The etymology of the name comes from the resemblance between the tenon or mortise of the joint to the shape of a dove’s tail . In Europe, the dovetail joint is sometimes called a swallowtail joint, a culvertail joint (culver also means ‘dove’), or a fantail joint.The dovetail design is an important method of distinguishing various periods of furniture. The etymology of the name comes from the resemblance between the tenon or mortise of the joint to the shape of a dove’s tail.
Where does the term dovetail come from?
What does it mean when someone says dovetail?
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.
Is it dovetail or dove tail?
If two things dovetail or if one thing dovetails with another, the two things fit together neatly or have some common characteristics. I’m following up a few things that might dovetail.
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.
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.
Who invented dovetails?
This paper considers the origins of the dovetail from ancient Egyptian cabinetwork, through its development as a builders’ and joiners’ joint, to becoming the symbol of refined cabinet making.
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 the meaning of dovetail in Oxford dictionary?
dovetail (something) (with/into something) if two things dovetail or if one thing dovetails with another, they fit together well.
Is it piggyback or dovetail?
The word was “dovetail,” a verb the urban dictionary calls a synonym for “piggyback.” Today, we’re piggybacking on that thought. With “piggyback,” used as a verb since 1952, it seems we have a failure to communicate: It’s one of those words that got lost in translation, like piglatin.
When was dovetail used?
While dovetail joints can be found on ancient Egyptian coffins from 3000 BC, they were not used in European and American furniture until the mid 1600s.
What is the most popular dovetail?
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.
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.
What are the cons 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.
Who uses dovetail?
A dovetail joint or simply dovetail is a joinery technique most commonly used in woodworking joinery (carpentry), including furniture, cabinets, log buildings, and traditional timber framing.
What are the rules for dovetail?
When was dovetail first used?
While dovetail joints can be found on ancient Egyptian coffins from 3000 BC, they were not used in European and American furniture until the mid 1600s.
What is the meaning of dovetail in Oxford dictionary?
dovetail (something) (with/into something) if two things dovetail or if one thing dovetails with another, they fit together well.
What does dovetail mean on a dresser?
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 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 strongest joint in woodworking?
Mortise and tenon joints are widely regarded as one of the strongest and most reliable woodworking joints. They involve creating a mortise, or a hole, in one piece of wood and a tenon on the end of the other piece, which fits into the mortise.
Are dovetails the strongest of all joints?
Without a doubt, dovetail joints are revered as one of the strongest woodworking joints. The strength lies in the precise shaping of the tails and pins. When these elements fit snugly together and are bonded with glue, the resulting joint becomes nearly impossible to pull apart.
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 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.
Are dovetails hard to make?
It’s true that dovetail is hard to make, but all it takes is a couple of stabs at the joint and even a novice will be happy about the results.
Is a finger joint stronger than a dovetail 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.
