Dovetails
Master the most classic joint in fine woodworking: the hand-cut dovetail with a chisel, just as the craftsmen of old always did it.
A joint that speaks for your skill all by itself.
The dovetail is the joint that marks out a true cabinetmaker: no nails, no screws, just precision and good craft. In this course you'll learn to mark out, cut and fit dovetails by hand, replicating the techniques of traditional carpenters. By the end of the session you'll have completed your own joint and understood why this connection has endured for centuries.
How you're going to do it.
From the history of the joint to the final fitting, step by step and with your hands on the wood.
Discover the ancient origins of the dovetail, its importance in traditional cabinetmaking and why it remains the joint most prized by craftspeople.
Learn to select and correctly use the chisels, backsaw and marking gauges needed to mark out and cut with precision.
Mark out the tails and pins on the wood with exactness; here the precision of your line determines the quality of the final fit.
Saw the tails with the backsaw following the marked line, learning the right angle and pressure for a clean cut.
Transfer the tails onto the other piece to mark and cut the pins, ensuring the fit is snug without needing corrections.
Refine the fit chop by chop with the chisel until the two pieces come together firm and gap-free — the most satisfying moment of the whole process.
Join the pieces dry and check the strength and looks of the joint: a connection that needs no nails or screws to last for decades.
Why learn with us.
Pure hand-tool technique
You'll learn to cut dovetails by hand, with no jigs or machinery, mastering the classic method that defines traditional cabinetmakers.
Small groups
Personalised attention lets you correct your cutting angle and chisel work in real time, guaranteeing precise results from the very first attempt.
A skill for life
Once you've mastered the dovetail, every box, drawer or piece of furniture you build carries your signature and shows your level as a craftsperson.
Fresh off the bench.
What you need to know.
Do I need previous experience?
We recommend some basic practice with chisels and saws to get the most out of the session, though the instructors guide every step.
What tools do I need?
The workshop provides all the tools you need; if you have your own well-sharpened chisels, feel free to bring them and work with what you know.
Is it a very difficult technique?
It takes patience and attention to detail, but with our instructors' guidance you'll achieve a clean, precise joint within the session itself.
What do I take home?
You take home the practice and knowledge of one of the most prized joints in fine woodworking, plus the piece you'll have worked on during the class.
If you need any adaptation to take part comfortably, tell us when you book and we'll have it ready.
Book your place
Pick the cohort that fits your week and book. Dates and places update in real time.
Cancellation & date-change policy
If you cancel
- More than 7 days before: 100% refund.
- Between 7 days and 24 h before: 50% refund.
- Less than 24 h before: no refund.
This reflects the time we need to find another student to fill the place.
If Made de Madera cancels
If we have to cancel the course, we refund you 100%. A course may be cancelled if it doesn't reach the minimum of 3 students enrolled.
Date changes
- More than 15 days before: no penalty.
- Within the 15 days before: 50 € penalty.
When you book, we hold your place; a last-minute change makes it harder to fill.
Grab the free guide.
We'll send you a guide with everything you'll learn and how to prepare. No strings attached.
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