Dovetail joint

The dovetail joint is made by securing, on one part, trapezoid tenons to be inserted in grooves of the same shape on the other part, so that dove tail-shaped ends show on the latter – hence the name. This type of joint provides great strength when the parts are submitted to tractions.
Difficulty level :
Tools list
Project guide service
Related Projects
Page 1/4
When
The tools
How
1. Locate tenons and tails
2. Prepare parts
3. Determine the number of tails and their position
4. Outline the tails
5. Extend the lines
6. Cut
7. Remove the hatched parts
8. Outline the tenons
9. Extend the lines
10. Cut
11. Remove the hatched parts
12. Proceed to the final assembly
13. Variation
14. To strengthen joints

When

Frequently used for joining large parts submitted to tractions; typical for making drawers and boxes.

The tools

This project requires a dovetail saw (back saw), wood chisel, a pencil and a square, or a router with bit, used with a dovetail guide.

How

A dovetail joint requires time and patience, because the drawing and cut have to be very precise, so that the two parts fit to perfection. This work can be facilitated thanks to commercial comb-shaped templates, used with a router and appropriate bits, to produce shapes quickly and precisely.

That being said, the present guide describes how to make dovetails manually:

1. Locate tenons and tails

Determine which part will receive the tenons and which will have dovetails. The rule: the part that will be submitted to tractions (e.g.: the front of a drawer) must receive the tenons, because the dovetails’ large heads will prevent the parts from separating. In this example, the part equipped with tenons is named “A” and the one equipped with dovetails is named “B”.

2. Prepare parts

Trace a line, delimiting the thickness of A, on the adjacent side at the tip of B. This line will indicate the tails’ length.
Page 1/4