Dovetailed drawers are an attractive way to store your most valuable possessions. It takes time and patience, but with the right dovetail saws and dovetail techniques, you can make beautiful dovetailed drawers. In this article, we will teach you how to make dovetailed drawers in 5 easy steps.
Let’s get started.
What are dovetailed drawers?
Dovetails are pieces of wood that interlock like puzzle pieces. They are found on the side or bottom edge of drawers, cabinets, and other furniture, but they do not have to stop there.
You may also use dovetailed joints in all interior corners for extra strength. As you add dovetails into your projects it becomes more difficult because you need precision tools such as dovetail saw blades which makes them an expensive investment.
Why go through the trouble? Well with a dovetailed drawer everything fits together seamlessly leaving no gaps between your drawers and it provides much-needed stability as well as resistance against racking because each side is reinforced by another piece of solid stock or plywood from either side.
2. The key to a successful dovetail joint is an accurate layout
When the saw cuts through the wood, it should cut perfectly into both pieces of wood, and thus create a strong bond between them.
There are three different types of joints that can be created with this tool: a half-blind dovetail joint, a full-blind dovetail joint, and an open dovetail joint. The first two types are stronger than the last one because they have more material on either side of the joint.
For example, if you look at your own fingers from below you will see how your fingernails grow over and past your fingertips by about 0.5 cm (0.2 inches). This is what happens when you have a half-blind or full-blind dovetail joint.
The open dovetail has less material on either side of the joint, and this means it is weaker than a half-or full-blind dovetail joint.
3. Backsaw or jigsaw with a fine-toothed blade
To make a clean, fast cut, use a backsaw or jigsaw with a fine-toothed blade.
A backsaw is a type of saw that has a stiff, deep-curved blade set at right angles to the handle. The teeth are designed to cut into wood and other materials with a clean, fast cut.
If you want your cuts to be smooth and precise, it's best to use one with fine-toothed blades. There are many different types of backsaws available on the market today, so make sure you choose wisely before purchasing.
A jigsaw is a type of saw that has a thin, flexible blade set at right angles to the handle. The teeth are designed for cutting curves and dovetails as well as straight lines.
If you're looking for precision while your cuts, then this type of tool may be more appropriate than others on the market today. There are many different types of jigsaws available on the market today, so make sure you choose wisely before purchasing.
4. Strongest and most attractive choices
There are many different types of joints that can be used for drawer construction, but dovetails are one of the strongest and most attractive choices.
This is because dovetails are strong, fitting tightly together with a 45-degree angle on each side. When dovetails are glued and clamped properly, they can withstand a lot of force without coming apart.
The following are some things to consider when choosing this type of joint system.
1) A dovetail joint typically makes the strongest drawer because it has no risk of coming apart from the back like other joints do, such as rabbet or box joints.
2) One disadvantage of this method is that the joinery process takes more time than others so if you want your project done quickly then go with another system.
3) It's important to know how wide your blades are before purchasing them because they will be too thick for small projects or thin pieces of wood.
4) To make a tight-fitting dovetail joint, you need to do some preparation before you do anything else. First, cut the wood to size and then do a test fit by clamping it together with only glue or tape.
5. When making dovetailed drawers you should always start by cutting the sides first
When you cut out the sides, do one at a time and do not cut more than half of the dovetails on each side. Clamp them together without glue or tape to make sure they fit, then remove the clamps and do another set until you have made all of your cuts for that side.
This is also important because if a piece should break it will only affect that part instead of ruining an entire drawer front. Once both pieces are done, take off any loose wood chips with sandpaper before proceeding to cut out the dovetails in order from the bottom up so as to avoid marking up previously finished parts.
Next, mark where you want your pins by using layout lines spaced about two inches apart vertically down both sides or horizontally across the top edge.
After marking where you want your pins by using layout lines spaced about two inches apart vertically down both sides or horizontally across the top edge, do an initial cut just deep enough to create a “kerf”.
Then put glue on one side of the joint and clamp it uptight. Let this sit for at least 24 hours before coming back with a saw to make a final cut which should be done so as not to hit any previously glued surfaces. Remove clamps and do another set until you have made all of your cuts for that side. This is also important because if a piece should break it will only affect that part instead of ruining an entire drawer front.
Final thoughts on making dovetailed drawers
Doing your dovetailed drawers the right way is the best way to do them. It will take as much time and effort that you will put into it but the end result is worth all of it.
In order to do dovetailed drawers correctly, follow the tips above and ensure that you take the time to do it right.
