Thank you Megan Fitzpatrick and Popular Woodworking!!! Thank you for explaining this in such a simple method without trying to sell us a bunch of garbage. Too many "other" videos out there are so jammed full of people telling us about some product we cannot live without and learning the simple procedures are completely lost on me. Again, great video!
Thank you for explaining why you measure PAST the half-pin mark! I see other videos of them doing that but none of them explained the fact that you are using that distance to determine your pin size through the rest of the joint. I don’t know in hind sight maybe that should’ve been obvious but it wasn’t so thank you for being the first video out of at least ten videos to explain that part!
excellent, Chris has talked about this often but I never saw it explained before. I really appreciate it. When you cant afford the exelent classes available these sorts of things rfeally fill in the gaps. Thanks
I am just starting out, and I've watched at least 50 videos just on dovetails. ( I'm certainly not claiming to be the brightest bulb in the lamp! :). I have to tell you that this has been the absolute best as far as explaining how to measure. Thank you
been looking at internet videos for using dividers on dovetails for a good while now, and yours is the simplest explanation I've run across. Let's just say that, after watching, the light bulb went off. Thank you!
Well Megan, you certainly have patience to describe this process so thoroughly. If someone can't get the idea from this, then they can't get it. Good job!
Have to watch this video all the way through... then the anvil falls on my head. I watched this a long time ago and I'm not sure that it sank in. This time I think I've got it. LOL Thanks Megan
Thank you for this video, I love the simplicity but effectiveness of dividers! I was trying to use a ruler to layout before and what is so neat is this lets you try out different size tails fast.
Very helpful video, great teaching technique. I had just about went to never never land to get pixie dust trying to understand all these other videos...thanks!!!
Thanks for the kind words - and apologies for neglecting to check here for comments (I always forget these aren't served only through the Popular WW blog!). That marking gauge is the Precision Dovetail Template from Woodjoy Tools ($29): www.woodjoytools.com/layout/precision-dovetail-template
This is the best dovetail layout video I have seen ! Thank you so much for the great video, please keep making them. And I would really really love to know where you got that dovetail marker from ?
Ma'am, I'm not sure who you are or what your magazine is (but I'll check it out next time I'm at the bookstore)...but that was about the most outstanding and elegant demonstration of laying out dovetails! There are, undoubtedly, a great many folks who appreciate your time and effort to produce this segment. Thank you! Best regards.
This is the best dovetail layout video I have seen ! Thank you so much for the great video, please keep making them. And I would really really love to know where you got that dovetail marker from "
VERY clearly explained - thank you very much for this. I don't have a mentor for learning these skills from and this was the demonstration I needed. A quick question if this is modified for half-blind dovetails: Assuming you were scribing your depth line on those boards when marking the tails. Is the only modification that the tails would be shallower than the thickness of the pin board? Or are there other considerations when layout out half-blind dovetails for, say, drawers?
When I'm cutting half-blinds, I typically do my pins first (which I lay out by eye, and overcut on the baseline). But yes, I suppose you could do the tails first, and simply decide on the baseline then scribe it. (e.g. if my stock was 3/4, I might choose to leave 1/4", so I'd set the gauge for 1/2" to mark the tail baseline). The rest of the steps would be the same on the layout
You don't need a second divider. Use a combination square and a pencil to strike a line across the end grain, for the half pin width. Stick your pencil in the divider holes to strike the rest.
I HAVE WATCHED OTHER LAYOUT VIDEOS WITH CALIPERS recently. I have noticed that other videos have the full pin twice the width of the half pin. This appears not to be the case here. Am I being too picky or perhaps not understanding?Thanks
It doesn't really matter -- a wider half-pin is less likely to break off if your joint is a little tight and you force it together, but not by much. It's an aesthetic choice: I like them thinner.
+Megan Fitzpatrick Thanks. They are called half pins simply because they don't have two angled sides and not because of their width in relation to the full pin. Makes sense now
I usually leave a minimum of 5 to 6 mm at each end and then divide the inside accordingly. It is better do the inner parts using the chisel size you have. Megan is right better too wide than too thin :P
I am a hobbyist who has watched every video (I think) on youtube as well as a couple of subscription services, Paul Sellers for one. I eyeball most layouts without measuring. No one seems to notice the subtle difference in tail-pin width from one corner to the next. Personally I think the end result looks better than those with precisely measured tail-pins.
Excellent video! In process of building Chris's Dutch Tool Chest with hand tools only -- in an unheated garage 1200 miles from home. Simple Google search on "dovetail layout" and now I understand! Thank you
All I can say is one time listening and watching you I can now go and make Dove Tails. One question, why did you start with the tails when all I hear is start with the pins?
This is by far the best explained lay out. Straight to the point, without a bunch of stuff to make it complicated. Thank you so much
This lady is a natural teacher --a gift! Thanks!
At last! Someone has explained it as opposed to showing how fast they can do it without marking out at all. Best explanation yet!
Probably the best explanation about laying out dovetail I have seen so far,Thanks for the simplicity and straightforward language .
I feel your explanation of the dovetail layout is the best on You Tube. Helped me tremendously.
Taking this time to learn to do dovetails. I have seen a lot of videos on using dividers. This is the clearest explanation out there.
The most explanatory version of marking out I have seen. Well done.
I've watched many dovetail videos on youtube and you're the first one to explain the logic behind it and now I understand. Thank you so much
I often wondered how and why carpenters used dividers to set the layout, both of which you have answered. I've learnt something today. Thank you
There are really only a handful of decent dovetail vids on UA-cam - this is one of them!
Thank you Megan Fitzpatrick and Popular Woodworking!!! Thank you for explaining this in such a simple method without trying to sell us a bunch of garbage. Too many "other" videos out there are so jammed full of people telling us about some product we cannot live without and learning the simple procedures are completely lost on me. Again, great video!
Thanks!
Yes, we're looking towards Canada!
Thank you for explaining why you measure PAST the half-pin mark! I see other videos of them doing that but none of them explained the fact that you are using that distance to determine your pin size through the rest of the joint. I don’t know in hind sight maybe that should’ve been obvious but it wasn’t so thank you for being the first video out of at least ten videos to explain that part!
excellent, Chris has talked about this often but I never saw it explained before. I really appreciate it. When you cant afford the exelent classes available these sorts of things rfeally fill in the gaps. Thanks
I am just starting out, and I've watched at least 50 videos just on dovetails. ( I'm certainly not claiming to be the brightest bulb in the lamp! :). I have to tell you that this has been the absolute best as far as explaining how to measure. Thank you
been looking at internet videos for using dividers on dovetails for a good while now, and yours is the simplest explanation I've run across. Let's just say that, after watching, the light bulb went off. Thank you!
Thanks Megan. You;re right. I read about it yesterday but didn't get it. NOW I do.Very clear and easy to understand.
The process makes a lot more sense now that I can actually see it being done. Thank you very much!
This is the best I have seen this explained. Thank you for taking the time to do this Megan.
This is FANTASTIC!!! You shortened my learning curve by 15/16! THANK YOU!!!
Best explanation. EVER. Cheers and thanks for sharing.
The best explanation I've seen on how to do this.
That was not too long. I found that extremely helpful and clear, thank you.
So helpful! Thanks for just getting to it without all the fluff. I finally understand the method.
Thank you. Was racking my brains trying to make sense of marking out my dovetails and this explained it perfectly!
Awesome instruction & explanation! Thanks, Megan!
Best demonstration of dovetail layout yet!!
Excellent video. Clear, illustrative, and precise.
Well Megan, you certainly have patience to describe this process so thoroughly.
If someone can't get the idea from this, then they can't get it.
Good job!
Very nice explanation of dovetail layout, thanks a bunch.
Have to watch this video all the way through... then the anvil falls on my head.
I watched this a long time ago and I'm not sure that it sank in. This time I think I've got it. LOL
Thanks Megan
Thank you for this video, I love the simplicity but effectiveness of dividers! I was trying to use a ruler to layout before and what is so neat is this lets you try out different size tails fast.
Excellently explained!!!
Thanks so much
👍😉
Megan,thank you very very much i have watched so many videos try to get this and after one time with you its all clear grat job , you have the gift
I'm a newbie to cutting dovetails and this really helped me. thanks.
Thank you for a wonderful video. It will change my (woodworking) life.
Very helpful video, great teaching technique. I had just about went to never never land to get pixie dust trying to understand all these other videos...thanks!!!
Thank you so much. Seeing and having it explained is all it took. I understand now. 🙂
Thanks So Much for this I have always wondered how this is done, and you did a great job teaching it.
much better explanation... thank you Megan
NICE. FIRST TIME THAT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO ME CLEARLY.
THANKS
DOC
MEBANE NC
So well explained. Thank you!
Perfect, thanks Megan.
Excellent explaination, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind words - and apologies for neglecting to check here for comments (I always forget these aren't served only through the Popular WW blog!). That marking gauge is the Precision Dovetail Template from Woodjoy Tools ($29): www.woodjoytools.com/layout/precision-dovetail-template
Not longish at all. This was an amazing video thank you!
Thank you Megan--very helpful
Thanks for posting, this was very helpful.
very well explained! thank you
This is the best dovetail layout video I have seen ! Thank you so much for the great video, please keep making them. And I would really really love to know where you got that dovetail marker from ?
Great explanation! Thanks
Very nice explanation, thanks.
So, so, SO helpful! Thanks so much.
Best explanation there is.
I've been trying to figure this out for a while now, thanks for explaining this on You Tube, written explanations just were not doing it for me.
Thanks for this upload. Very helpful.
I learned something! Thank you!
An excellent explanation.
Ma'am, I'm not sure who you are or what your magazine is (but I'll check it out next time I'm at the bookstore)...but that was about the most outstanding and elegant demonstration of laying out dovetails! There are, undoubtedly, a great many folks who appreciate your time and effort to produce this segment. Thank you! Best regards.
Thank you so much for this video!
Thanks! Easy and exact!
This is so cool!!
Very good project. Tabi squad I use to angles.
This is the best dovetail layout video I have seen ! Thank you so much for the great video, please keep making them. And I would really really love to know where you got that dovetail marker from "
VERY clearly explained - thank you very much for this. I don't have a mentor for learning these skills from and this was the demonstration I needed.
A quick question if this is modified for half-blind dovetails: Assuming you were scribing your depth line on those boards when marking the tails. Is the only modification that the tails would be shallower than the thickness of the pin board? Or are there other considerations when layout out half-blind dovetails for, say, drawers?
When I'm cutting half-blinds, I typically do my pins first (which I lay out by eye, and overcut on the baseline). But yes, I suppose you could do the tails first, and simply decide on the baseline then scribe it. (e.g. if my stock was 3/4, I might choose to leave 1/4", so I'd set the gauge for 1/2" to mark the tail baseline). The rest of the steps would be the same on the layout
loverly description, I was in my shop the other night trying to remember it, I got it wrong....
This is much better. Thank you.
You don't need a second divider. Use a combination square and a pencil to strike a line across the end grain, for the half pin width. Stick your pencil in the divider holes to strike the rest.
Clear as glass, Thanks,
Thanks, you have made this process much easier for the novice tailer. Could you share a source for the marking tool. I have the dividers already.
That was much easier to follow!
BRILLIANT!
Now I get it! Thank you!
thanks a lot. very informative
Thank you👍
6 minute refresher - should have done this before wasting much time with ruler, 10 thumbs, and headscratching.
very clear !!
That was very helpful
I HAVE WATCHED OTHER LAYOUT VIDEOS WITH CALIPERS recently. I have noticed that other videos have the full pin twice the width of the half pin. This appears not to be the case here. Am I being too picky or perhaps not understanding?Thanks
It doesn't really matter -- a wider half-pin is less likely to break off if your joint is a little tight and you force it together, but not by much. It's an aesthetic choice: I like them thinner.
+Megan Fitzpatrick Thanks. They are called half pins simply because they don't have two angled sides and not because of their width in relation to the full pin. Makes sense now
I usually leave a minimum of 5 to 6 mm at each end and then divide the inside accordingly. It is better do the inner parts using the chisel size you have. Megan is right better too wide than too thin :P
William Branham how do you lay it out. there are several ways. thanks fellow struggling woodworker
I am a hobbyist who has watched every video (I think) on youtube as well as a couple of subscription services, Paul Sellers for one. I eyeball most layouts without measuring. No one seems to notice the subtle difference in tail-pin width from one corner to the next. Personally I think the end result looks better than those with precisely measured tail-pins.
Good explanation!!
Excellent video! In process of building Chris's Dutch Tool Chest with hand tools only -- in an unheated garage 1200 miles from home. Simple Google search on "dovetail layout" and now I understand! Thank you
Thank you
Slick! Thank you!
Good explanation thank you.
where did you get the gauge you were using to marks your lines?
Thanks that helped a lot
Great please let me know where to get the layout marker
So smart! thanks
Best explaination thnks
makes so much sense now, so then you mark the pins from the tails? or do you lay them out as well using the dividers?
Mark the pins from the tails
Mark the pins from the tails.
Where'd you get that dovetail marker, Megan?
Thanks. Very clear. No mention of chisel width in between tails! Could cause problems.
What brand of divided you like to use
All I can say is one time listening and watching you I can now go and make Dove Tails.
One question, why did you start with the tails when all I hear is start with the pins?
Nice
Two schools of thought out there on making dovetails. They will be arguing about which method is better forever.
Watching your video again cause you said tails didn't mean it wasn't the pin board
Will you run that by me once again.
Nie one Megan only thing the half pins are a bit toooo wide... just my personal preferences. Thanks
I bought plans from Woodglut and did it very quickly.
I prefer to build with Woodglut plans.