Your first time can be scary — but once you finish, you’ll want to do it again and again (I’m talking about dovetails, sicko).
Hand cut dovetail joints are like a right of passage for woodworkers.
They require a level of skill and accuracy that can be intimidating. And in all honesty, your first dovetails will NOT be perfect.
But there are steps you can take to set yourself up for the best possible results — even if it’s your first time.
Today, I’m giving you 11 tips for making your first dovetails as accurate and pain-free as possible.
Just note: This isn’t a guide for how to cut dovetails (you can read that here).
But once you understand the basics, these practical suggestions will make your dovetails a whole lot better — even if you’re a total noob.
Tim Higgins
September 07, 2022
Good blog post! I can attest to the efficacy of using an alignment guide. Coincidentally I had made one from a friend’s advice a couple of weeks before reading this blog, and it really made a difference. Also, I started viewing your videos on YouTube and they are helpful, and a hoot! I just used the KM dovetail guide for the first time. I found it to be easy to use and a great help.
I found I had difficulty making dovetails because I concentrated on completing one JOINT at a time. Then I realized I wasn’t constructing a JOINT, but a BOX or DRAWER. Now I cut all my tails first, then I concentrate on the pins individually to fit the joint. Rather than handling four pieces of wood multiple times, I handle only two at a time. And a well marked piece of tape showing the inside face, up from down, and numbering the joints lessens the confusion.