Dovetails are largely crafted with hand tools or a router. Some woodworkers make cuts with table saws, but those methods are less common.

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A router is a fantastic way to make dovetails, especially if you’ll be making many of them. Dovetail router bits, when combined with a dovetail jig, can make quick work of this complicated joint.

Well-made dovetails can elevate a simple wooden box into a work of art, and the mysterious swell of their interlocking joints always impresses non-woodworkers. Mastering this joint will set your projects apart from the pack.

Dovetail joints are beautiful, distinctive and strong. Here's a primer on how they work and how to incorporate them into your woodworking projects.

A dovetail joint is a series of overlapping, flared connectors that join two pieces of wood. The connectors are called tails and pins. When viewing the face of the board, the tails resemble a dove’s tail. So do the pins when viewing the end grain.

Far and away the most common use is in cabinetry, especially in drawer construction. Many consumers look for dovetails as a visual shorthand for quality construction. Dovetails are also show up in furniture construction and sometimes in carpentry.

The gaps between tails are called pin sockets, with the gaps between pins known as tail sockets. Pins and tails interlock perfectly; properly made dovetails slide together and apart in one direction. The multiple points of contact provide plenty of space for glue to adhere.

Dovetail joints may be the single most beautiful type of wood joinery. Known for interlocking sections that start narrow and fan out, dovetail joints are elegant and dramatic.

A dovetail saw allows for straight cuts along the dovetail layout lines. Remove the bottom of the materials with a coping saw or chisel. A tenon saw, slightly larger than a dovetail saw, can also be used.

You don’t technically need dovetail markers to lay out your cuts. But the level of precision involved makes it a good idea, especially for beginners.