What is a Dovetail?
A dovetail is a type of joint used in woodworking to connect two pieces of wood together at a right angle. The joint is formed by cutting a series of interlocking wedge-shaped tails into one piece of wood and matching sockets or pins into another piece of wood. When the two pieces are fitted together, the dovetail joint provides a strong and durable connection that resists pulling or twisting forces.
Dovetails are commonly used in cabinetry, furniture making, and other woodworking applications where strong, high-quality joints are required. They are often used to join drawers to their fronts, as well as to connect the corners of cabinets, bookcases, and other furniture pieces.
Dovetails can be cut by hand using a chisel and saw, or with the help of specialized woodworking tools such as a dovetail jig or router. The quality and accuracy of the dovetail joint depends on the skill of the woodworker and the precision of the cutting tools used.
