Machine Cut Through Dovetails

[BobSmalser]

The lads I

[BobSmalser]

I grooved the stock as a first step to provide a myself a strong visual reference for joint layout and to insure I don

[BobSmalser]

Laying out the tails is simply a matter of indexing each corner together and scribing the inside edge of the pin sockets onto the drawer sides to mark the tails. Again, a pencil can be used, although an awl will do a cleaner job and might make accurate sawing of the tails easier for you than the sloppier pencil. Again, the grooves are very useful to insure I don

[BobSmalser]

I install the drawer bottom. Usually, the bottom is held in by one slotted screw through the bottom of the drawer back that allows for seasonal expansion, but as my drawer back is only 3/8

[Frank Hagan]

What a great tutorial ... you made it look easier to cut the dovetails on the table saw than the expensive jigs and special bits we all buy for our routers. This one's a keeper, once again, and something I'll have to try on my next project (a daybed for our office).

[BobSmalser]

Q&A and Feedback

:

For the drawer bottoms-what kind of cedar are you using? Spanish cedar, aromatic cedar, western red cedar? It also appears to be quartersawn (which makes sense). Can I just use some left over fencing if I put it in my kiln first?

Any cedar or other scraps I happen to have on hand. I also alternate cedar and other woods if I don