| Cutting half-lap dovetails is almost the same as through dovetails-the only differences are in the layout and cutting of the pins. | |
| Prepare your stock-fit the drawer front to be a snug fit in the opening. |
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| Clean up the faces and square the edges. |
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| Set the marking gauge for the thickness of the tails, leaving a portion of material at the front of the piece. Mark this on the end of the pin board. |
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| Using the same gauge setting mark round the tail board. |
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| Measure the thickness of the tail board and mark the back face of the pin board with this. |
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| Set out the tails and saw them out. Remove the waste with a coping saw and clean up to the marked line. |
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| Mark the pins from the tail board using a knife (this is the same as with through dovetails-see the through dovetail section for more details.) Saw the pins on the waste side of the marks as far as you can cut them-do not saw through the face of the piece!! |
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| Using a chisel and mallet chop the waste out between the pins. |
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| Mount the board in the vice to remove the waste-take small cuts to make sure you don't go over the line or break through the front of the piece. |
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| All cleaned up. Make sure the bottom of the sockets are square (or slightly undercut) to the sides. |
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| Offer the pieces up-looks like a nice fit! Just three more corners to go. |
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| Completed drawer. I used through dovetails at the back. |
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