Master craftsman Gary Rogowski ’72 on the five-minute dovetail.

Reed College
Reed College
5,213
0
Published 2018-03-01
Gary asks his students to begin each woodworking session with this exercise. The goal isn't to produce a precise joint. Rather, it’s a quick and crude warm-up exercise that helps a woodworker clear the head and focus on the bench. To Gary, the challenge of woodworking is as mental as it is physical. More at: www.reed.edu/reed-magazine/articles/2018/gary-rogo…
All Comments (9)
  • @brianrowland9993
    Brilliant! No BS the key message is get in to the shop AND just DO It! Until you internalise the process and then it is easy!
  • @chrismalcomson7640
    I'm a marquetry maker and cabinet maker. Even with 30 years experience I have a system which works well for me. Do the least visible work first. If I'm cutting the marquetry for a cabinet I'll always start with the sides or back so that if my cutting is a bit rusty it won't be staring you in the face.. The very last surface i'll do is the top which is the first thing you look at..
  • @louiskern1413
    I started watching this and then flashed back to my early wood working days in Portland. Weren't you in that wood workers group with Jim Foley, Ken Moran, Economici etc?
  • @davidziff6911
    Just starting on hand made dovetails. Might cut 20 or so like this to get the muscle memory thing going.
  • @w4baham
    Gary, Do you have any recommendations on which quality dovetail chisels to purchase? I currently have a mixture of cheap ones that I use, dovetail and bench chisels, but want to purchase a quality set.
  • @rogeranderson8763
    I just finished Gary's book 'Handmade'. "I go to the bench to be quiet with Myself' is a quote which certainly resonates with this beginner. I've been retired for a couple of years and have been learning hand tool woodworking as the 'hobby' that seems to be working for me. The focus benchwork requires (and gives) is truly a gift to one's self. From the time I put on the apron until I hang it back up, the world is not my problem. -Veteran '66-68