Ding & NailNerd
You ever tried building a tiny, intricately joined table that’s basically a puzzle of dovetails and mortises? I’ve been mapping out the exact angles and tolerances on paper, and I’d love to see how you’ll bring those hand‑crafted joints to life without a power tool. What do you think?
Absolutely love a good puzzle in wood. Those tiny angles will bite, but a good old measuring tape, a sharp pencil and a reliable marking gauge will keep me on track. I’ll start by laying out the dovetail pattern on scrap first, then use a chisel and a hand saw to cut the mortises with a steady hand. The trick is to keep the work square and the board flat – warped boards will throw off every angle, and the splinterer will have a field day if you rush. Once I’ve nailed the pattern onto the main stock, I’ll hand‑tighten the joints with a wooden mallet and a few snug dowels for extra shear. No power tools, just a lot of patience, precise measurements, and a stubborn insistence that every joint fit like a lock and key. It’s a slow grind, but the satisfaction when the table clicks together is worth every minute.