Cutting a Dovetail Joint
Scroll down to have a look at the steps involved in cutting a dovetail joint by hand.
Stage One
The dovetail joint is firstly drawn out on carefully selected timber which is both stable and regular.
Stage Three
Both components are knocked together with a hammer and block. The glue alone holds the joint together, as no clamps are required with such a precise fit.
Glossary
Dovetail Joint: A type of joint commonly found in traditional drawer construction, where an interlocking joint is most practical.
Tail: The wedge shaped element of the joint. First to be cut.
Pin: Marked from the cut dovetail on the second piece of wood, the receiving shape for the tail.
