SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/wood-dovetail-pins-tails
The interlocking angled parts of a dovetail joint are called what?
Pins and tails.
- Tongues and grooves
- Pins and tails ✔
- Mortises and tenons
Why: Dovetails lock together with angled tails on one board and pins on the other. Rockler calls the joint a classic choice for drawer box corners because its interlocking design resists pulling apart.
Huh, didn't know that: Woodcraft Magazine suggests leaving at least 1/4 inch at the narrowest part of a half pin for strength.
How did the elm tree know the fig tree wasn't looking for anything serious? It asked for no twigs attached.
Like this card?
References
Answer: Pins and tails. Dovetails lock together with angled tails on one board and pins on the other. Rockler calls the joint a classic choice for drawer box corners because its interlocking design resists pulling apart.
- Builder Basics: Cabinet Drawer Making (Rockler) www.rockler.com/learn/builder-basics-drawer-making-details
The dovetail joint is a classic choice for joining the corners of a cabinet drawer box
Checked 2026-10-10. - Builder Basics: Cabinet Drawer Making (Rockler) www.rockler.com/learn/builder-basics-drawer-making-details
with their distinctive angled "tails" and "pins"
Checked 2026-10-10. - Expert Answers: Dovetail Anatomy 101 (Woodcraft) www.woodcraft.com/blogs/magazine/dovetail-anatomy-101
leave at least 1/4 of width at the narrowest part of a half pin for joint strength
Checked 2026-10-10.
Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.
More stuff everyone should know
That's stuff everyone should know.