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?

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.

What angle is a 1 in 8 dovetail?

It would be extremely difficult to be able to pick these differences up in your dovetails on a piece of furniture by eye. So in closing your 1:4 Saddle-Tail is for all practical purposes 14 degrees, the 1:6 is close to 10 degrees and the 1:8 is about 7 degrees.

What is the difference between a 6 to 1 and 8 to 1 dovetail jig?

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 angle is a 1 in 8 dovetail?

It would be extremely difficult to be able to pick these differences up in your dovetails on a piece of furniture by eye. So in closing your 1:4 Saddle-Tail is for all practical purposes 14 degrees, the 1:6 is close to 10 degrees and the 1:8 is about 7 degrees.

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 is a standard dovetail?

The dovetail joint drawers are typically used to link the edges of a drawer to the front and are known for their tensile strength to being pushed apart. Pins or tongues cut from one board’s end interlock with the groove or tail on the other board’s end.

What is the standard dovetail ratio?

With regard to what to use, a common recommendation is 1:8 for hardwoods and 1:6 for softwoods. These recommendations are based on some arguments related to strength. However, people use a lot of different ratios depending on application and aesthetics.

What is the angle of a 11mm dovetail?

The 11 mm dovetail has a 60-degree angle, while the 3/8” dovetail has a 45-degree angle.

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 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.

What is a half dovetail?

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.

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 size dovetail chisels do you really need?

Chisel Sizes – – 12mm / 1/2″ – This will do the majority of your morticing, and come in when cleaning out the pins on those dovetails. – 19mm / 3/4″ (or above) – A nice wide chisel is very useful, and I’d probably aim at an inch, though somewhere between 3/4″ – 1 1/4″ will fit the bill.

How deep should a dovetail joint be?

so with our current scenario of 3″ we would have 2 x 3/16″ = 3/8″ plus the full pin of 3/8″ so 3/4″ pin accumulation. This then leaves 2 1/4″ for two tails so 1 1/8″ dovetails. As I said, for me, generally, I simply use 3/8″ equally for all of my pins as my standard size in my more general work.

What is the standard dovetail ratio?

With regard to what to use, a common recommendation is 1:8 for hardwoods and 1:6 for softwoods. These recommendations are based on some arguments related to strength. However, people use a lot of different ratios depending on application and aesthetics.

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 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 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 angle is a 1 in 8 dovetail?

It would be extremely difficult to be able to pick these differences up in your dovetails on a piece of furniture by eye. So in closing your 1:4 Saddle-Tail is for all practical purposes 14 degrees, the 1:6 is close to 10 degrees and the 1:8 is about 7 degrees.

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.

How thick should a dovetail jig be?

Use the jig to cut half blind dovetails for drawer construction, as well as precise comb or finger joints. Cutting up to 28mm thick material, the jig is ideally suited to utility furniture. It will also cut through dovetails, in material up to 19mm which is great for projects such as toolboxes.

What is the most popular dovetail joint?

The through dovetail joint is the most popular dovetail joint because it is strong, attractive, and versatile. It is commonly used in furniture-making, cabinetry, and woodworking. The through dovetail joint is a traditional woodworking joint characterized by the interlocking triangular shape it creates.

What is the strongest joint in woodworking?

A mortice and tenon joint is generally recognised as the toughest around. As a result, they are sensible to use for commercial joinery projects. In simple terms, it allows two pieces of wood to be connected together.

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.

Mike Walker

Repair and Construction Expert. WoodiesDIY.tv Owner