How to Make a 4-Point Splice With a Wood to Wood Joint

Primary Dovetail

• 1

  Mark for square cuts across the ends of each piece you plan to join with a combination square and sharp pencil. The mark should be at least half an inch from the end of a piece for stability when making the cuts.

• 2

  Place one piece flat in a miter box and align your mark with the vertical notch on the raised edge of the box. Insert the blade of a finish handsaw or a backsaw used for molding in the notch. Hold the piece in place with one hand as you cut your mark with consistent strokes and moderate pressure. Repeat this step and cut the second piece at your mark.

• 3

  Place one of the pieces on a flat surface with a wide side facing up. Measure the width of the piece and divide by six to make four points. In this example, if the piece is 3 inches wide, the result is half an inch.

• 4

  Start from one edge and make half-inch marks on the face at the end of the piece. Use the square to make a reference line across the face 1 inch from the end of the piece.

• 5

  Set the combination square at a 22.5-degree angle. Position the square against the end of the piece and align the edge with the first half-inch mark at the end. Make an angled line that intersects with the reference mark.

• 6

  Turn the square over and align it with the second mark at the end of the piece. Make another angled line that intersects with the reference mark to outline the first V-shaped dovetail. Repeat this step and mark the remaining dovetails.

• 7

  Secure the piece in a bench vise with the end extending 2 inches from the jaws and your marks facing out. Cut the V-shaped dovetails using consistent strokes with the saw, taking care not to cut beyond the reference line. Remove the piece from the vise.

Secondary Dovetail

• 8

  Place the second piece of wood on a flat surface with a wide side facing up. Place the dovetailed piece flat atop the second piece and position the end half an inch from the end of the second piece.

• 9

  Use the dovetailed piece as a template as you mark the square points across the end and the inside edges of each dovetail on the face of the second piece.

• 10

  Secure the second piece in the vise with the end extending 2 inches from the jaws and your marks facing out. Cut each of the pointed dovetails. Cut the square insets at each side of the piece, taking care not to cut into the outer side of a pointed dovetail.

• 11

  Remove the piece from the vice and place it on a flat surface. Cut the remaining square insets at the bases of the inner points with a wood chisel and hammer.

• 12

  Apply wood glue onto all inner surfaces of both dovetails. Place the pieces end to end on a flat surface. Align the points on the secondary dovetail with the V-shaped dovetails on the first piece. Push the pieces together tightly. Attach a woodworking clamp onto the outer edges of the joint and tighten the clamp. Allow the glue to cure before removing the clamp.