What is Dovetail Joinery?

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Photos of a hand cut, through dovetail joint in maple

Dovetail joints are a very old joint used mostly for joining drawers or solid cabinet carcasses.  A series of tails are cut first (photo1) typically  in a 1:8 ratio for hardwoods, and a 1:6 ratio for softwoods.

Once the tails are cut, the matching pins are marked out and cut (photos 2 & 3)

The pins are finished and fit with some hand chiseling (photo 4)

Then the finished joint can be assembled and planed flush (photo 5)