Make a Dovetailed Step Stool with Megan Fitzpatrick

Make a sturdy Shaker-inspired step stool in this introduction to hand-cut dovetails. In this two-day class, you’ll learn:

• Dovetail layout using dividers
• How to use a backsaw to saw to a line
• How to wield a coping or fret saw
• How to pare and chop to a line with a chisel
• Strategies for transferring the tails to the pinboard
• Techniques for fitting the joint
• How to lay out then cut and fair the arches (or other cut-out shapes) 
• How to smooth-plane your surfaces
• And of course, how to put it all together (and why I like liquid hide glue).

For information on Covington, including where to stay and where to eat, click here.

Cost


The class fee is $475 (due at registration), which includes materials and lunch both days. (Cancellations will be accepted up until four weeks before the class for a full refund. If cancellation occurs within four weeks prior to the start of class, a refund will be issued only if the slot can be filled.)

For information on Covington, including where to stay and where to eat, click here.

Tool List

• Cutting/Marking Gauge (FWIW, I prefer a wheel marking gauge, such as the Tite-Mark)
• Dividers (two pair if you have ‘em)
• Marking knife (ideally a spear-point knife, but any will do)
• Dovetail template/marking gauge or bevel gauge
• Dovetail saw
• Coping saw or fretsaw
• Bevel-edge chisels (ideally 1/4” or 3/8”, and 1/2” – but bring whatever you have)
• Chisel Mallet
• Rasp (11 or 13-grain)
• Files and/or sandpaper (#80 through #180-grit)
• Block plane
• Smooth plane
• Double square (a.k.a. diemaker’s square or machinist’s square)
• 6” square
• .5mm mechanical pencil (yes, really – .5!)

We have a small number of tools to share for those who need them.

If the class sells out, we recommend signing up for the waitlist – we almost always have to fill at least one space.