How to Cut Dovetails by Hand: A Master’s Step-by-Step Method
Tight hand-cut dovetails aren’t magic — they’re a sequence. Learn the tails-first method, the three habits that close…
5 min readOct 17, 2026
Irwin
Irwin ProTouch Coping Saw
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Clears dovetail waste and cuts curves in thin stock. Cheap, simple and indispensable.
- Deep throat frame
- Swivelling blade for curves
- Tension via the handle
- Takes standard pinned blades
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- Tested in our shop before we recommend it
What we like
- Fast waste removal
- Cuts tight curves
- Very affordable
Watch out for
- Blades break if twisted
- Not for straight precision cuts
Clears dovetail waste and cuts curves in thin stock. Cheap, simple and indispensable.
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