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View Full Version : Sizing Slidining Dovetails



Gary Curtis
05-02-2006, 5:36 PM
Does that one-third rule used for tenons apply to sliding dovetails also. You know, the tenon on a rail should be about 1/3 the size of the style.

I want to use 2x6 Doug Fir timbers for the rails on my shop workbenches and dovetail them into 4x4 legs. Is a 1-inch DT bit (14 degrees) ok? There would be 3 horizontals cut into the center legs, and two on each of the side legs.

Gary Curtis
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Maurice Metzger
05-03-2006, 1:58 PM
Gary, you might want to post this in the General Woodworking area, I for one can't advise you on sizing dovetail bits - is that for a router?

- Maurice

Mike Wenzloff
05-03-2006, 3:36 PM
Hi Gary,

In general you want the male portion as large as possible, especially on something structural.

A 14 degree bit even on a 2 x 6 seems like the top of the male portion would be getting thin. I would need to draw it on a 2-by to see.

Also, it would make the male portion a bit short for the amount of racking force a bench will receive.

I think for this reason, many benches had/have long, pinned tenons, or through tenons [also pinned or wedged].

Take care, Mike