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Ep 3a: Hand-cut Tapered Dovetails – Sockets

In this episode, Chris begins creating the tapered sliding dovetails by sawing out the sockets, and cleaning them up with a router plane

By Chris Gochnour Oct 30, 2018

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Videos in the Series

Ep 1: Enfield Cupboard with Hand Tools – Intro

October 30, 2018

Using only hand tools, Chris Gochnour builds a Shaker classic that is as solidly constructed as it is beautiful.
Ep 2: Case Layout

October 30, 2018

In this episode, Chris demonstrates his techniques for keeping all of the case parts in order, and layout out the tricky joinery to come
Ep 3a: Hand-cut Tapered Dovetails – Sockets

October 30, 2018

In this episode, Chris begins creating the tapered sliding dovetails by sawing out the sockets, and cleaning them up with a router plane
Ep 3b: Hand-cut Tapered Dovetails – Keys

October 30, 2018

In this episode, Chris uses a dovetail plane to create the keys for the tapered sliding dovetails
Ep 4a: Case Dovetails – Tails

November 6, 2018

In this episode, Chris takes on the through dovetails on the top of the case, starting with the tail board, and of course, all with hand tools
Ep 4b: Case Dovetails – Pins

November 6, 2018

In this episode, Chris moves on to the pin board and finishes the bulk of the dovetail work
Ep 4c: Handcut Rabbets and Dovetail Fitting

November 6, 2018

In this episode, Chris fits the dovetails together, after using a rabbet plane and shoulder plane to create the rabbets in the back of the case
Ep 5a: Cutting the Feet

November 13, 2018

In this episode, Chris uses a coping saw and spokeshaves to create the coved feet
Ep 5b: Gluing up the Case

November 13, 2018

Chris takes on a stressful, multipart glue up, on camera, just to make it more interesting
Ep 6: Backboards

November 20, 2018

In this episode, Chris uses a match plane to create the tongue and grooved backboards
Ep 7a: Hand-cut Mortises

November 27, 2018

In this episode, Chris creates the faceframe mortises, using a mortice gauge, auger, and a mortise chisel
Ep 7b: Hand-cut Tenons

November 27, 2018

In this episode, Chris hand cuts the face frame tenons with a tenon saw and then uses handplanes to fit it to the mortise
Ep 8: Drawboring and Gluing Up the Face Frame

December 4, 2018

In this episode, Chris assembles the face frame with drawbored pins and glues it to the case
Ep 9a: Sticking the Crown Molding

December 11, 2018

Chris creates the crown molding in two separate profiles, using a beading plane and molding plane with a cove astragal profile
Ep 9b: Attaching the Crown Molding

December 11, 2018

In this episode, Chris finesses the molding perfectly into place using a miter box and a 45-degree shooting board
Ep 10a: Door Layout – Through-Mortises

December 18, 2018

Chris begins the layout process for the door joinery, and explains why through-mortises are the way to go on a door
Ep 10b: Door Layout – Through-Tenons

December 18, 2018

Chris continues the layout process, which is essential to creating a door for the cupboard that is both flat and strong
Ep 11a: Chopping the Through-Mortises

January 2, 2019

In this episode, Chris plows a groove in the doorframe and then creates the door's through-mortises, working half way through on each side, meeting in the middle
Ep 11b: Sawing the Through-Tenons

January 2, 2019

In this episode, Chris completes the door joinery and dials in the fit to create a perfectly flat door
Ep 12a: Rabbeting the Panels and Door Assembly

January 8, 2019

Chris uses rabbet and shoulder planes to create the solid-wood panels for the door, then assembles the door with drawbored mortise and tenons
Ep 12b: Mounting and Fitting the Door–Conclusion

January 8, 2019

In this, the final episode, Chris delicately mounts the hinges to the door and case, finishing the Enfield cupboard project
Free Plan: Shaker Enfield Cupboard

January 14, 2019

A classic cupboard that is a pleasure to make and looks great in a home

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About This Video Workshop

Using only hand tools, Chris Gochnour builds a Shaker classic that is as solidly constructed as it is beautiful. In this video workshop, you’ll learn how to: Use a dovetail plane to cut tapered sliding dovetails Use tongue-and-groove planes and beading planes for backboards Cut mortise-and-tenon joints by hand Use molding planes to create custom moldings Video by Jeff Roos and Ben Strano Edited by Ben Strano and Jeff Roos Produced by Ben Strano More about this Video Workshop

Comments

richeytgr | Oct 30, 2018 03:55pm | #1
Hey Chris. Spent my lunch break watching you cut a tapered dove tail. I'm glad I'm not the only one gray and thin on top. Love watching you work. T. Richey.
TburyWW | May 06, 2020 10:42pm | #2
Neat trick using the battens to hand saw the tapered sliding dovetails. Learned a lot watching this series and craftsmanship.
Muscleguy | Jun 25, 2020 05:46am | #3
Lacking a table saw the angled guide batten causes me an issue. I will have to create it with hand planes I think. Should be possible with accurate incised layout lines to plane to. I have big planes, both a Jack and a #7 jointer so this should be possible.

I have both a free router and a router table but I find feeding wood into a screaming, dangerous machine unpleasant and undesirable. I have thus invested in router planes and things like a matched pair of wooden tongue and groove planes. So I can do things the tried and tested ways.
srmmmm | Jul 04, 2020 04:34pm | #4
Really enjoyed watching this technique and was surprised at how quickly the dovetail groove took shape. I would think it'd be easier to place the tapered batten on the other side of the line and flip it over so your finger pressure is applied downward on the angle instead of upward. Also, speaking from experience, using the heel of your hand against the chisel handle does lead to nerve damage.

floydo | Jul 18, 2021 02:42pm | #5
Yes Indeed !

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