Dovetail - Definition and Overview

Diagram of a Dovetail Joint

A dovetail joint or simply dovetail is a woodworking technique used to join two pieces of wood at right angles to each other. Noted for their strength, they are 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. Once glued, the joint is permanent, and requires no mechanical fasteners.

Dovetails can be cut by hand or by machines, often with a router. The cutting of dovetails by hand is time-consuming, and is regarded by some as a mark of skill on the part of the craftsperson.

A diagram of a plain dovetail joint is shown, where the end grain of both boards is visible when the joint is assembled. Half-blind (also known as lapped) and blind dovetail joints are also possible, where the end grain of one or both boards cannot be seen in the assembled joint.

The dovetail joint has been known since the First Dynasty of ancient Egypt.

See also

• Joinery

Further reading

• Kirby, Ian. The Complete Dovetail: Handmade Furniture's Signature Joint (1999). Hertford, England: Stobart Davies Ltd.

External links

• Detailed guide from extremehowto.com (http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=60151)
• Dovetail Joints from Manufacturer and Builder, 1869 (http://pages.friendlycity.net/~krucker/Dovetail/dovetailjoints.htm)

Dovetail Joint is also the name of an alternative rock band from Chicago, formed in 1994.