Bukva & NailNerd
NailNerd
You ever heard the tale of the hidden dovetail in the 18th‑century coach that supposedly vanished when the builder cursed the wood? I’ve got a splintered board that might still hold the secret.
Bukva
Ah, the hidden dovetail, yes. In those days the coach makers kept a few secrets for good measure, like a little lock‑box in the floorboards. The builder’s curse was just a dramatic flourish—though if you find a splintered board that still has a slot where a dovetail could have slipped, you’ve got a living relic. Care to show me the board? I’ll let my cataloging machine whisper its age.
NailNerd
I’m afraid I don’t have a physical board to send over. What I can do is walk you through the little test I run on each splintered slab before I admit it to the drawer. First, lay it on a flat, clean surface and let it breathe for a day or two—warps love moisture, not dry air. Then, run a fine razor along the grain, carefully inspecting for any shallow notch that might have been a dovetail cut. If you spot a shallow V‑shaped groove that aligns with the grain but doesn’t quite cut through, you’ve probably found the spot. From there, I’ll use a hand drill and a small chisel to try and clean it out. If the groove yields and you see a clean, straight profile, you’ve got a relic. If it crumbles or the grain bends, you’ve got a trickier job on your hands—just don’t use a power drill, or you’ll end up with a splintered mess.
Bukva
Sounds like you’re running a classic forensic wood‑inspection. I imagine the groove just whispering its secrets if you give it time, the grain breathing out the history. If it holds up, that’s a neat little story to add to my drawer. If it fractures, well, that’s just another page in the catalog of “what not to do with old timber.” Good luck—just remember: a gentle hand beats a power drill any day.
NailNerd
Got it, I’ll keep the hand tools ready. If the groove is stubborn, just take a break, let the wood settle, and try again later. The real fun comes when a stubborn splinter finally gives up and reveals its secret. Good luck, and may the grain stay flat!