joint construction

[diane]

I am making a ceder chest and I am wondering what is the best may to join the sides and bottom together. I had an idea that dove tail would work. If so what type of dove tail machine do I need to invest in? I have a router but have never used a dove tail templet. I see several on the market at a wide range of prices. I don't want to buy something I will not use. The largest I see in a 12 inch templet. Do you move this on the chest sides which are about 18 inches?

[John Lucas]

Diane,
I think dovetail is the best for blanket chest. On my site I have used two for such large chests...one is KatieJig and the other is Stots Dovetail Master template. Both worked very well. The big difference is cost. The KJ was about $400 for the wide version, the Stots is a template that you make your own...if cost about $60 with the two bits yu need and about another $10 for the MDF material you use.
I am prsently doing another chest of mahogany and double dovetail cornerposts ... but I havent done it yet and may not be able to do it.
I would seriously look into the Stots.
For STots story: www.woodshopdemos.com/stots4.htm">http://www.woodshopdemos.com/stots4.htm</a>
for KJ: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/Katiej1.htm

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/stots440.jpg

Good luck with the chest.
John Lucas
www.woodshopdemos.com

[Pam Niedermayer (Guest)]

The cheapest, and IMO the easiest and fastest way, to make dovetails is by hand. Also costs nothing, assuming you already have a hand saw. Or, buy a little saw and guide like the Veritas for less than $40 (can be seen at http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...currency=2&SID=).

Pam

[JohnP]

2 popular jigs are Leigh and Porter Cable. They are both 24 inch jigs and cost about $350 plus templates, I use the Porter Cable. One the set up is done on the jig, it very straight forward to make the cuts. Both jigs a very heavy duty and may out live you.
Hope this helps
JohnP

[John Lucas]

we (I) tend to grab the machine/jig to do everything. Doing dovetails be hand is doable. For anyone thinking of doing so, I strongly suggest buying the Taunton video "Dovetailing" by Frank Klausz. He teaches a slightly different way than many and I find it is much easier to do it his way. Video can be ordered from Rockler http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?page=1925&sid=AF291

[Boyce (Guest)]

Diane,

I recently made just such a project and included step-by-step instructions on my website. There are no plans because I figured most people would want to set their own demensions.

Anyway, you can check it out. It might help.

Good luck.

Boyce


http://members.home.net/boyce-sandy/woodshop.html

[Diane (Guest)]

Thanks for the information on the Stots. Where would someone need to go to find this item? By the way nice picture. I have a lot of Cypress wood and plan to make a couple with it also.

[Flyinghorse]

Hi Diane,
If I understand your post, you want to use dovetails to
join the bottom to the sides of the chest? If this is the
what you intend, I would not go that route.
A 1/4" dado, at about 1/2" from the edge, all around the
inside to capture the bottom would be, IMO, the best way
to attach the bottom.
If that's not what you ment, then please disregard this post.

BJ Wilkinson

[John Lucas]

be sure to get the two router bits listed.