Step 5: Cutting the dovetail angle
Now that we have the groove cut, it's time to cut the angle portion so that this is a dovetail. If you have a steady hand and are brave of heart, you should be able to do this freehand. I lack such old world charm, and require a guide to help me out. As described in step 1, I made a dovetail guide by ripping a straight board with my table saw's blade set at about 12 degrees. Some might argue that 8 degrees is more appropriate. Doesn't matter to me. Spin the adjustment crank randomly and let 'er fly. Just keep your fingers safely away from the blade.
Take the dovetail guide and align it to the groove on the top of the base. Do this by taking a chisel and placing it at one end of the base, along the groove, and sliding the guide up to it, then doing the same thing at the opposite end. Keep adjusting until the guide is right in line with the groove, then clamp down. Test again after clamping, because sometimes the clamping gnomes will sneak in and move stuff around, because they're little jerks like that.
With the guide in place take your largest chisel and, starting at one end of the board, remove the waste inside the groove. Use the guide to keep the desired angle. Keep the bevel of the chisel toward the groove. Because you are chiseling with the grain, this should require little effort. However, if you come across a nasty spot in the wood, carefully use the wooden hammer to persuade the wood to come out and play.
Take the dovetail guide and align it to the groove on the top of the base. Do this by taking a chisel and placing it at one end of the base, along the groove, and sliding the guide up to it, then doing the same thing at the opposite end. Keep adjusting until the guide is right in line with the groove, then clamp down. Test again after clamping, because sometimes the clamping gnomes will sneak in and move stuff around, because they're little jerks like that.
With the guide in place take your largest chisel and, starting at one end of the board, remove the waste inside the groove. Use the guide to keep the desired angle. Keep the bevel of the chisel toward the groove. Because you are chiseling with the grain, this should require little effort. However, if you come across a nasty spot in the wood, carefully use the wooden hammer to persuade the wood to come out and play.
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