Q:

I am trying to create a new drawer for an old dresser, and I’m concerned about cutting the half-blind dovetails in the lipped drawer front. When I make through-dovetails, I always cut the tails first. Is there any reason to change for these half-blinds? (The drawer front is 3/4 in. thick with a 1/2-in. by 1/2-in. rabbet around the inside edges. It will attach to 1/2-in. sides.)

Thomas Delia, Mt. Pleasant, MI

A:

You can stay with your cutting order: tails first, then pins. But both cuts should come after you mill the rabbet around the inside of the drawer front. Measure the depth of the rabbet (it might turn out to be 15/32 in. instead of 1/2 in.) and cut the tails on the front ends of the drawer sides; their length should be equal to the rabbet depth.

Once the tails are cut, use them to mark out the pins with a long, sharp pencil or knife on the inside face of the drawer-front side rabbets. Chisel out the pins, then fit and glue.

Drawing: Kelly J. Dunton

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Starrett 4" Double Square

Head is easy to remove, replace, and lock down; narrowest blade, at 5⁄8 in., made it easier to fit into tight places; hard to read under bright lights.

Buy at Woodcraft Buy at Amazon

Pfiel Chip Carving Knife

Great to use as a marking knife for laying out joinery and easy to sharpen.

Buy at Amazon

Festool DF 500 Q-Set Domino Joiner

This joinery machine revolutionized woodworking for so many. There is no easier way to get mortise and tenon joints—but it comes at a cost.

Buy at Amazon