What is the minimum thickness for a dovetail?

you; we recommend at least 8mm shanks, but 1⁄2″ would be even better, with of course the appropriate guide- bush. If you have to use 1⁄4″ shanks in hardwood, use a second router to rough out the slot centre with a straight cutter. We recommend 5⁄8″[15,9mm] as the min- imum size guidebush for sliding dovetails.

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 standard for a dovetail?

11 mm and 3/8” dovetails are the two most common types of dovetails that you can find on rifles. The 11 mm dovetail represents a standard in Europe, while the 3/8” is a standard in the USA.

What are the rules for dovetail?

RULES: Dovetail is a better ball stroke play game played with a partner, with each player having their gross score recorded on a minimum of 8 holes. Both partners play the holes individually to the stroke play format and then select which score is entered on the card.

How thick should a dovetail jig be?

Dovetail Jig rave about the user-friendly features. The jig’s patented alignment lines and router bit-depth stop simplify set up and get you up and running in no time. This versatile jig accepts stock from 1/4 to 1-1/8 inch in thickness and up to 12 inches in width.

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.

Are 3 8 and 11mm 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.

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.

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 most 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 are the weaknesses of dovetail?

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.

Is dovetail joint permanent?

The strongest and most permanent right-angled joints made in wood are the ‘dove-tail’ joints, as illustrated below. The so-called tails and pins fit together to form a secure joint.

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.

Can I make my own dovetail jig?

All you need is some standard, off-the-shelf hardware, 5 board feet of hardwood , and a piece of hardboard to make your own “comb” template. However, as I got into the project further I found some improvements I could make over manufactured dovetail jigs along the way.

Why are my dovetail joints loose?

Looseness is adjusted by changing the bit depth. If the joint is too loose, lower the bit by the amount of looseness. If too tight, raise the bit by that amount. Flushness is adjusted by changing the position of the fingerboard.

Do you need to 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 most 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.

Should dovetail joints be glued?

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 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.

Are all dovetail bits 14 degrees?

You’ll need a jig to make most dovetail joints, as well as a guide Bushing for your router. Check the instructions with your Dovetail jig to select a bit with the appropriate angle, which will usually be somewhere between 7 and 14 degrees.

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 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.

What rifles have 11mm dovetail?

What is a 1 to 6 dovetail?

A 1:6 ratio – that’s one unit horizontal with six matching units drawn vertical – lays out as a 9.5 degree angle.

Are dovetail joints strong?

Dovetail joints are very strong by design and they also offer an attractive finish that is a true sign of craftsmanship. Professionally cut and glued dovetail joints are virtually impossible to separate.

When did they stop using dovetail?

According to oldcopper.org, coppersmiths kept on dovetailing the seams until about 1900, after which better joinery technology made the time-consuming dovetail process obsolete. This means that a dovetailed pot or pan could have been hand-cut or machine-cut.

Mike Walker

Repair and Construction Expert. WoodiesDIY.tv Owner