In the above video you’ll see a fantastic tutorial by Colonial Williamsburg craftsman Kaare Loftheim. He was kind enough to share a special tutorial on how to cut a Secret Mitered Dovetail joint!
What purpose does a secret mitered dovetail joint serve? In the 18th Century dovetails weren’t seen as a thing of beauty, as they are now. They were seen as provincial, so fine furniture makers hid the strong joint inside a cleaver miter.
I filmed this skill tutorial (and several other tutorials) inside the 18th Century Anthony Hay Cabinet Shop at Colonial Williamsburg.
Here are all my videos & articles of the Anthony Hay’s Cabinetmaking Shop at Colonial Williamsburg:
- Anthony Hay’s Cabinetmaking Shop Tour part 1
- Anthony Hay’s Cabinetmaking Shop Tour part 2
- Anthony Hay’s Cabinetmaking Shop Tour part 3
- Secret Mitered Dovetails with Kaare Loftheim at Colonial Williamsburg
- Treadle Lathe Wood Turning at Colonial Williamsburg Hay Cabinet Shop
- Resawing Wide Boards at Colonial Williamsburg Hay Cabinet Shop
- Dry Fitting a Walnut Chair with Brian Weldy at Colonial Williamsburg
- Stunning Colonial Williamsburg Mother Plane Collection
Below are a few photographs that I took at the Anthony Hay cabinet maker shop at historical Colonial Williamsburg:
Discover a treasure trove of woodworking knowledge by visiting the Anthony Hay Cabinet Shop blog.
Truly a humble but incredibly gifted craftsman to do such beautiful work and hide it all but the miter.
Thank you for sharing!