Do you use a file in your dovetail work?

[Handplanesandmore]

The latest Fine Woodworking issue has a reader's tip on using a file to fine fit the dovetail joint. Is a file part of your dovetail kit too?

Simon

[AHill]

I've never tried it. Intuitively, I would think a file would cause some tearout on the edges.

[Mike Brady]

I saw that tip too, and remember reacting...What!?

[Admiral]

I guess you could, but with a lot of care; not my intuitive, nor first, choice.

[Jim Waldron]

If dovetails need trimming, a paring chisel is your friend.

[Derek Cohen]

The risk with a file or rasp is that you can round over the face. I have tried these tools, and the only way it can work is if you press the file/rasp against the face, and keep a finger against it as if a guide. I do not know how it was done in the article.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Handplanesandmore]

Similar to this except that in the tip, the file is held with one one hand while the other hand holds a square on the top of the end grain to guide the filing -

https://www.finewoodworking.com/2015/03/...erfect-fit

Simon

[tablesawtom]

Similar to this except that in the tip, the file is held with one one hand while the other hand holds a square on the top of the end grain to guide the filing -

https://www.finewoodworking.com/2015/03/...erfect-fit

Simon

I looked at the picture to see what he was doing.,and It looks like something probably I have tried in the past. But I have found from experience that a file does not cut wood very well. Teeth are to fine and it tends to clog up the teeth. 

I use nothing but stickett sand paper, it comes in 10 yard rolls. I would be more inclined to stick a 100 grit  piece onto a board about the size of the file in the picture and do it that way, easier to control.One would need to be very careful with short strokes A person can did himself in a big hole in a very big hurry. Someone else mentioned a sharp chisel and again one would need to be very careful again or one can find himself in a big hole very quickly.

Tom

[MarkSingleton]

A file would not be my first thought either.

Sand paper makes sense. Perhaps even an emery board?

Next time I do some dovetails I guess I can try sand paper.
In the past they either go together or I "tap em" a bit and then
they do.

Maybe I am just lucky?

[knockknock]

I mainly use chisels, but I do once in a blue moon, use a Grobet VulCrylic 4 way detail file if it is better suited to the problem / defect. Where I mainly use the file, is to round off the inside corners of the tails, when doing half blind dovetails.