Amazon Reviews of Lonnie's Mastering Dovetails DVD

Takes a lot of the mystery out of this topic

Reviewer: Jim Gannon (Northeast Ohio)

Its easy to tell Lonnie is both a woodworker AND a teacher. The process of cutting and chiseling to a line just works so well to de-mystify the process of cutting dovetails. Like other amateurs I've read many articles about how to do this but Lonnie's approach lets you master one step at a time. I attended one of Lonnie's classes and this is "his way" and it really works. It'll take some patience and some practice but, in the end, you'll be so impressed with how good you are(!!!) and how good a teacher he is.

Buy It, You'll Like It

Reviewer: Rev. Joseph M. Clark "Joe Clark" (Washington DC)

There are probably a dozen ways to cut dovetails but this is the only one which has such high quality videography combined with a master craftsman's knowledge of fine woodworking. Lonnie is a gifted teacher who has a remarkable ability to "share the trade secrets." This DVD takes the viewer through the necessary practice steps to the layout to cutting of both through and half-blind dovetails. His method is clear, repeatable and effective in producing excellent results. With this DVD, it's like having him coaching you over your shoulder. You can't miss with this one.

Really Mastering Dovetails

Reviewer: Charles E. Brandner (Petaluma, CA.)

This is my first review of anything. I also have taken Lonnie Bird's classes and been happier and more satisfied than with any class from Northern Calif to Maine. This DVD is almost as good as being in Lonnie's class. This is well worth the effort to watch and use.

Master Teacher

Reviewer: A. C. Smith (Hayesville, NC)

Lonnie Bird is a master wood worker and a master wood working teacher. His expertise stands out in his Mastering Dovetails DVD. Going step by step, the DVD contains a wealth of information to lead the student through tool selection and correct techniques for each tool, to clear and detailed steps for laying out and cutting fine dovetails. Watching the baseline slowly emerge with each fine shaving cut by a sharp chisel is enough to send any wood worker to the shop to cut some more dovetails.

Mastering Dovetails with Lonnie Bird

Reviewer: H. Kettler -

I have been fortunate to take one of Lonnie Bird's classes and I have a copy of this excellent DVD. I have viewed several DVDs on dovetails and read many articles and books.

Lonnie's approach to teaching dovetailing reached me like no other instructor. There are several things I appreciated in the DVD. First, he spelled out very clearly a set of tools that helped me to succeed. Second, his multi-step process starting with practice sawing to a line and chiseling to a line are invaluable. His clear explanation of each step makes it easy to accomplish the same thing. Unlike many others, he is very clear on the what and why of every step. I really appreciate this.

For all of the above reasons, I strongly recommend this DVD.

Just what I needed!

Reviewer: Arthur Overmyer (Fishers, IN USA)

I took a class from Lonnie and bought the dovetailing DVD to reinforce the things I learned in class. The DVD was excellent and I would recommend it to any woodworker, novice or experienced. I too, have read countless "how to" articles and debates on hand cut dovetails, but for me this was the best by far. It is packed with information, so you need to watch carefully as well as listen carefully to this DVD to get the most from it. The DVD also shows some great examples of work using this technique. There is also a section on sharpening chisels to get these results. That was an added bonus for me.

There are many places to go and learn how to make hand cut dovetails, but I think learning from, and following the tips in this DVD will absolutely give results any woodworker would be proud of. I am much more confident in my dovetailing abilities because of this DVD.

The Road To Hand Cut Dovetail Excellence

Reviewer: Charles W. Stephens "millrace5" (Gainesville, Georgia) -

Lonnie Bird's "Mastering Dovetails" is an excellent DVD which I recommend without reservation. I am a true beginner when it comes to dovetailing, but I am familiar with numerous books and videos which cover this topic.

Like any outstanding teacher Lonnie Bird has distilled the essence and demonstrated the methods one should PRACTICE to achieve EXCELLENCE in hand dovetailing. While there is much in other materials dealing with hand cut dovetails that is impressive, the teaching techniques utilized in Lonnie Bird's DVD are on target for most who would hope to master the making of fine dovetails by hand. If you are interested in this topic....then buy the DVD and PRACTICE what he teaches. You will be glad you did.

Lonnie Bird's Mastering Dovetails DVD review

Reviewer: Samuel C. Rhodes (Fort Wayne, IN) -

This is an outstanding DVD. I've taken classes from four different instructors and each of these classes involved hand cut dovetails. In order to refine my technique, I've also purchased video tapes on the subject as well as this DVD. This DVD is the best of the lot. For me it served as an excellent review and reminder for the two primary types of dovetail joints. I also loaned it to a friend who had never attempted dovetails. His results were excellent for a first timer.