My switch from hand cut dovetails to router jigs for drawers

I used to swear by hand cut dovetails for every drawer, thinking it showed true skill. Then I took on a big built-in project with twelve drawers and realized I'd never finish on time. I broke down and used a router jig for half-blind dovetails instead. The result was clean, consistent, and honestly just as strong once glued up. Part of me still feels like I cheated, but the other part loves getting projects done faster for happy clients. I'm now torn between the pride of hand work and the efficiency of jigs. Where do you all draw the line between tradition and practicality? Have you had a similar shift in your methods?

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

olivia8576mo ago

Router jigs are just speed-running traditional woodworking.

6

leo3456mo ago

Wait, @olivia857, you think router jigs are just speeding things up? That's crazy to me because they change the whole game. Like, try cutting a perfect dovetail by hand versus with a jig. The jig gets it exact every time, no guesswork. And for making lots of the same piece, a router jig saves days of work. It's not just faster, it's a different kind of skill, setting up the jig right. Calling it speed-running misses how much thought goes into the setup.

2

gavin7006mo ago

Man, I feel this. My one attempt at hand cut dovetails was so bad I used the board as firewood. Router jigs are a gift for people like me who lack the patience. Sure, hand work is cool, but getting things done is cooler. And hey, if the client is happy, that's what matters, right?

5