{"id":3026,"date":"2022-06-05T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-05T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/?p=3026"},"modified":"2022-09-07T12:00:13","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T09:00:13","slug":"ultimate-guide-to-making-dovetail-joints-beginner-friendly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/ultimate-guide-to-making-dovetail-joints-beginner-friendly\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultimate Guide To Making Dovetail Joints (Beginner Friendly)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The dovetail joint might be one of the most fascinating techniques in woodworking. People often dread the word dovetail but it is only because people don’t understand how easy it can be to make them. Of course, it does require effort and knowledge on your part if you want to pull them off perfectly. But you need to understand that you can make dovetail joints at home. It is only about following precise measurements and cutting it square. So to help you in that endeavour we made the ultimate guide on how to make dovetail joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make a dovetail joint first you need to measure out the tails. When you are done doing that, using a dovetail saw cut the tails down to length. Afterward using a fretsaw cut them horizontally to remove the pieces from between and using a chisel square them up perfectly. Then using the tail, mark the pins, and using a dovetail guide cut them with a dovetail saw. After which you just need to clean up the pins with the chisel. If they are cut perfectly square they should join perfectly without problems.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making dovetails is time-consuming, but the satisfaction you get after you make perfectly square ones that fit together nicely is just amazing. Many woodworkers always fail at making dovetails that fit nicely together. It is all about getting the perfect measurements, if you do that you will not have any trouble whatsoever. People also always try to rush the process and end up making mistakes in the sawing process. This ultimately ruins the dovetails and makes them useless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Cut Dovetail Joints by Router (Step by Step Guide)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To make dovetails entirely by a router you will need to buy a router jig for the dovetail. You can make your own dovetail jig<\/a> but it only allows you to make pins, for the tails you need to cut them out on the scroll saw. So we will not be mentioning that method since it relies on another tool as well. For making dovetails with just the router or router table, you will need something like this Porter-Cable Dovetail Jig<\/a> that also comes with a mini template.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1 – Measuring the Boards<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To measure the board for cutting dovetail joints using a router, just simply take the thickness of the end grain of the board and use it to mark the shoulders. Now take a ruler and just find the center of the board and mark it so it can align with the center of the jig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2 – Cutting the Tails<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are using the jig we recommended, you can just clamp it with a table. It has clamping capabilities for the pieces you are going to make dovetails out of. Just use them to fix your piece on the dovetail jig and after fixing the template with the router plate, and attaching a dovetail router bit on the router, start to use the template to cut out dovetails on the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are using a router table and a more portable jig, then just clamp the tail board to it. Once you do so, just use a straight bit to just cut the tails using the jig as a guide. Move the jig very carefully and slowly, don’t rush it, let the router do its job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3 – Cutting the Pins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you are done cutting the tails, flip the jig and clamp the pin board to it. Now change the router bit to a straight bit instead of the dovetail bit and start to cut into the wood using the jig as a guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are using a router table, then just flip the jig and clamp the pin board with the jig, making sure that the centre is aligned. Once that is done, start cutting the pins out using the jig as a guide. Slowly cut out all the pieces, take your time, and don’t rush it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4 – Cleaning Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you are done, the pieces should fit together perfectly. However, in case they don’t, use your chisel to shave material off from the tail board. If it is very slightly tight then just use a file to sand off some material instead of shaving it with a chisel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once that is done then just slide both of them together if required gently tap with a mallet so they sit right. Here is a video demonstrating how it is done using a router table in less than 12 minutes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=viT3ZGAlzNw<\/a>