Matt Estlea

The Dovetail Box

Want to follow exactly what I'm doing?

Optional plans and material packs are available to those who don’t want to draw their own design and instead replicate my processes and measurements exactly. For more info, read about the online school.

Project Overview

In this quick video, I will brief you on the project ahead so that you know what to expect and can get the most from this course. Many resources are available at your fingertips so don’t miss the opportunity to make the most of them!

Project Overview

You will learn:

Tool List

Unsure you have all the right tools for the project? This handy guide helps you choose not only the tools you need, but also gives my recommendations in order of preference. It also provides various options to suit different budgets.

Tool List

You will learn:

Pre-Machined Material Packs

Want to start this project on the right foot? Purchase pre-machined timber in a variety of materials here. Perfect for those who want to avoid the fuss and get stuck straight into the project!

Pre-Machined Material Packs

You will learn:

#1 Dimensioning Material

In this lesson, we will get everything cut to size and marked out ready for laying out the dovetails. There’s a lot to learn from this seemingly simple task!

#1 Dimensioning Material

You will learn:

#2 How to Layout Dovetails

In this lesson, I show you how to accurately mark out the tails on a dovetail joint for superior accuracy. I also cover what can go wrong and the consequences as a result.

#2 How to Layout Dovetails

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#3 How to Cut the Dovetails

In this lesson, we will get everything cut to size and marked out ready for laying out the dovetails. There’s a lot to learn from this seemingly simple task!

#3 How to Cut the Dovetails

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#4 How to Transfer the Tails

In this lesson, you will learn how to accurate transfer the tails to the pin boards for maximum accuracy and control. Don’t miss this important lesson!

#4 How to Transfer the Tails

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#5 How to Cut the Pins

In this lesson, I cover the step that will make or break your dovetails. Unlike the tails where you had some leeway, these components need to be spot on.

#5 How to Cut the Pins

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#6 How to Adjust a Dovetail Joint

If you’re dovetails don’t quite fit, in this lesson I will share a series of steps that will help you fit the dovetails accurately with maximum control.

#6 How to Adjust a Dovetail Joint

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#7 How to Glue the Dovetailed Box

Theres a lot more that goes into gluing up than first meets the eye. Planning, preparation and patience are all needed at this part of the project.

#7 How to Glue the Dovetailed Box

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#8 How to Cleanup Dovetail joints

Theres a lot more that goes into gluing up than first meets the eye. Planning, preparation and patience are all needed at this part of the project.

#8 How to Cleanup Dovetail joints

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#9 How to Edge Joint the Lid

In this lesson, we begin construction of the lid. You will need to edge joint 3 panels together in order to do this and make a lid that looks good and is also stable.

#9 How to Edge Joint the Lid

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#10 How to Glue the Lid

In this lesson, I will show you how to glue the lid so that it is flush and flat. Care needs to be taken at this stage as it will save you a whole lot of effort later in the project!

#10 How to Glue the Lid

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#11 How to Attach the Base of the Box

In this lesson, I will show you how to attach the base of the box accurately. It’s incredibly easy to blast a screw through the side of your box by doing this wrong!

#11 How to Attach the Base of the Box

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#12 How to Flatten and Size the Lid

In this lesson, I discover that my lid is incredible twisted and in need of some TLC. This is how I go about flattening and fitting it to the box.

#12 How to Flatten and Size the Lid

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#13 How to Cut the Lid Rebates

There are many ways to cut rebates whether its by machine or hand. In this lesson, I show you two methods of creating the rebates incredibly accurately

#13 How to Cut the Lid Rebates

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#14 How to Shape the Finger Pull

While the method of removing the lid is up to you, whether thats shaping a finger pull or making a handle, this is how I went about creating my chosen method.

#14 How to Shape the Finger Pull

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#15 How to Rebate the Plinth

The plinth will hide the plywood base of the box but needs to be rebated in order to be fit. In this video, I show you how to cut the long rebates accurately.

#15 How to Rebate the Plinth

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#16 How to Mitre the Plinth

Once the plinth profile has been cut, you now have to accurately mitre it on the corners. In this lesson, I show you multiple ways of achieving a gap free fit.

#16 How to Mitre the Plinth

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#17 How to Chamfer the Plinth

In this lesson, I show you how to chamfer the corners of the plinth to complete the profile. Again, there are many ways to do this, all of which are detailed in this video.

#17 How to Chamfer the Plinth

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#18 How to Sand the Box

Sanding is a topic that isn’t often taught, yet may be the difference between having a piece that looks crisp, and having a piece that resembles a wooden cloud.

#18 How to Sand the Box

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#19 How to Finish the Box

In this final part of the project, I show you my personal process when it comes to applying finish to the box in order to achieve a clean, even result.

#19 How to Finish the Box

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#20 Project Summary

Now that the box is completed, lets reflect back on all the different processes we carried out and the skills you have picked up along the way.

#20 Project Summary

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