Dovetails Love Them or Hate Them

I have included a number of videos on cutting dovetails. 

Overtime you will develop your own style for cutting dovetails. 

Dovetails are one of the strongest joints because of the large gluing area, which is why they are suitable for drawer fronts.


PDF opposite shows the designs created by a previous years class. 

1314 Trinket boxes display.pdf 1314 Trinket boxes display.pdf
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                                           Automatic Dovetail Machines  

Watch the video on the Omec Dovetailing Machine.     You will be using this machine to make drawers for your second project. 


Hand Cut Blind Dovetails ( AKA Lapped Dovetails or Stopped Dovetails)

This video is from the Wood Whisperer, he is American so some of the terminology used is different to ours, but methods and standard of video are quite good. 

he cuts lapped dovetails using a traditional dovetail saw.

Do you agree with his methods and style?

What would you do differently?

This video shows a newer version of the OMEC dovetailing machine. Note that you can adjust the angle of the fence so that dovetails can be carried out on material less than 90deg.  

Askwoodman.com a short demonstration on how to use Gyokucho brand Japanese Saws. 

David Barron demonstrates cutting dovetails using a JapSaw with magnetic guides. He cuts tails first!

Can you highlight anything that you would do differently?

List the steps that you would take to mark out and cut these dovetails. 

Can you estimate how long it would take you to create this joint?Hand Cut Blind Dovetails (AKA Lapped Dovetails or Stopped Dovetails)