What is a 1 6 dovetail in degrees?

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 ratio is a 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 degree angle is a dovetail?

4. The angle of a dovetail joint should be between 7 and 15 degrees: too broad and the joint won’t be strong enough, too skinny, and the pin can snap. So the angle of the dovetail mainly depends on the use and wear the joint will get. Diagram showing dovetail angles vs strength from Fine Woodworking.

What is the angle of a 1 8 dovetail?

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 the slope of a dovetail joint?

There are different types of dovetail joints. The angle of slope varies according to the wood used, purpose of joint and type of work. Typically the slope is 1:6 for softwoods, and a shallower 1:8 slope for hardwoods. Often a slope of 1:7 is used as a compromise.

What is the angle of a 1 8 dovetail?

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.

Are dovetails 1 6 or 1 8?

Steeper angles like 1:6 give more strength to a joint in softwoods (in theory). The 1:8 angle gives a slimmer look, and because hardwoods are much stronger, it has plenty of hold. 1:8 is my favorite. Here’s how to set a sliding bevel or protractor to the correct dovetail angle (if you don’t have a jig or guide).

What is a standard dovetail?

Standard dovetail joints have evenly spaced cut pins and tails, traditional dovetails have wide-cut pins and smaller tails.

Is dovetail 11mm?

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.

Is dovetail the strongest joint?

But if you want to pull out against the dovetailed fingers, you will have to break them. Which is stronger, a box joint or a dovetail? A dovetail joint is stronger than a box joint because unlike the box joint, the dovetail mechanically joins the two pieces of wood.

Is 11mm and 3 8 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.

How is a dovetail measured?

Dovetail slides that must be machined accurately to a given width are commonly gaged by using a gage pin of known diameter and measured as indicated by the dimensions x and y. The gage pin should be small enough so that the point of contact e is somewhat below the corner or edge of the dovetail.

What are the 2 types of dovetail joints?

Types of Dovetail Joints Half-Blind dovetails: In these, the pins and tails are hidden. Half-blind dovetails are only revealed when moved, opened or seen from a certain angle, like behind a drawer face. In a through dovetail, both the dovetails and pins are visible.

How do you find the angle of a dovetail slot?

You could take an over or between pins measurements if it’s the male or female part. Take 2 measurements using 2 different diameter pair of pins. Assuming the edges are fairly straight you should be able to deduce the dovetail angle.

What is a half dovetail joint?

A half-blind dovetail enables the woodworker to hide the joint from the front end. The tails are housed in sockets in the ends of the board that is to be the front of the item so that their ends cannot be seen. Half-blind dovetails are commonly used to fasten drawer fronts to drawer sides.

What is the ratio of tail to pin in a dovetail joint?

The line between that end point and starting point will be the angle of your tail and pin sides. 6:1 (9.5°) and 8:1 (7.1°) dovetail ratios are the most common (though you’ll often see 4:1 and 10:1 as well).

What are the measurements for a 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. Guessing dimensions will be: depth(s), pin diameter, and dimension across/between pins.

What is a standard dovetail?

Standard dovetail joints have evenly spaced cut pins and tails, traditional dovetails have wide-cut pins and smaller tails.

What is the angle of a 1 8 dovetail?

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 the most common dovetail angle?

Percy Blandford, who has been writing about woodworking for a long time, writes in “The Woodworker’s Bible” that any angle between 7.5° and 10° is acceptable. The ideal, he says, is 8.5° for softwoods and 7.5° when joining hardwoods.

How thick should dovetails be?

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 strongest joint in woodworking?

While there are many adequately strong ways to join wood, a properly executed mortise-and-tenon joint is the strongest option.

What is English dovetail?

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.

How do you make a 90-degree joint?

Simply place the end of one piece of wood up against the top side of the other and screw them together to create a 90-degree joint. Dowels can also be used instead of screws. This is one of the weakest joints however, so you may want to use one of the next methods if you require something a bit sturdier.

What is the best joint for 90-degree wood?

MORTISE AND TENON JOINT The mortise and tenon joint is most commonly used at 90-degree intersections and is glued together.

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