Drawer Making: Dovetails and Drawer Locks
Imagine the number of opening and closing cycles a drawer sees in its lifetime. Not only are people constantly pulling and pushing on drawer boxes, in most cases drawers are loaded with heavy stuff…
Class Preview
Imagine the number of opening and closing cycles a drawer sees in its lifetime. Not only are people constantly pulling and pushing on drawer boxes, in most cases drawers are loaded with heavy stuff, especially in your shop. That’s a lot of abuse. If you’re taking the time to make a drawer, take the time to make it right – and take this class to help you create superior drawers for any project.
Getting Started
What’s the big deal with dovetails and drawer locks? Why do they make such great drawer corners? There are a variety of reasons, and we’ll explain those reasons to you. And, we’ll let you know what you need in your shop to cut these joints.
Setting Up and Using a Dovetail Jig
Here are the ins and outs of setting up and using a half-blind dovetail jig. Lubricating the jig, setting depth of cut, positioning the material, handling the router…each of these must be done correctly for good dovetails. No details are overlooked. We even show you where many woodworkers go wrong when making dovetails.
Cutting Drawer Lock Joints
If you’ve got a dado head you have what you need to cut drawer lock joints on the table saw. Blade height and fence position are key to a good quality joint, and we provide you with everything you need for each step of the process. You’ll also learn the key to positioning the groove for the drawer bottom so that it’s hidden behind your dovetail joint.
Drawer Joinery Alternatives
Want more joinery choices? Here they are. We’ll teach you to cut through dovetails on a router-based jig, along with all the required setup tips, and how to make drawer lock joints on the router table. Whether you use a slot-cutting bit or a task-specific drawer lock router bit, you’ll get the instruction you need.
Class Summary
George wraps up this class with a reminder to practice the techniques you learned in the class to be better prepared for any future project that includes drawers. With a little practice, and attention to detail, you’ll be making drawers for all your projects that can withstand use and abuse, and will stand up through the test of time.
Bonus: Instructor Insights
Gain more insights from George about the value of drawer making.
Meet Your Instructor
Learn more about your instructor, George Vondriska.
