I've been looking for a kerf extender for playing around with half-blind dovetails. The one from Cosman is $129. I'm sure it's top-notch, but too pricey for me. Taytools has one for ~$32, but there's shipping & tax on top of that—and how good it it?
Then I got another idea. I have several Japanese saws, and this one 150mm dozuki had served its time. I decided to repurpose it for my kerf extender.
I modeled it after the photos online. I cut it to length with an angle grinder, and leveled the teeth on a slow speed grinder. I then flattened the face so it's square with a file and diamond plate.
It came out great and performs well. That's it at the top. The chisel is from a new set of Japanese chisels I bought recently. These things are incredible. I might do a review when I get time.
As for half-blind dovetails... let's just say that the kerf extender outperformed the user.
For my first ever hand cut half-blind dovetail, I'll give the repurposed dozuki an A+, and the user a C-/D+.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
Great idea Rich! I've never hand cut half-blinds either. I have a PC jig for router DTs and half-blinds are the only time it's ever seen any action. Next time I need some, I'll explore a kerf extender and how to use it. It would be nice to get that jig out of the shop.
Mine is one of the old ones Petey so it's not as big as yours. But it hangs on the side of my router table cabinet and I'm constantly banging my knee on it. Plus tools that take up space where something else could live peeve me.
I'm just tinkering around. I've gotten decent at through dovetails and wanted to try half-blind. If I had to do a bunch of drawer boxes or something, I'd pull out my jig. I don't have the patience to do them all by hand. Actually, these days I'd be most likely to do drawer boxes with my Domino. I got some 5x30 sipo dominos that look nice.
I also threw this fixture together for securing the boards to transfer the tails to the pin board. Like I said, just goofing around in the shop.
Oh, and yes, that 375 gram hammer is metric.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
Get what U ask & pay for….. but the kerf extender at Taytools looks OK for a perishable tool only $29 less 10% for subscribing. Ask them to ship cheapest way (ground) wrapped in envelope rather than box. Or spend $100. More stuff, free shipping Or could make one….
