$150.00
Beginner
Cut Your First DOVETAIL!
with Chad MetcalfThursday, October 29, 2026, 6 PM - 9 PM
Learn one of woodworking’s most recognizable joints in this hands-on introduction to hand-cut through dovetails. Students will begin with proper handsaw technique, then work through dovetail layout, cutting tails and pins, removing waste, and fine-tuning the fit. Along the way, the instructor will demonstrate both traditional marking techniques and Rob Cosman’s saw-kerf offset approach to transferring the tails to the pin board. Students will leave with a completed hand-cut dovetail joint and a repeatable process they can continue practicing at home. No previous dovetail experience is required; basic familiarity with hand tools is helpful but not necessary. Learning Objectives - Practice starting a saw kerf and following square and plumb layout lines. Use marking gauges, dividers, and a dovetail square to lay out a joint. - Cut the tail board first, then accurately transfer the layout to the pin board. - Compare traditional knife marking, blue tape, and Cosman-style offset marking. - Remove waste safely using a coping/fret saw and sharp chisels. - Pare to layout lines, diagnose tight spots, and fine-tune a joint for assembly.