How to Build Drawers With Dovetail Joints

Measure the drawer space with a tape measure to determine the dimensions of your drawer. Subtract an inch from the width and height of the drawer opening to size the drawer.

Cut the plywood sheets using a table saw to make the side panels for the drawer. Use the adjusted measurement for the height minus 1/2 inch for the height of the panels, and make the length of the panels equal to the depth of the drawer opening minus 2 inches.

Cut the front and rear panels of the drawer from 3/4-inch plywood. Use the adjusted measurement for the width of the drawer as the length of the front and rear panels. Make the height of the panels the same as the height of the side panels.

Set the ends of the pieces together at 90-degree angles to create a square. Place the rear piece against the right side piece with the ends flush. Mark the width of the rear piece onto the side piece with a pencil. This should leave a line across the side piece 3/4-inch down from the end that will join the rear piece. Repeat the process on the rear piece using the side piece to leave a line 1/2-inch down from the side piece ends. These will be the bases of the dovetail cuts.

Mark angled lines extending from the base line on the side piece up 3/4 inches to the end of the side piece. Place the angles so that they flare out as the line moves from the end of the piece to the base, leaving about 1/2 inch in flare at the base of each angle.

Clamp the side piece of wood into a vise. Cut the angles out of the wood using a dovetailing saw. Cut through the 1/2-inch bases with a mallet and wood chisel. This will give you the tails of your dovetail joint.

Clamp the rear piece of wood into the vise. Place the side piece over the edge of the rear piece where you want to create the joint with the end of the rear piece flush to the end of the side piece. Mark the shape of the tails onto the rear piece with the pencil then remove the side piece. Place lines running through the tail piece location on the top of the rear so you’ll know which pieces you wish to keep as your pins for the dovetail joint.

Cut straight down the marked lines in the rear piece of wood with the dovetailing saw until you reach the marked base. Remove the wood at the base of the cuts between the unmarked sections with a coping saw, keeping the marked pieces of the piece intact. Make your cut along the marked base line. Clear any remaining material at the bottom of the pins with the chisel.

Repeat the dovetailing process for the remaining pieces of the drawer. Make the front and rear drawer panel pin pieces on both ends and the side panel tail pieces.

Apply glue to the spaces between the pins, and then place the adjoining tail piece over the end of the board. Tap the angled cuts gently down over the pins with a mallet until the two pieces lie flush together with a 90-degree corner.

Take the outside measurements of the joined drawer frame and cut a piece of 1/4-inch plywood board to match the measurements. Place the plywood over the frame and attach it to the frame body using wood glue to make the drawer bottom.

Cut the front panel of your drawer from 3/4-inch thick wood stock of your choosing to match the piece of furniture that you’re placing the drawer into. Make the size of this front panel 1-1/2 inches larger than the front side of your drawer. Secure the panel to the drawer front using two 1-1/4-inch wood screws placed through the center of the front side of the drawer and into the center of the front panel about 2 inches from each front drawer side. This will be the decorative front of your drawer.

Sand all cut edges smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. Mount the drawer using whatever mounting system you prefer, or one that’s already present in the piece of furniture.