What are the rules for dovetail?

RULES: Dovetail is a better ball stroke play game played with a partner, with each player having their gross score recorded on a minimum of 8 holes. Both partners play the holes individually to the stroke play format and then select which score is entered on the card.

What is the sterling dovetail rule?

The Sterling Dovetailing Ruler was designed with a reduced size blade for woodworking. Excellent for diagnosing problems in tight spaces, especially with London style dovetails where the pins come to only a kerf. This ungraduated rule can get into spaces others simply cannot.

What are the limitations of a dovetail joint?

The disadvantages of dovetail joints are that they can be fairly difficult to mark out and cut, and if they are made badly these joints lose the advantages listed above. Depending on the project, function, and design, there are a number of different types of dovetail joints to choose from.

How far apart should dovetails be?

There should be roughly one dovetail each 25mm or so across the width. There’s no hard and fast rule so it’s up to the woodworker to use his or her judgement to decide how many are needed.

How deep should a dovetail joint be?

Typically we use 1 ½” – 2” deep dovetails that are about 2” less deep than the joist, and 4” less deep than the girt – but that is just a starting point – the loads and reactions have to be calculated from there.

What is a standard dovetail?

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, a wooden dovetail joint requires no mechanical fasteners.

What is the difference between English dovetail and French dovetail?

English dovetails are the most common. They have interlocking joints and allow the most amount of space – usually several more inches of room than you would get with French dovetails. This is because the dovetail groove cannot be put all the way at the edge of a drawer with French dovetails.

Should dovetail joints be glued?

Michael Dresdner: The only areas that require glue on dovetails are the diagonal faces. All the diagonal faces are long grain, all the square faces are end grain, and all the flat faces abut end grain. Therefore, you need only apply glue to the diagonal faces on the tails or pins, or both.

What is stronger dovetail or finger joint?

Although the finger joint is not mechanically interlocking like a dovetail, the joint is amazingly strong. Today’s modern adhesives and the large glue surface make the finger joint equally as strong as the dovetail throughout the life of the adhesive.

Are dovetails the strongest of all joints?

Dovetail is arguably the strongest joint in millwork. It’s made so that it can’t be twisted or pulled in any direction except for one. This means that it’ll take more force to break or damage the joint. Because of the preciseness of each piece, this joint is held into place without the need for extra reinforcement.

What is the best angle for a dovetail?

Although softwoods are more compressible than hardwoods, you needn’t change the dovetail angle to add strength to the joint. Any angle between 7° and 15° will work, regardless of the wood. But stay within that range. If you go below 7°, you’ll start to lose the mechanical strength of the dovetail.

Is dovetail joint permanent?

The strongest and most permanent right-angled joints made in wood are the ‘dove-tail’ joints, as illustrated below. The so-called tails and pins fit together to form a secure joint. Glue may be applied to the mating surfaces.

What is the minimum thickness for a dovetail?

In my own work I aim for a minimum size of 1/4″ and mostly 3/8″. Now that doesn’t mean I won’t go down to less or up too.

What if my dovetail joint is too loose?

When adjusting bit depth, remember “heighten to tighten, lower to loosen.” In other words, if your dovetail joint is too loose, you should increase the bit depth. On the other hand, for a joint that’s too tight, reduce the depth of cut. It might take some trial and error to get the exact setup for a perfect joint.

Are 3 8 and 11mm dovetail the same?

The 3/8 Inch is measured across the bottom of the dovetail whereas the 11 mm is measured across the top of the dovetail. A 3/8 Inch dovetail is about 12.7 mm across the top. The measurements 3/8 and 11mm are not the same for this reason plus the angles are different.

What is the common dovetail ratio?

Anything from 1:6 to 1:9 looks good and works well. Too little rise leaves corners with short grain that easily breaks off, too much rise looks like a poorly made box joint.

What is dovetail in conservative dentistry?

dove•tail. a widened portion of a prepared cavity used to increase retention and/or resistance.

What is the common dovetail ratio?

Anything from 1:6 to 1:9 looks good and works well. Too little rise leaves corners with short grain that easily breaks off, too much rise looks like a poorly made box joint.

What is the minimum thickness for a dovetail?

In my own work I aim for a minimum size of 1/4″ and mostly 3/8″. Now that doesn’t mean I won’t go down to less or up too.

When did dovetail joints stop?

By 1730, through dovetail joinery was abandoned in English furniture making in favor of the lapped construction. As furniture became more refined, furniture makers began to take pride in the construction of their drawers as well.

What is an English dovetail joint?

English Dovetail / Through Dovetail The craftsperson usually orients the tails and pins in this joint horizontally, although this isn’t a cardinal rule. It is sometimes called a through dovetail because both the pins and tails go all the way through each-other.

What is the most popular dovetail?

1) Through Dovetail Also known as the plain dovetail, this is the most common and basic type of dovetail joint. Through interlocking tails and pins, this joint showcases consistent angles, revealing the wood’s end grains on external surfaces.

Do you need to clamp dovetails?

In other words I’m hammering the pin board into the tail board not hammering the tail board onto the pin board. No need for clamps if you dovetails are tight. I will clamp a board that may have bow a little. Don’t sweat the glue bond, a good dovetail doesn’t depend on glue for much of it’s strength.

Can you make dovetail joints with plywood?

A wide variety of methods can be used to make dovetail plywood drawer boxes. They are generally considered by the woodworking industry as time-consuming and difficult to make. The dovetails can be cut by hand with a dovetailing saw and chisel or you can use a dovetail jig and router.

Can you make a dovetail joint by hand?

Of the four types of dovetail joints (through dovetail, half blind dovetail, secret mitered dovetail, and the sliding dovetail), the through dovetail is the most basic method, and a perfect one for hand cutting. Contrary to what seems to be popular belief on the internet, they are not really all that hard.

What is the weakest joint in carpentry?

A butt joint uses a simple technique whereby two pieces of material are joined together at their ends, without any special shaping or cutting. Although it is simple, the butt joint is also the weakest of the wood joinery types.

Mike Walker

Repair and Construction Expert. WoodiesDIY.tv Owner