School Header - How to Transfer the Tails

How to Transfer the Tails

In this lesson, I will show you how to transfer the tails to the pins for maximum accuracy. I also share some extra tips and tricks to help you align the boards perfectly in the first place.

Lesson Objectives

One of the techniques we cover is the vee groove technique which allows you to align the inside corners of the joint with ease. It also means that if the board was to slip for whatever reason, you have a very good chance of getting it in exactly the same position as before.

I prefer using a Swann-Morton SM-01 blade to mark these lines as it is thin enough to get between the smallest of tails, yet rigid enough to not bend excessively like other scalpel blades.

These can be purchased directly from Swann-Morton alongside a handle. Or if you would prefer to treat yourself to a premium wooden handle to fit a selection of their blades, you can purchase a handle from my store. These are available in over 15 different types of wood and 4 different ferrule materials making them fully customisable to you own taste.

By the end of this lesson, you will have all four corners marked out and ready to cut in the next episode.

A Custom Marking Knife in Bocote and Brass
Previous Lesson

How to Cut the Dovetails

Next Lesson

How to Cut the Pins

Supporting Material

Click the images below to see supporting material helping you with this part of the project.

Want to know what my favourite tools are for hand cut joinery? This video will talk you through everything that I could not live without in my workshop.

If you’re looking for some extra little tips to help you with your dovetailing, there are some great pointers in this video that will help you to improve everything from your marking out to sawing to chiselling.

Seriously? How to use a chisel correctly? Do I really need to watch this? The short answer is yes. Yes you do.

Have you got the plans yet?

Package includes working drawings, a cutting list, and a 3d SketchUp model!

The Student Series

Want to see another beginner make this project before you? It’s a great way to scope out any mistakes before you make one yourself!

Marking gauge lines too shallow for vee groove – 0:39

Positioning tails when transferring – 2:25

Which part Rob found the most difficult – 9:30

Robs suggestion to you – 11:15

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