Sliding dovetails can also be made with a saw and a chisel.

- Bill T.

-----Original Message-----
From: oldtools-bounces@r...
[mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of OT list
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 9:25 PM
To: porch
Subject: Re: [OldTools] 18th century tools for sliding half dovetails?

As i understand it they would make a dado (rectangular groove) across the
width of the panel then follow with a special plane to get the right angle
for the dovetail -  at the recent williamsburg conf ted ingrham had a plane
that would cut on either side for this type of work.... although i think you
can saw it at an angle too if you have good saw control and are brave, i
think that they would use a saw similar to stair saw for that (has depth
stop)... they are generally tapered so they are driven home tight when fully
assembled.  you also have to get the special plane for the other (male)
half.... I believe ECE still makes one of them.  havent ever done one
myself, just some recollections from books....

Hunter
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