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This introduction to hand-cut dovetails teaches practical skills used in traditional furniture joinery. Hand-cut dovetails are a classic mark of craftsmanship, often used in drawers, cabinet carcasses, trays, and boxes. The core techniques are approachable with clear instruction, careful layout, and steady practice.
In these hands-on classes, students learn how to lay out, saw, and refine dovetail joints with confidence. The focus is on building a repeatable process so students can continue improving their accuracy, speed, and control after the class. By the end of the class, students will have a stronger understanding of how dovetail joints are planned, cut, and refined, along with practical techniques they can apply to future box and cabinetmaking projects. This is an intermediate-level course within our Core Skills Courses, and the second level following Joinery Level 1: Lap Joints.
You will learn:
Measure and mark accurately the difference angles for dovetails
Cut single and multiple through dovetails
Tails first or pin first terminology and approach
Sawing to a straight line
Choose and use specialist dovetail tools effectively
Chisel work for removing waste and refining joint surfaces
Practice for clean layout, accurate sawing, and controlled fitting
Who it’s for: This Core Skills Course is the next level following Joinery Level 1: Lap Joints. Students should be familiar with the content of the Lap Joints course prior to registering for this course.
Duration: 11.5hrs
Price: $350
Schedule Options: We offer this course at a variety of dates & times.
Tuesday - Friday, 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Thursday - Friday, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Saturday - Sunday, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
*Please note: these formats cannot be mixed.
Materials: ALL materials and tools are provided.
Related skills for follow-up courses: Round Stool, Handtool Intro, Kumiko
This introduction to hand-cut dovetails teaches practical skills used in traditional furniture joinery. Hand-cut dovetails are a classic mark of craftsmanship, often used in drawers, cabinet carcasses, trays, and boxes. The core techniques are approachable with clear instruction, careful layout, and steady practice.
In these hands-on classes, students learn how to lay out, saw, and refine dovetail joints with confidence. The focus is on building a repeatable process so students can continue improving their accuracy, speed, and control after the class. By the end of the class, students will have a stronger understanding of how dovetail joints are planned, cut, and refined, along with practical techniques they can apply to future box and cabinetmaking projects. This is an intermediate-level course within our Core Skills Courses, and the second level following Joinery Level 1: Lap Joints.
You will learn:
Measure and mark accurately the difference angles for dovetails
Cut single and multiple through dovetails
Tails first or pin first terminology and approach
Sawing to a straight line
Choose and use specialist dovetail tools effectively
Chisel work for removing waste and refining joint surfaces
Practice for clean layout, accurate sawing, and controlled fitting
Who it’s for: This Core Skills Course is the next level following Joinery Level 1: Lap Joints. Students should be familiar with the content of the Lap Joints course prior to registering for this course.
Duration: 11.5hrs
Price: $350
Schedule Options: We offer this course at a variety of dates & times.
Tuesday - Friday, 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Thursday - Friday, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Saturday - Sunday, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
*Please note: these formats cannot be mixed.
Materials: ALL materials and tools are provided.
Related skills for follow-up courses: Round Stool, Handtool Intro, Kumiko
