What is the minimum thickness for a dovetail?

The minimum recommended pin board thickness is 1⁄2″[13mm]. Remember, the No 128 cutters rout at 3⁄8″[9,5mm] deep. If you wish to rout a pin board less than the minimum thickness ➀, it will be necessary to pack the board up from the jig body. We suggest using a piece of 1⁄4″ to 3⁄8″[6 to 9mm] plywood for this purpose ➁.

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 size of 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.

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 are the rules for dovetail joints?

The ‘pins’ are the bits of wood between the tails so there are two half-pins; one each side. The general rule is that they measure half the thickness of timber plus around a mm, so the two dots on the shoulder line are 7mm in from each edge.

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 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 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.

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 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 strong is a dovetail joint?

The dovetail joint is very strong because of the way the ‘tails’ and ‘pins’ are shaped. This makes it difficult to pull the joint apart and virtually impossible when glue is added.

Is a dovetail joint strong or weak?

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.

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.

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. Glue may be applied to the mating surfaces.

Is dovetail the strongest joint?

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.

Can you cut dovetails in plywood?

A wide variety of methods can be used to make dovetail plywood drawer boxes. They are generally considered by the woodworking industry as time-consuming and difficult to make. The dovetails can be cut by hand with a dovetailing saw and chisel or you can use a dovetail jig and router.

What makes a dovetail joint so strong?

Methods. The dovetail joint is very strong because of the way the ‘tails’ and ‘pins’ are shaped. This makes it difficult to pull the joint apart and virtually impossible when glue is added.

Are dovetails the strongest of all joints?

The advantages of the dovetail joint are that it is the strongest of all joints, has a large gluing area, is interlocking, resists being pulled apart, looks attractive, and would hold together even without glue.

Is dovetail the strongest joint?

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.

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 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.

Are dovetail joints worth it?

Making sure that you pick a drawer joint that can withstand this type of wear and tear is crucial to the longevity of your kitchen cabinets. Dovetail joints are considered one of the strongest joints used in kitchen cabinetry construction and are the best solution for a kitchen cabinet drawer box.

What is stronger dovetail or finger joint?

For box joint, some people put a lot more fingers than it is possible to do with Dovetail. In this case, the gluing surface is larger, and the joint is likely stronger. Also, some find a way to hide a finish nail in the joint. Dovetail has the advantage of a mechanical lock independent of the glue.

How many degrees is a dovetail joint?

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. 5. They are called ‘dovetails’ because they are shaped like the tail feathers of a dove!

What is a simple dovetail joint?

The simple dovetail neck joint is a timeless design that consists of a dovetail-shaped projection on the neck fitting into a corresponding recess in the guitar body. This joint provides a secure connection, facilitating good tonal transfer between the neck and body.

Mike Walker

Repair and Construction Expert. WoodiesDIY.tv Owner