Dovetail Drawers: What, How, and Why?
What are dovetail drawers, and why do people prefer them so highly over standard drawers? The short answer: Durability. When you make a decision to go with dovetail drawers, you are essentially making a statement that you value quality and longevity. But there is surprisingly more to dovetail drawers than just a simple joint design. We’ll show you the ins and outs of dovetail drawers in this article. We’ll also highlight the benefits of dovetail drawers vs standard joint drawers.
To begin to think about the benefits of dovetail drawers, we need to think about what we really want our drawers to accomplish. And, of course, that answer is simple: We need them to hold our stuff! Whether in the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom, or even out in the shop or garage, they’ve got to hold up. We’re throwing pots and pans into our drawers daily. Maybe we’re loading one up with plumbing tools near the sink, just in case. Or what about that big sliding drawer that so conveniently hides away the few extra pairs of boots and shoes? The fact is, our drawers do a lot of work for us. And cheaply assembled drawers will break down. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when.
A relatively weak rabbet joint, reinforced with staples and likely glue, is nowhere nearly as strong as a dovetail joint.
The second you notice a staple, nail, or screw holding your drawer box together, you should immediately consider replacing it with a dovetailed drawer. Now, maybe you don’t see any of those fasteners, and instead it seems that glue is holding those low-quality panels together instead. This is actually an even weaker joint! The strongest bond in drawer boxes like this is the one between the bottom panel and the four sides–and that’s only because of gravity. The second the glue on that panel begins to weaken, which it will with use, then the sides will begin to go with it. Basically, no cabinet drawer that overly depends on glue or staples deserves consideration as any kind of long-term option.
So: What makes dovetail drawers so much better? We’ll show you.
What Are Dovetail Drawers?
Chances are good that you’ve seen a dovetail drawer without even knowing you were looking at one! Historians say they’ve been around basically forever as an integral construction technique.
A sign of quality and solid construction, dovetail drawers have an interlocking design that creates a sturdy lock. This design, which includes “pins” and “tails” that fit tightly and precisely together, is a sign of solid craftsmanship. How dovetail drawers work: the tight, precise fit provides a high level of pressure (aka tensile strength). This pressure, especially in wood drawers, makes the drawer incredibly sturdy. Dovetail joints have such higher demand that it’s not uncommon for the interlocking pattern to remain visible, as proof of craftsmanship. This is a plain dovetail, though there are other methods too. Those methods include various means of hiding the dovetail.
The Verdict on Dovetail Drawers
You’ve probably figured it out by now. If you want high-quality drawers that will last you a long time, dovetail joints are the way to go. This style will work with almost any kind of wood, but typically, birch is the least expensive wood option. Keep in mind that once you select your dovetail drawers, you probably will be using them forever! A quality drawer should stand up to anything you can throw at it. They truly stand the test of time.