DAY THREE and everyones motivation is holding strong. There's no doubt that this class is dedicated. We have access to the shop everyday from 7am-Midnight and it's rare, if between those hours, that there is no one here sharpening chisels or practicing mortis and tennons.
Three days of learning can be seen on everyones fingers. I wish I had the forsight to take before and after photos of our hands because they are pretty banged up. Allen's fingers will tell you why you shouldn't put them infront of your chisel while pairing out a shoulder. Daniell learned just how fast a 1000 grits wet stone can take off skin. Everyone will tell you how hard it is to get metal filings out from under your finger nails and I learned my first night not to rub your eyes with filings on your fingers. One look at Francis's index finger will give you reason, maybe 10 reasons, why you don't use your finger as a gauge when paring dovetails.
PK gave us a demonstration on cutting dove tails. Like everything else he does it looked easy, but in reality was so much more complex.
Here is little history lesson- The dovetail joint predates written history. Furniture found entombed with mummies in Egypt had dovetail joints but when that furniture was made we're not sure. The joint is known for its strength because it only has one vector of force that can loosen the joint. That means its one bad ass joint, and a reason a lot of craftsmen take them seriously.
Marking a dovetail
A marked dovetail
Using a dovetail saw to cut out the dovetail, yes it gets its own saw. And yes I'm tired of saying the word dovetail.
Bill P. banging out some tails
Sybil marking her tail out
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