What dovetail ratio is best?

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). As a general rule of thumb: Use 1:6 for softwoods. Use 1:8 for hardwoods.

What is the ratio for 14 degree dovetail?

This 14° marker equates to a ratio of 1:4. When used with thinner stock, the 14° angle results in a better looking joint. This different angle also gives you a slightly stronger dovetail interlock on the thinner material.

What is a 1 8 dovetail ratio?

1:8 is an alternate means of describing an angle, as opposed to “degrees”. It means the same angle as would be described if you laid a straight edge across a framing square, with the edge touching at 1″ on one leg of the square and on the other leg touching at 8″. If I remember right, this is about 7 degrees.

What is a 6 to 1 dovetail?

The left-hand photo shows the “ratio” method to layout the angle of your dovetails. (I used SketchUp to draw and show the angles.) A 1:6 ratio – that’s one unit horizontal with six matching units drawn vertical – lays out as a 9.5 degree angle.

What is the most popular 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 a 1 8 dovetail ratio?

1:8 is an alternate means of describing an angle, as opposed to “degrees”. It means the same angle as would be described if you laid a straight edge across a framing square, with the edge touching at 1″ on one leg of the square and on the other leg touching at 8″. If I remember right, this is about 7 degrees.

What is a 6 to 1 dovetail?

The left-hand photo shows the “ratio” method to layout the angle of your dovetails. (I used SketchUp to draw and show the angles.) A 1:6 ratio – that’s one unit horizontal with six matching units drawn vertical – lays out as a 9.5 degree angle.

What is the common dovetail ratio?

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). As a general rule of thumb: Use 1:6 for softwoods. Use 1:8 for hardwoods.

What is the standard 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 11mm dovetail the same as 3 8?

However, that is not the only difference between the two dovetails. They also have different groove angles as shown below. The 11 mm dovetail has a 60-degree angle, while the 3/8” dovetail has a 45-degree angle.

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 are common dovetail sizes?

Dovetails come in several different types and sizes depending on manufacturer, but the most common are the 11 mm and 3⁄8 inch (9.5 mm). Some other less known, but currently commercially available dovetail mounts, are 12, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 16, 16.5, 17 and 19 mm.

What are the rules for dovetail joints?

The general rule is that they measure half the thickness of timber plus around 1 mm along the shoulder line. So these two awl dots are 7 mm in from each edge. These two dots, which mark the corners of the half pins, are now converted into a 1:8 slope at each side.

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 an English dovetail joint?

A dovetail joint is a locking joint. The English dovetail construction tends to allow for the largest possible drawer storage capacity. French dovetail construction is used for more elaborate features such a curved, bowed design.

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.

What is a 1 14 slope?

Commercial vs. According to these standards, the maximum slope for a commercial wheelchair ramp should not exceed 1:14, which translates to an approximate slope of 7.14 degrees. This means that there should be 14 units of horizontal run for every unit of rise.

What slope is a 12 1 ratio?

1:12 slope ratio (ADA Recommended) means that for every inch of rise, you will need one foot of ramp. the ground) would require a 12-foot ramp to achieve a 1:12 ratio. 2:12 slope ratio means that for every two inches of rise, you would need one foot of ramp. Maximum Degree Angles: 4.8 º for ADA compliance.

What is the formula for measuring dovetails?

To obtain dimension x for measuring male dovetails, add 1 to the cotangent of one-half the dovetail angle α, multiply by diameter D of the rods used, and add the product to dimension α.

What is a 1 8 dovetail ratio?

1:8 is an alternate means of describing an angle, as opposed to “degrees”. It means the same angle as would be described if you laid a straight edge across a framing square, with the edge touching at 1″ on one leg of the square and on the other leg touching at 8″. If I remember right, this is about 7 degrees.

What is a 6 to 1 dovetail?

The left-hand photo shows the “ratio” method to layout the angle of your dovetails. (I used SketchUp to draw and show the angles.) A 1:6 ratio – that’s one unit horizontal with six matching units drawn vertical – lays out as a 9.5 degree angle.

What is the best length for a dovetail saw?

Even if you’ll use your saw mostly for run of the mill drawer dovetails, the longer length will give much straighter cuts, and be much faster. It will also help you to see square. Go for around the 10″ (250mm) mark. Maybe a little longer if you work thicker stuff.

Is dovetail the strongest joint?

A box joint provides more glue surface than a dovetail and should be used if strength is your purpose. Dovetails are still used because they are pretty, though. The strongest joint is lamination. The flat sides of timber length grain to length grain.

What is the strongest wood joint?

Mortise and tenon joints are widely regarded as one of the strongest and most reliable woodworking joints. They involve creating a mortise, or a hole, in one piece of wood and a tenon on the end of the other piece, which fits into the mortise.

What is the main wood joinery method dovetail?

Sliding dovetail joints function by joining two boards at a right angle, with the side of one wooden board cut into a tail. The other wooden board needs to have a socket cut into it away from the edge of the board. The two pieces interlock when you slide the tail into the socket.

Mike Walker

Repair and Construction Expert. WoodiesDIY.tv Owner