Dukester,
IMHO, making hand cut dovetails is not for the faint of heart or for
those without time on their side. It is not easy, it does take practise and
it does take skill. Whether it is worth it in the long run is up to you.
Two hours on one six inch set of dovetails is not at all uncommon when you
are at the base of the learning curve. I had lots of dovetail problems
before taking a course; twelve weeks of one day a week. The culmination of
the course was making a box with hand cut half blind dovetails. Everyone
was able to do a creditable job. If all you want to do is make stuff, buy
the gadget. If you want the satisfaction that comes with learning get into
a course. Paying for instruction saves incredibly on the learning curve.
Dave