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Dovetails are interlocking carved wood joints used in cabinetry to connect two pieces of wood — drawer fronts and sides, cabinet or cupboard corners. The technique produces a sturdy, long-lasting connection. Examining these joints helps determine the age of old furniture.
Is dovetail a good furniture brand?
Embodying all things rustic-chic, Dovetail Furniture has become a leader in home furnishings since its start in 1992. Dovetail’s mission has always been to provide customers with the trendiest looks at an affordable price, all while remaining eco-friendly.
What does dovetail in furniture mean?
Dovetail refers to a type of joint in which two pieces of wood interlock. Joints that have been dovetailed are extremely strong and secure. They are usually used to construct drawers. Dovetail drawers are recognized by their distinct pattern at the outside corner of a drawer.
When did they stop making dovetail furniture?
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 point of a dovetail?
A dovetail joint is a joinery technique used in woodworking, traditionally used to joint wooden furniture. Dovetail joints are known for their inherent strength and resistance to being pulled apart (tensile strength).
What does dovetail look like?
Dovetails are interlocking carved wood joints used in cabinetry to connect two pieces of wood — drawer fronts and sides, cabinet or cupboard corners. It’s called a “dovetail” joint because the flat-bottomed triangular shape of the wood insert looks like a dove’s tail.
What does a dovetail drawer look like?
Dovetail drawers are easily recognized by their distinct dovetail joint at the outside corner of the drawer. These look like jigsaw puzzle pieces joined together at a 90 degree angle. Kitchen cabinets that have drawers secured with nails can come apart with heavy usage.
Why is it called dovetail?
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 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 the strongest wood joint?
Mortise and Tenon Woodworking Joints One of the strongest woodworking joints is the mortise and tenon joint. This joint is simple and strong. Woodworkers have used it for many years. Normally you use it to join two pieces of wood at 90-degrees.
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.
How important are dovetail drawers?
Dovetail drawers provide the homeowner with the strongest drawer joints, ensuring the drawer won’t come apart even when used every day. They are a good choice for closets and kitchens, because of the heavy use placed on drawers in these applications.
Why is a dovetail joint good for drawers?
Dovetail Joints are strong Fully loaded drawers need to be robust, to cope with the pulling force as the drawer opens. By using dovetail joints on each corner, the interlocking pins and tails of the joint resist being pulled appart and remain strong, this gives high tensile strength to the drawer.
What is Dove tale?
Dove Tale is a darker version of Elephant’s Breath and is perfect for those who are hoping for a warm grey finish. Typical of the colours used by the bohemian Bright Young Things between the wars, it is the perfect choice for the bedroom as its gentle lilac undertone creates a soft and inviting feel.
Are dovetail joints glued?
Dovetail joints show the care and craftsmanship applied to woodworking projects. A few simple gluing and assembly tips make dovetail joint easier to put together. The glue can be applied while the pieces are completely separate, which is easier, but can be messy and difficult to fit joints together.
Which is better English or French dovetail?
Both types of dovetails make high-quality drawers, and you can even find a combination with an English dovetail in the front and a French dovetail in the back. If saving space is a priority, go with English dovetails.
What are dovetail drawer boxes?
Dovetail Drawer Box Dovetail drawer boxes are usually made out of a solid hardwood like Ash or Maple. The joints at the front and back of the drawer boxes are notched to fit together like a puzzle piece. This adds extreme strength to the drawer box joints.
Are dovetail joints the best?
Dovetail joints are considered one of the strongest joints used in kitchen cabinetry construction and are the best solution for a kitchen cabinet drawer box.
Which are pins and which are tails?
The pin is the part that fits into the socket, which is formed by two tails. Pins and tails are often confused, but there’s an easy way to remember which is which. If you look at the face of the workpiece and see birdtail-shaped protrusions, those are tails; if you see rectangles, you’re looking at pins.
What color is dovetail gray?
Dovetail Grey is a soft, gray, millennial beige with a silvery undertone. It is a perfect paint color for a living room or exterior home. Pair it with light or honeyed woods and light or dark trim.
