Everything You Need to Know About Dovetail Joints

A dovetail joint is a common technique used in woodworking to join two pieces of wood. The two pieces of wood are joined at a 90-degree angle. The two parts of the joint are called ‘tails,’ which is the wedge-shaped piece, and the ‘pin,’ which are grooves cut out to fit the tails. When the pieces fit together, it is tight, durable, and solid, making it ideal for kitchen drawers, where stability is a must. Fabuwood uses dovetail construction in the drawers of our Allure and Value cabinets, as well as in our Allure cabinet boxes. This design ensures durability and high functionality.

This article will delve into the different types of dovetail joints and why they are beneficial in kitchen drawer construction.

What Makes Dovetail Joints So Strong?

Dovetail joints prove that nails, screws, and fasteners are not necessary to make an extremely durable kitchen drawer. The interlocking tails and pins make it almost impossible for the joint to pull apart and can withstand heavy use. When glue is added, dovetail joints are virtually indestructible.

Types of Dovetail Joints

Through Dovetail

This is the most common dovetail joint. The end grain of both pieces of wood is visible from the outside. The joint is sometimes covered in a veneer but most usually left exposed.

Half Blind Dovetail

The tails are hidden in the drawer's side panel and are not visible from the front, giving it a cleaner, more polished appearance. Fabuwood’s drawer boxes are crafted with half blind dovetail.

Sliding Dovetail

This type of joint is a single tail sliding into a groove along the adjoining board. While not the strongest of dovetails, they are commonly used in curved drawer fronts or angled surfaces. Fabuwood uses a sliding dovetail for Allure cabinet boxes.

Secret Mitered Dovetail

This joint is completely hidden from view, creating a seamless appearance on the outside.

Why Choose Dovetail Joints for Cabinet Drawers?

• Durability- even with daily use, the interlocking nature of the dovetail joint ensures the drawer holds up to daily wear and tear.
• Aesthetics- the exposed dovetail design is usually left as is as a mark of craftsmanship and durability. This ensures customers are getting the very best.
• Longevity- if you want your kitchen cabinets to last for decades, dovetail joints are the way to go. When you invest in dovetail construction and Fabuwood’s Q12 standards of quality, you choose a build that will last a long time.

Drawer Components and Why They are Important

Dovetail joints are typically used in the drawer box attached to the drawer front. The drawer slides allow for smooth opening and closing. High-quality dovetail drawers use under-mount slides with soft-close features for smooth and quiet opening and closing. All Fabuwood cabinetry uses BLUM soft-close hinges and TANDEM smooth gliding runners for a seamless experience every time you open and close your cabinetry.

Materials Used in Dovetail Drawers

The type of wood a drawer is made of is just as important as how it is constructed. Cheaper materials like particle board will warp and not hold up over time. Like in all of Fabuwood’s cabinetry, hardwoods are highly durable and withstand wear and tear.

Invest in Quality

Whether creating your kitchen from scratch or replacing your cabinets, dovetail construction is the best way to invest in high-quality construction that will last for years. Dovetail joints offer unmatched strength and quality and are the sign of a high-quality cabinet. Reach out to your local dealer to see and feel the difference of  Fabuwood construction and how dovetail drawers will enhance your kitchen design.