Glossary D

Dado, also Dado Blades, Dado Head, Dado Set, Dado Plane

Another entry, on Woodworker's Joints, such as Dado, Mortise and Tenon, Rabbetts, treats together, comparatively, many examples as Woodwork Joints

Deal

Dentil

Design

For a woodworking project, a mental plan, set to paper -- a chair, a table a bureau, a workbench -- in the form of a measured drawing, diagram or other similar representation. Design adds to plan an emphasis on both purpose/utility and artfulness, thereby suggesting a definite pattern. Design, primarily, is used in reference to a completed work, and indicates the degree in which artistic order, harmony, and integrity are achieved, in spite of diversity, in the parts, and where "beauty" results from unity in variety. In other words, from one perspective, aesthetics, design presents an important consideration: Is the appearance of a completed object satisfying to the eye? Read More

Diamond Match

A veneering term, it applies to the manner in which veneer is laid. When the face veneer of plywood is so laid as to form a diamond figure it is called a "diamond match."

Source: Home Craftsman 4 November- December 1935, page 94.

Distributive Education

Do-It-Yourself Movement

The idea that rather than being dependent upon an expert doing something for you -- like a master Carpenter constructing your house, you take it upon yourself to "do-it-yourself", by "learning how on the job".

(This entry will be supplemented by my discussion in Chapter 7:-- Background Information. )

The Oxford English Dictionary shows that the phrase has a long history, tracing back to 1616. Even William Penn, in 1693, used it. According to Catherine Dean, the phrase "do it yourself" first appeared in print around  1912. Another source [which I have to locate] traces the concept -- "home improvement" --  as leisure activity associated with  the introduction of the first "power" tool, the treadle-driven scroll saw, popular during the 1870s and 1880s. But its current meaning evolved in the 20th century, with the big push coming in the post-WW II era.

Sources: Carolyn M. Goldstein, Do It Yourself: Home Improvement in 20th-century America Washington and New York: National Building Museum and Architectural Press, 1998. 109 pages. Review by Catherine Dean; See bibliogrphy in glossary folder; also what can be found on: "Do It Yourself: Home Improvement in 20th-century America." National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20001.

Dovetail

An interlocking Joint consisting of a series of Mortise and Tenon members whose sides are cut at an Angle other than a right angle to prevent the joint from being pulled apart. It is inserted from the side.

Source: Home Craftsman 4 March-April 1935, page 172.

Dovetail joints have a long history. For example, Laszlo Katz shows an Egyptian dovetail for a box that traces back to 3400 BC. Egyptian, XI Dynasty (Ca. 2133-1991 B.C.)  XI Dynasty Toilet chest, Thebes. XII Dynasty, during the reign of Amanemhet IV.The Metropolitan Museum of Art. See also gloosary_woodwork_joints.htm

Dowel

Dowel, Biscuit, Floating Tenon, all serve a similar function: See also glossary_woodwork_joints.htm

Dowel Screw

A Dowel threaded on both ends.

Source: Home Craftsman 4 November- December 1935 page 94.

Drawknife

Drill Bit

Drill-chuck

Much more to come, but briefly, a device in a Lathe or drilling-machine for holding the shank of the drill bit.

Drill Press

A power tool for drilling or boring. It evolved from the hand tools for drilling/ boring, such as the Brace and Bit applied to contrivances of many kinds for boring holes in metal, stone, and other hard substances, from a pointed steel tool to an elaborate drilling machine.

Drill Press: click here for entry on drill press

A power tool for drilling or boring. It evolved from the hand tools for drilling/ boring, such as the Brace and Bit applied to contrivances of many kinds for boring holes in metal, stone, and other hard substances, from a pointed steel tool to an elaborate drilling machine.

Drills

Also Taps and Dies

Source: Tubal Cain, pseud. Drills, Taps, and Dies Swanley, England: Argus Books, 1976)

Drivescrew

A screw that is driven home or nearly home with a hammer instead of a screwdriver.

Source : Home Craftsman 4 November-December 1935 page 94.

Dust Free

A finish on a woodworking project -- i.e., chair, table -- is dust free when it has sufficiently dried that any dust collecting from the surface will not adhere. Ex: Four-hour varnish will be dust free in four hours.

Source: Home Craftsman 4 September October 1935 page 44.