to fit together well, or to cause something to fit together well with something else: [ I ] Our plans dovetailed, and we were able to meet that evening. (Definition of dovetail from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)5 days ago
What does it mean when someone says dovetail?
If two things dovetail or if one thing dovetails with another, the two things fit together neatly or have some common characteristics.
What is an example of a dovetail?
We are all dovetailed in together. They all dovetailed in together. In terms of the needs of those who have the opportunity to work for one or two days a week, the practical details of the carers’ needs should be dovetailed.
How do you use the word dovetail?
A dovetail is a joint in woodworking where two sides are fitted together with interlocking pieces. You can also use the word dovetail to show how other things fit well together — like how your picnic plans nicely dovetail with the sunny forecast.
What are dovetails explained?
Dovetail joints, one of the strongest joints in carpentry, are woodworking seams that connect two pieces of wood by fitting them in with one another, similar to connecting two puzzle pieces. The end of one piece of wood is complementary to the other, creating an interlocking corner.
What does dovetailing look like?
There are two parts to a dovetail joint, pins and tails. The tails look like the tail of a dove (hence the name), and the pins are on the opposite board and fit in between the tails to create a joint that is impossible to pull apart in at least one direction.
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.
Are dovetails necessary?
What makes the dovetail joint so important for cabinet drawer construction is its resistance to being pulled apart. The interlocking pieces create a strong joint with just the quality wood. This joint is made even stronger with glue. The front-to-side joints take the bulk of a strain on a cabinet drawer.
Why is dovetailing important?
A dovetail joint is a joinery technique used in woodworking, traditionally used to join wooden furniture. Dovetail joints are known for their inherent strength and resistance to being pulled apart (tensile strength).
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.
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.
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.
Should kitchen drawers be dovetail?
Dovetail drawers are a classic feature of high-quality cabinetry that offer both durability and beauty. The interlocking pins and tails create a sturdy structure that can withstand heavy use, while the intricate joint pattern adds a touch of elegance to your cabinets.
What age of furniture is dovetail?
The English cabinet maker first started using the dovetail joint in the mid 17th Century on walnut furniture and carried on doing this by hand until the late 19th century when they were produced by machines, mainly in the Edwardian periods.
What is the oldest dovetail joint?
A dovetail is one of the oldest forms of joinery. This method of fixing pieces of wood together has been around for 3000 years, or more – first seen in Egyptian coffins and jewellery boxes.
What is a blind dovetail?
In half-blind dovetails, the tails are embedded in the pins board without going all the way through. They give you the strength of regular dovetails with uninterrupted grain on one side, which is why they’re often used for drawers.
What is the best corner joint for wood?
A mortise and tenon joint is one of the most traditional woodworking corner joint types. Created during a time when mechanical fasteners like screws and nails were not commonly available, a mortise and tenon joint joins two pieces of wood using only quality craftsmanship, and the wood itself.
When did dovetail start?
What angle should a dovetail be?
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. Go above 15°, and you’ll leave too much short grain at the tips of the tails, which weakens the joinery.
Is dovetail warm or cool?
SW 7018Dovetail A warm, soothing gray that harmonizes well with other colors. Use it to anchor brighter hues in your space or enjoy it on its own as a palette cleanser.
What size dovetail should I use?
Your tails should be around 18mm > 35mm for fine work like drawers and 35mm > 55mm on larger work like a chest.
What are the strengths and weaknesses 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 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.
Why are dovetails used in drawers?
The dovetail joint that hold the sides of the drawer together consists of interlocking “tails” on one side and “pins” on the other, cut at precise angles that fit tightly together. This creates high tensile strength, which means the joint is extremely resistant to being pulled apart.
What is the strongest joint in woodworking?
Mortise and tenon joints have stood the test of time for their remarkable strength. This traditional joint involves a projecting piece of wood, called a tenon, securely fitting into a corresponding cavity, a mortise. It can be reinforced with glue or wedges for stability for a stronger hold.
Do they still use dovetail joints?
Dovetail joints used to be the best way to join pieces of wood, especially a box or drawer. I used to cut them by hand but now you can buy jigs. Modern glues, like Gorilla Glue, are so strong I rarely use a dovetail joint unless it’s going to show. I usually use a rabbet, or sometimes even a butt joint.
