How to Make a Sliding Dovetail Joint

A very versatile joint in woodworking is the sliding dovetail. There are many variations of this joint and you can adapt each one to your particular needs. It's relatively simple and fast to construct, especially when you have multiple joints to make at the same time. With a few basic tools and a little time, you will have this joint mastered. Don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for reasons to use it in your next project.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Pencil
• Marking gauge or utility knife
• Plunge router
• Straight cutting bit
• Dovetail bit
• Wooden fence
• Wood clamps
• Router table

Instructions

Lay Out the Joint

1. Mark the location of the dovetail slot on the wood with a pencil and straight edge. Carry these lines across the face of the piece and down one edge. This will help ensure your accuracy when cutting the slot.

2. Score the pencil line with a utility knife or a marking gauge. Scoring the line will prevent the grain from tearing out as the router cuts the slot, resulting in much less cleanup afterward. Repeat this for every slot that is going to be cut.

3. Measure the end of the board to receive the dovetail. Lay out the angled lines that will become the dovetail end of the joint. Carry the lines across the board with a pencil and straight edge. Score these lines with your knife or marking gauge as well to prevent tear-out when routing the dovetail.

Mill the Joint

1. Clamp a straight piece of hardwood as a router guide across the board that will receive the dovetail slot. Make sure it's positioned so that the router bit is dead center on the slot you marked earlier.

2. Mount a straight-cut bit in the router. Make sure the diameter of the bit is close to the full width of the slot. Turn the router on and let it get to full speed. Rout the slot by pushing the router across the board, keeping it tight against the wooden guide. Keep the router in motion until it exits the wood on the other side. Turn off the router. Routing the slot with a straight bit first removes the majority of the wood and prevents the dovetail bit from burning.

3. Mount a dovetail bit in the router that is the exact width of the slot you marked. Turn the router on and rout out the rest of the slot. Because you removed most of the wood with a straight bit on the first pass, this should go very easily. Keep the router moving through the cut until it exits the other side of the wood. Turn the router off. Repeat this for every slot that needs routed.

4. Install the same dovetail bit into a router table. Place the dovetail board end down on the table and adjust the fence until the bit lines up with your score marks. Tighten the fence and turn on the router. Run the piece through on one side and then flip it around and rout the other side. Check the fit by trying to slide this into the dovetail slot. If it's too tight, adjust the fence to take a slightly deeper cut and run both sides through again. Repeat this until you achieve a fit that is neither too tight nor too loose.

Tips & Warnings

• Woodworking can be dangerous. Read and follow all manufacturer's instructions. Always wear eye and ear protection.

References

• Fine Woodworking: Make a Tapered Sliding Dovetail