PRACpopularmechanics.co.za
STEP 6: Using a dovetail saw or
Japanese dozuki and your dovetail guide
(or freehand), cut all of the tails to a hair
above the baseline. Make sure you are
cutting ‘just’ on the waste side of your
lines, as clearly shown by the blue tape.STEP 8: Using a coping saw or fret saw, remove the
waste between the tails, staying just proud of the base line.STEP 7: With the tail board on its side in
the vice, cut the two shoulders a hair proud
of the line. With a sharp chisel, pare the
shoulders accurately down to the baseline.STEP 9: Place the tail board flat on your bench with the tails
facing you, and secure it well. Now chisel out the remainder of
the waste between the tails (the pin sockets), working from both
faces of the tail board towards the centre. Take great care in this
step, ensuring you don’t bruise the side walls of the tails. Constantly
check with a small try square that the bases between the tails are
absolutely at 90° to the faces of the board and that these pin sockets
are totally clean of any debris.MAY / JUNE 2022 83