Table of Contents
What is dovetail joint?
A through dovetail joint uses is where the end grain of both boards is visible where the joint is assembled, creating a stunning dovetail effect from all sides of the box. This very strong joint is also sometimes known as a lapped, English, or plain dovetail.
How does a dovetail joint work?
Dovetail joints don’t require mechanical fasteners to stick together like other joinery techniques do. Rather, dovetail joints use pins and tails to interlock together, where one side has a pin that locks into the other side’s tail, and then glued together for a solid dovetail construction.
Why do they call it a dovetail joint?
Dovetail joints are made up of two parts called pins and tails. When a master craftsman wants to marry two boards together, they cut a series of pins on one board and matching tails on the other. They are trapezoidal in shape, resembling the tail feathers of a dove (hence the name dovetail).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a dovetail joint?
The disadvantages of dovetail joints are that they can be fairly difficult to mark out and cut, and if they are made badly these joints lose the advantages listed above. Depending on the project, function, and design, there are a number of different types of dovetail joints to choose from.
What is a dovetail joint good for?
Noted for its resistance to being pulled apart (tensile strength), the dovetail joint is commonly used to join the sides of a drawer to the front. A series of ‘pins’ cut to extend from the end of one board interlock with a series of ‘tails’ cut into the end of another board. The pins and tails have a trapezoidal shape.
What are common uses of dovetail joints?
Dovetail joints are commonly used to build boxes, drawers, and cabinets. The shape of the “tails and pins” in the joint make it nearly impossible to break. Glue is used to strengthen the joint but no screws or fasteners are necessary.
Is dovetail the strongest joint?
Dovetails are probably the strongest method for joining two pieces of wood, surface to surface, with the grain running in the same direction. The dovetail joint provides considerable mechanical strength because when the joint is assembled, it can’t be twisted or racked.
How do you make a dovetail joint step by step?
Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1 – Preparing the Timber. Step 2 – Measure the Depth of the Dovetails on both piece. Step 3 – Mark the Tails. Step 4 – Cut the Tails. Step 5 – Cleaning the Tails. Step 6 – Measure the Pins. Step 7 – Cut the Pin Board. Step 8 – Clean the Pins.
How do you secure a dovetail joint?
Cut from both sides of the stock to prevent splintering. Position the second piece over the first and mark the locations of the dovetails on it. Then cut in the same manner. Finally, try-fit the joint together and use a very sharp chisel to slice away the sides of the cuts so the joint fits snugly in place.
Where does the term dovetail come from?
The name “dovetail” comes from the appearance of the joint, resembling the triangle shape of a bird’s tail. The earliest examples are from furniture placed with mummies in Egypt thousands of years ago, and also in the burials of ancient Chinese emperors.
When did they stop using dovetail joints?
Wider, uniform machine-cut dovetails were common in factory-made pieces from 1890 until the modern era. If a piece has no dovetails, it can still be a candidate for refinishing if it’s sturdy and well-designed, but it’s not likely to be an old piece with antique value.
What is the difference between a dovetail joint and a finger joint?
Frid wrote that finger (or box) joints are stronger than through dovetails because the fingers offer much more glue surface. Jun 14, 2004.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a finger joint?
Finger Joint Pros & Cons Makes a straighter joint. Less wood gets wasted during manufacturing. Cost Effective. Durable for a vertical load. Adhesives can be applied to create a stronger joint than mortise and tenon.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a bridle joint?
Bridle Joint Pros & Cons Simpler alternative to the mortise and tenon joint. Can shape joint assembly and not sacrifice strength. Great for constructing narrow frames. One of the simplest joints to cut. Doesn’t require a mortising machine.
What are the disadvantages of a rabbet joint?
Rabbet Joints: Need precise measurements, which can be hard to manage without power tools. Deals with end grain often, which can be difficult to glue properly. Not always aesthetically pleasing to the eye, often used at the rear of cabinets.
Are dovetail joints still used?
They are still used today by many experienced custom furniture makers. Dovetail joints are not only used to make a strong joint for drawer construction, but cabinet makers often use them to join the tops, bottoms and sides of cabinet cases, as was done on antique furniture.
Why is a dovetail joint suitable for the construction of a drawer?
The dovetail joint that hold the sides of the drawer together consists of interlocking “tails” on one side and “pins” on the other, cut at precise angles that fit tightly together. This creates high tensile strength, which means the joint is extremely resistant to being pulled apart.
What is dovetail in cooking?
Dovetailing is the art of taking leftover ingredients from a previous meal and using them to create a fabulous meal the next day — ideal for when you and the kids have a busy schedule for the week.
What are the uses of mortise and tenon joint?
A mortise (occasionally mortice) and tenon joint connects two pieces of wood or of material. Woodworkers around the world have used it for thousands of years to join pieces of wood, mainly when the adjoining pieces connect at right angles.
