The dovetail joint is one of the hardest if not the hardest woodwork joint to construct and as its name suggests the joint consists of pins that look like dovetails which interlock into slots.

This pin and slot combination gives the joint great strength and aesthetics but it requires good precision and accuracy during the construction of the joint or it may become loose and it can be unattractive.

The pins are glued into the slots and a nail on each pin can be inserted to help keep the dovetail joint strong and square until the glue dries.

These joints are most commonly found on the front of drawers or on boxes such as a wooden tool box because of its great strength and very attractive look if the joint has been well constructed.

There is usually a three pin setup but more or less pins can be used depending on how much strength and aesthetics you want.

How to Make Dovetail Joints