Step by Step
Through Dovetails – Fitting the Tails
The dovetail is both a decorative mark of fine woodworking and a strong and long-lasting joint. In a through dovetail, both of the pieces go entirely through one another, leaving the joint visible on the outside. With both the pins and the tails cut out, it’s time to...
Through Dovetails 05 – Cutting the Tails
The dovetail is both a decorative mark of fine woodworking and a strong and long-lasting joint. In a through dovetail, both of the pieces go entirely through one another, leaving the joint visible on the outside. Now that the tails are laid out, it’s time to cut...
Through Dovetails 04 – Tail Layout
The dovetail is both a decorative mark of fine woodworking and a strong and long-lasting joint. In a through dovetail, both of the pieces go entirely through one another, leaving the joint visible on the outside. With the pins cut and paired, it’s time to move...
Through Dovetails 03 – Paring the Pins
The dovetail is both a decorative mark of fine woodworking and a strong and long-lasting joint. In a through dovetail, both of the pieces go entirely through one another, leaving the joint visible on the outside. With the pins cut, the next step is the pare them. This...
Through Dovetails 02 – Cutting the Pins
The dovetail is both a decorative mark of fine woodworking and a strong and long-lasting joint. In a through dovetail, both of the pieces go entirely through one another, leaving the joint visible on the outside. Once the pins have been laid out, you’ll be...
Through Dovetails 01 – Pin Layout
The dovetail is both a decorative mark of fine woodworking and a strong and long-lasting joint. In a through dovetail, both of the pieces go entirely through one another, leaving the joint visible on the outside. Making through dove tails begins with proper pin...
Spring Joints
A spring joint takes advantage of wood's natural flexibility. Use a spring joint when gluing board edges together to allow for the expansion and contraction of wood and to prevent cracking and separating. A spring joint is achieved by planing a curved cut into the...
Mortise and Tenon – Cutting the Tenon
The mortise and tenon is an essential joint in woodworking. It enjoys numerous variations and can be completed using a variety of techniques. The application of the mortise and tenon for frame joinery extends beyond the world of woodworking into house-building,...