Drawer Slips
An historical detail adds refinement to projects both period and modern. The 18th century – a time when human hands were set to work in order to create the objects...
Dovetail Ruler Trick
A throwaway wooden ruler prevents fatal errors when dovetailing. The No. 1 mistake made by first-time dovetailers has nothing to do with sawing or chopping – the obvious choices. Instead,...
How to Use a Router Dovetail Jig
Not everyone’s ready to tackle hand-cut dovetails. Here’s how to get the most from your router and jig. Dovetails are prime joints. Long history, great appearance and cachet. Used in...
Timber Frame Child’s Bed
Practice Traditional Building Joinery on a Smaller Scale Project #2104 • Skill Level: Advanced • Time: 2 Weeks • Cost: $300 During my 14 years living in Europe, I marveled repeatedly at...
A Dovetail Reference Joint
Like many woodworkers, I own a basic half-blind dovetail jig, which I use only occasionally for making utility drawers. During the interim, I tend to forget the setup procedures and...
4 Tips for Dovetailing by Hand
Cutting your own dovetails is a right of passage for many woodworkers. Many out there find it intimidating when they first start though. Here are a few techniques that will...
Tapered Sliding Dovetails
Hand tools are the way to go for this traditional joint. Tapered sliding dovetails are multipurpose joints traditionally used for drawer dividers, holding legs in place on a pedestal table...
How to Cut Dovetails by Hand
The right techniques and tools (plus a few tricks) will give you a good start on mastering this fine traditional joint. Dovetails have long been recognized as the premier joint...
Use Dividers for Quick & Easy Dovetail Layout – No Measuring
Editor’s note: This dovetail method is referenced in the October 2021 issue of Popular Woodworking, so we are republishing it to the home page. The blog below was originally published...
David Barron Magnetic Dovetail Guide Tool Test
Tool: Magnetic Dovetail Guide Shop Now Manufacturer: David Barron Tools MSRP: $54.99 If you’re struggling for cut perfection on your dovetails (or you’re just learning to cut this important [...]
The Anvil Test
Destroying 10 joints taught us surprising lessons about joint design, wood failure and the tenacity of modern glue. Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the December 2005 [...]
Dovetailed Dustpan
Forget plastic or metal pans – a wooden one looks nicer and works better. Some time during the last 25 years of prowling around workshops, museums and antique stores, I...
