What are the rules for dovetails?

What are the standards for dovetail design?

As a rule of thumb the dovetail’s maximum width should occupy approximately 1/ 2 to 3/ 4 of the gasket’s width (leaving a 1/ 4 – 1/ 8 of gasket width on each side). For larger gasket widths, multiple dovetails can be made side-by- side, facing the same direction or inverted.

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.

What are the important facts about dovetail joints?

Dovetail joints are known for their inherent strength and resistance to being pulled apart (tensile strength). A dovetail joint has a series of pins and tails in a trapezoidal shape and once glued a dovetail joint has no need for mechanical fasteners.

What is the ratio for dovetails?

Dovetail angles are usually expressed as ratios — the most common being 1:6 and 1:8 (said “one in eight,” and also written as 6:1 or 8:1).

What angle should a dovetail be?

Lower (7° to 9°) angles are often advised for joining hardwoods, while higher angles (10° to 14°) are recommended for softwoods and even higher angles (14° to 18°) for half-blind dovetails.

What are the pros and cons of a dovetail joint?

The interlocking dovetail joint has a large gluing area, further adding to its strength. Hand cut dovetail joints require precise handsaw and chisel skills, and can be fiddly to mark out and cut. If dovetail joints are poorly made they will lose the advantage of strength and durability.

What is the minimum thickness for a dovetail?

Structurally I have looked for pin strength in dovetails as the dovetailed aspect is always strong because it is always at least as wide and mostly wider than the pins. In my own work I aim for a minimum size of 1/4″ and mostly 3/8″.

Should you glue dovetail joints?

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 the strongest joint in woodworking?

What is the strongest woodworking joint? For excellent stability, the mortise and tenon joint is a great choice. It’s a relatively simple joint, yet it holds well. Woodworkers have been using it for generations because of its strength, versatility and simple design.

Why are dovetails so hard?

The dovetail joint is very strong because of the way the ‘tails’ and ‘pins’ are shaped.

What is the easiest wood for dovetails?

If it wasn’t for the overwhelming majority of woodworkers agreeing that poplar is the best wood for dovetail practice I probably would have listed beech as the #1. It’s cheap for a hardwood, soft enough not to ruin hand tools, hard enough for use in fine furniture, and has a beautiful creamy look and feel to it.

What is the most common dovetail joint?

Single-lap Dovetail The single-lap (known to many folks as a half-blind dovetail) is the best known of the dovetails since it’s used to join the front to the sides of a drawer.

What is the minimum thickness for a dovetail?

Structurally I have looked for pin strength in dovetails as the dovetailed aspect is always strong because it is always at least as wide and mostly wider than the pins. In my own work I aim for a minimum size of 1/4″ and mostly 3/8″.

What is the difference between 11mm and 3 8 dovetail?

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 size is a standard dovetail?

DoveTail Description: 60 degree dove tail, approximately 1-inch tall and 4-inches across the tail corners and uses a 1/4-inch thick gib plate on one side.

What are the dimensions of a standard dovetail slot?

The dovetail slot is nailed to the inside of the form. When the concrete is poured and the form is removed, the slot allows anchors to be installed and adjusted vertically. Standard Size: 1″ x 1″ narrowing down to a 5/8″ throat in 10 foot lengths.

What is exempt from GDPR?

Here are some examples of where GDPR exemptions can apply: Law enforcement – Police and secret services are exempt from the GDPR in certain contexts. Journalism – The GDPR cannot be used to suppress the freedom of the press. Education – Universities are not always required to provide access to students’ exam papers.

What is the legal requirement for GDPR?

The GDPR requires a legal basis for data processing “In order for processing to be lawful, personal data should be processed on the basis of the consent of the data subject concerned or some other legitimate basis,” the GDPR explains in Recital 40.

What are UK GDPR adequacy regulations?

UK adequacy regulations set out in law that the legal framework in that country, territory, or international organisation, or in a particular sector in a country or territory, has been assessed as providing ‘adequate’ protection for people’s rights and freedoms about their personal data.

What is a 1 to 6 ratio dovetail?

A 1:6 ratio – that’s one unit horizontal with six matching units drawn vertical – lays out as a 9.5 degree angle. A 1:8 ratio – one unit horizontal with eight matching units drawn vertical – is an angle of 7.1 degrees.

What is the hardest dovetail?

Fully blind dovetails still implement the pins and tails visible in the through and half blind dovetail approach, but they’re concealed from both sides. These are the hardest types of dovetail joints to recognize, and arguably the hardest to build.

Which part of a dovetail do you cut first?

The first thing I do is use my dovetail saw to cut in the waste area, and right up next to the line. I try to leave just the pencil line, and no more. But if you’re having a hard time cutting right next to the pencil line, then just cut a little further into the waste.

When did they stop using dovetail?

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.

Is dovetail the highest quality?

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.

Which is better English or French dovetail?

While both English and French dovetail construction are very sturdy and high quality, English dovetail construction is slightly sturdier with the trade-off of being more expensive and time-consuming to produce.

Mike Walker

Repair and Construction Expert. WoodiesDIY.tv Owner