How to Use a Dovetail Joint
The main reason for using dovetail joints is because of the way they look, but they are also very strong. They lock sections of wood together without any glue, nails or screws. The pieces that lock together are called pins and tails. The tail is the part that locks between the pins. When you compare it to a box joint, a box joint is easier to make, but still needs wood glue. Dovetail joints are mainly used with drawers, cabinets and other projects where strength is necessary. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wood
- Pencil
- Marking knife
- Try square
- Dovetail template
- Vice
- Saw
- Clamp
- Chisel and hammer
- Dovetail or tenon saw
- Coping saw
Instructions
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Making the Tail
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1
Cut all the way around the piece of wood with a marking knife before cutting. This keeps the wood from splitting. Use a try square to keep the lines straight.
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2
Mark off the joint with a dovetail template. Shade in the part of the wood that's going to be cut away with the pencil to stop you from cutting off the wrong pieces.
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3
Place the wood vertical in a vice. Cut the wood on the unused wood side so you can still see the pencil lines after you use the saw.
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4
Turn the wood on its side. Saw off the wood that won't be used.
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5
Insert the wood in a clamp and chisel off any excess wood if the angle on the tail is uneven.
Making the Pins
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6
Place the tail end of the first piece of wood on top of the second. Mark off the pins with a pencil.
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7
Cut all the way around the wood with a marking knife to keep the woods from splitting. Use a try square to make sure the lines are straight. Shade in the excess wood with a pencil.
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8
Insert the wood vertically in a vice. Cut on the side of the excess wood with a dovetail or tenon saw.
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9
Saw off the excess wood with a coping saw.
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10
Chisel the pins and tail if they are a little uneven. Put the two pieces together.
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