Cut classic dovetails using only a scroll saw
Dovetails, dovetail keys, box joints, and box joint keys
have been used as functional as well as decorative ways
of joining wood for a long time. But in the past, you
had to cut them by hand, on a band saw, a table saw, a router
table, or using a special jig.
This project presents wood joints cut on a scroll saw for a
jewelry box. The wooden hinges are also cut on the scroll saw.
The actual wood joints at the corners are 45° beveled wood
joints; the dovetails are mostly for decoration. You can practice
making sample wood joints and hinges on your scroll saw
using small quantities of wood before making the jewelry box.
For plans and directions to make several table saw jigs that
make cutting miters in the small pieces easier, visit Scroll Saw
Workshop magazine’s website at www.scrollsawer.com. Or send
a self-addressed stamped envelope to Scroll Saw Workshop,
1970 Broad Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520.
Attach them to the wood using the glue stick. Use a #5 blade
and follow the pattern directions to cut out the waste, splitting
pattern lines on one side of the joint, leaving the lines on the
other side as marked on the pattern. To split the line, cut
directly on the line. To leave the line, cut just inside the line in
the waste section. At this time, also cut out the slots for the
hinges where indicated on the pattern (if using wooden
hinges).
Step 1: Make copies of the pattern—one copy each of the
front and back pattern and two copies of the side pattern.
Step 2: Dry fit the joint. If it’s too tight, shave off a little
bit
with the scroll saw. Some joints, particularly dovetails, will
need to be forced together using a hammer and block of wood
after they are glued.
This project is courtesy of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Magazine.
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