The Complete Dovetail: Handmade Furniture's Signature Joint [Paperback]

Ian Kirby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001

The dovetail joint, which woodworkers rely on for making boxes and drawers, is the hallmark of fine craftsmanship. This unique and comprehensive handbook unlocks the intricacies of the classic joint. Woodworkers will learn exactly how to design and lay out all forms of the dovetail, and how to saw and chisel the mating parts for a perfect fit. With detailed explanations at every step and a refreshingly contemporary approach, master craftsman Ian Kirby shows how to achieve superb results with traditional hand tools as well as modern router jigs. Variations include the through, single-lap and double-lap dovetail; the secret miter dovetail; dovetail housings; and rail-to-leg dovetails. Every serious woodworker will need to own this essential reference.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A comprehensive and easy to understand guide of how to construct the dovetail joint."  —Woodworking Magazine

From the Publisher

The woodworker's comprehensive guide to designing and making all forms of the dovetail joint, by hand and with machines. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Linden Publishing; 1st Linden Publishing ed edition (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941936678
• ISBN-13: 978-0941936675
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A week in Ian Kirby's shop, July 21, 2000

By 

W. David McGuinn Jr. (Columbia, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Dovetail: Handmade Furniture's Signature Joint (Paperback)

Woodworking magazines are forever publishing articles describing methods for making dovetail joints. There are articles on router jigs for dovetails, home made jigs for dovetails, dovetails on the table saw and dovetails on the band saw. None of that is in this book. Nevertheless, the title is not misleading. To Ian Kirby, those methods have nothing to do with dovetail joints. So, absent those table saws and jigs, how can he do 151 pages on four simple hand-made joints. Well it is easy if you consider this book not a treatise on joints, but the essential textbook for a hands-on weeklong beginning course in woodworking in Kirby's shop. Mr. Kirby is obviously a teacher. The book focuses on the smallest detail, from how to mark the face side of a rough board you have just prepared with a hand plane, to how to stand when you pare horizontally with a chisel. In these small details, Mr. Kirby is precise and opinionated. I can easily invasion enthusiastic disagreement over these details with other classically trained master woodworkers. But only the most thorough understanding and elegant skill could give one the right to disagree. The writing style is as simple, straightforward and precise as the joints it describes. The illustrations and pictures are clear and explanatory. Nevertheless, Mr. Kirby often presumes on the reader's woodworking vocabulary and knowledge of drafting. The book sometimes expresses the impatience of a master who sees the subject clearly and cannot fathom the student's incomprehension. If your woodworking ideal is cutting gnomes from plywood on a scroll saw or running out to buy the latest laser-guided nuclear-powered jointer you just saw "advertised" on the "New Yankee Workshop" this book is not for you. But, if you want to learn how to quickly and precisely create dovetails with simple hand tools, and you are willing to actually do the exercises Mr. Kirby prescribes, buy this book. A last word of caution though - know how to sharpen your tools first.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best guide for hand cut dovetails, December 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Dovetail: Handmade Furniture's Signature Joint (Paperback)

Thank you Ian Kirby! Thank you. I am new to woodworking and was fascinated with the hand cut dovetail. I purchased Ian's book a few month ago, and it was easy to read, complete and authoritative. I'm sorry, but you cannot learn how to dovetail from a three page magazine article. This book is comprehensive, with good photographs. I did Ian's practice joints, then made a bookshelf joined with dovetails. They turned out great. Then I walked into a master woodworking class and the project required hand-cut dovetails. It was quite intimidating but I was confident in my dovetails. I even brought the book along. My dovetails were gorgeous - the best in the class! The project went great. Ian Kirby is the best! He is a master of woodworking and his book reflects this.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on handcut dovetails, July 6, 2005

By 

SoulCatcher "A tool user" (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Dovetail: Handmade Furniture's Signature Joint (Paperback)

I have plenty of articles and books on cutting dovetails by hand. I have dutifully followed the steps, instructions, etc. provided yet my dovetails are still not as good as I would like them to be. However, Kirby's book is the first one that explained the basics in a clear form, provided a good set of steps and REASONS behind why things are done in a certain order.

After reading Kirby's book and following his techniques, my dovetails are far better. I also bought a copy for my brother, and he too likes this book alot.