A joint that forms strong corners in wood panels with interlocking teeth or pins. The shape of the teeth secures the junction without needing epoxy to reinforce the bond.
The dovetail joint is one of the most used carpentry joints in woodworking. In cabinetry, it is the dependable standard joinery used in assembling drawer boxes. The dovetail joint gets its name from the shape of the teeth of the interlocking pieces; the fan-shape of the alternating tooth resembles a “dove’s tail.” The joining makes it easy to put these edges together but very difficult to disassemble, making this joint very stable. Also known as a “swallowtail joint.”