A half blind dovetail is a type of woodworking joint where only half the dovetail joint is visible.

It is most commonly used when joining drawer fronts to drawer sides and means the dovetail can only be seen on the side panels and not the drawer fronts.

This joint still gives all the strength that a regular dovetail has to offer, but without the decorative detail on all sides.


What is a dovetail joint?

A dovetail joint is a way of connecting two pieces of timber together through a series of fan shaped pins that interlock like puzzle pieces. It is a popular choice in furniture making due to its strength and resistance to being pulled apart. It is also highly decorative with the dovetail pins visible on all sides.

There are a number of variations on the joint including a through dovetail, half lap dovetail and half blind dovetail.


How to cut a half blind dovetail

Join Sean Evelegh in our Woodworking Wisdom demonstration, as he guides you through the steps required for cutting this particular joint by hand.


Other woodworking joints

Read our other articles to learn how to make a range of furniture and cabinet joints and perfect your joinery skills. Or watch our video tutorials on our YouTube channel.