Woodworker's Journal summer-2009, страница 16

Woodworkers can find many roads to the same result. In this exchange, which was initiated by Ian Kirby's article on the obscure "hidden, mitered dovetail" joint, the debate quickly moved to whether dovetail or biscuit joinery is "better."

Ian Kirby's article on hidden, mitered dovetails really made me question my choice of subscription. While Kirby might get an ego trip for writing such esoteric, complex and

on, they will eventually be lost. I'm sure dovetails will survive for many generations. Would "hell, why not just miter the two pieces, cut a biscuit slot, and glue it?" last just as long?

Roger Lafleur, M.D.

Brookfield, Massachusetts

In some 40 years of being in and out of the furniture making and repair business, I have seen and repaired thousands of failed joints. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of failed dovetail joints.

C. Patrick Ventrone Hillsboro, Ohio

Sure, master woodworker Ian Kirby's techniques are top-notch, but only a very small percentage of woodworkers are going to put his instruction into operation. In my view, he is wasting his breath along with beating a dead horse.

James T. Phillips Mineola, Texas

If woodworking was just about getting a project done, I'd just buy the furniture or fixture I needed.

Charles Puelo,

Henderson, Nevada

hardly relevant woodworking techniques, the practical necessity of such nonsense is lost on most of us. I read the article through three times to access what he was trying to relate and finally said, "Hell, why not just miter the two pieces, cut a biscuit slot, and glue it?" Hidden dovetails indeed!

Ron Paque San Antonio, Texas

I feel compelled to write in defense of Ian "dovetail" Kirby vs. Ron "biscuit man" Paque. Granted, hidden dovetails are not exactly something we all yearn to do, but if all the skills of master cabinetmakers are not passed

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