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 measurements for a dovetail?
Your tails should be around 18mm > 35mm for fine work like drawers and 35mm > 55mm on larger work like a chest. Decide on your tail size remembering “One more tail than pin”. I have a distance between half pins of 330mm and I have chosen a pin size of 10mm. Set dividers to 1 tail +1 pin.
What is the average size of a dovetail?
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).
What is a standard dovetail?
A series of pins cut to extend from the end of one board interlock with a series of ‘tails’ cut into the end of another board. The pins and tails have a trapezoidal shape. Once glued, a wooden dovetail joint requires no mechanical fasteners.
What is the best 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 is a 1 8 dovetail ratio?
A 1:8 ratio – one unit horizontal with eight matching units drawn vertical – is an angle of 7.1 degrees. I doubt woodworkers in the last century had as strong a passion for being precise as woodworkers today. In fact, my guess is that most 18th- and 19th-century woodworkers simply picked up a saw and went at it.
What is the minimum thickness for a dovetail?
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.
How deep should dovetails be?
Try to keep the depth of the dovetail groove between 1/3 and 1/2 the thickness of the part. For example, if the gable of a chest of drawers is 3/4″ thick, machine the dovetail groove between 1/4″ and 3/8″ deep. Any deeper and you will weaken the gable too much.
What is the most popular dovetail joint?
Single-lap Dovetail The single-lap (known to many folks as a half-blind dovetail) is the best known of the dovetails since it’s used to join the front to the sides of a drawer.
What is the most common dovetail bit?
The MATCHFIT System was designed around a standard ½”, 14-degree dovetail profile because it is one of the most common dovetail router bits on the market. Despite its benefits, readily available dovetail bits presented a challenge – they cut to a sharp tapered point.
What is the spacing for a dovetail joint?
What are the dimensions of a dovetail slide?
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.
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.
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 a 3 8 dovetail?
3/8″ dovetail rails, sometimes call tip off rails, consist of two thin parallel grooves and are used almost exclusively on rimfire rifles and air rifles. 3/8″ dovetail rails are a common, standardized style within the rimfire industry and are inexpensive to machine into the firearm’s frame.
How many pins are in a dovetail joint?
There is usually a three pin setup but more or less pins can be used depending on how much strength and aesthetics you want.
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.
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.
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.
Is a dovetail joint strong or weak?
Dovetail joints are known for their inherent strength and resistance to being pulled apart (tensile strength).
Is Picatinny and dovetail the same?
The Picatinny rail system is a more simple affair. It is a standard width and angle that manufacturers around the world all produce. The angle is 45 degrees as opposed to the 30 degrees that dovetails are regardless of their width. Some rifles come with an integral Picatinny rail machined into the receiver.
Will 3 8 scope rings fit 11mm dovetail?
The only significant difference between a 3/8″ dovetail and an 11mm dovetail is the angle of the dovetail groove. They both measure about the same width when measured at the same locations. The mounts can be designed to be interchangeable between dovetail types, but may not always be the case.
Do you need to glue dovetails?
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.
Can you put dovetails in plywood?
Uni-directional plywood is the product to use for chip-free dovetailed sides. Standard bi-directional ply for fronts and backs.
