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Had a day last week where every dovetail joint slid together perfect on the first try
I mean, I've been building cabinets for about eight years now and that almost never happens. Usually I'm fighting some gap or coping with a chisel for fifteen minutes. But last Tuesday I was working on a set of cherry drawers for a kitchen remodel in Eugene and every single pin and tail fit like they were meant to be together. No sanding, no shims, no cussing under my breath. It was just one of those days where the router bit stayed sharp and my layout marks were dead on. I even checked my square twice because I didn't trust it. Has anyone else had a run of luck like that where everything just clicks for a whole day?
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the_faith8d ago
Oh man, "every single pin and tail fit like they were meant to be together" is basically woodworking poetry right there. I think you accidentally sold your soul to the woodworking gods that day because that kind of perfect fit is like seeing a unicorn in a lumber yard. My last "perfect" dovetail day turned out to be me measuring wrong on both sides so they matched but were half an inch off the actual drawer front. So yeah, I'm filing this under "nice brag but I don't believe you" with a side of serious jealousy.
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sanchez.ivan8d ago
Man, measuring wrong on both sides so they match is a classic move. Try clamping a story stick to the drawer front and transferring the actual width straight to your boards next time, it saves you from adding or subtracting fractions. That way you know your pins and tails will actually fit the opening instead of just looking good together.
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