working in construction as a young man, I was never introduced to this level of accuracy. During my middle years, as mechanic, equipment operator, etc., I continued in the carpenter mode for my occasional wood working needs. But, now in my retirement (Disabled), I am beginning to try some (relatively) finer work. Finding Paul Sellers, has been the beginning of the actual possibility of some level of success. Because I was quickly becoming disgusted with my feeble efforts, partly from the loss of the sight of the left eye.
I have also gotten rid of the most of my power tools!
Thanks!
Steve
I like what you said about watching a true craftsman at work. I also love the tips, that I would never had thought of. Every time I watch Paul I wish I could stand beside him as he works.
A truely brilliant man.
Paul, could you use the first set of tails to make a cutting template like the one used to make the tails?
I wish I had seen this video 10 years ago, and not bought a router jig which I have never used.
Hi Paul, i have watched a couple of your videos know, could you tell me why you tend to use a nylon hammer and not a wooden mallet, is it just your personel prefrence or do you get a better result using the nylon hammer. regards Karl.
Hi Carl
in a couple of Paul’s videos he explains its for personal preference as well as giving a hard side and a soft side so he can use for fit-ups as well as chisel work
regards
Glenn
Thanks Glen, i have not been doing woodwork long so i am looking for all the advice i can get. will try some trail dovetails soon ,i think i will have to watch the videos a few times more yet, not only are they educational they are in real time from start to finish ,just what i like to see. wish me luck as i wish all on their woodworking journey. Karl.
All the best Karl . I don’t have any doubts you will do well I think the hardest part is going from wanting to Doing
Regards
Glenn
Outstanding!!! Thanks Paul.
I bow to the master. This was great! I have tried hand cut dovetail and now know my mistake. Thanks Paul, you are great!!!
It still blows my mind every time I think about how amazing it is that Paul developed a method of woodworking that had not been previously thought of in the history of the world. That’s how amazing this guy is. It’s like being able to be taught electronics by Tesla, or chemistry by Nobel…. truly inspiring and humbling watching a master at work.
Thanks for a great method to cut tails.
Does Paul use one board for the jig or is it a glue up of smaller boards?
I am new to woodworking. video was very instructive! I picked up so many technique enhancements just watching you work. The Dovetail jig is simple and ingenious and I will be using it. The fitting part at the end was great.
Is the dovetail marker you used in part 1 (the small iron piece you used to mark the tail lines) available on the market? Seems much better than the ones I have seen online.
my apologies, i found your dovetail tool video. Here is is for others:
https://paulsellers.com/2011/12/making-the-paul-sellers-dovetail-template/
What is the “trick” when gluing up dovetail joints?
Thank you