Cut Dovetail Sockets with a Shop-Made Table Saw Dovetail Jig

Learn a new method of cutting dovetail sockets that utilizes a shop-made table saw jig. Everyone loves the look of dovetails, and they deliver unquestionable strength and durability as a woodworking joint. The approach described by George in this video is a simple, flexible means of producing high-quality dovetails using a table saw dovetail jig that you can make in your own shop using scrap materials.

Jig Overview
The table saw dovetail jig used in this video is designed with a tall fence to hold the workpiece securely at 90 degrees to the saw’s table surface, and provides backing to reduce chip-out as the workpiece passes through the spinning dado blade. The pin angle is controlled by adjusting the saw’s miter gauge, which provides the flexibility to create different angles for different types of wood (generally a larger angle is recommended for softer woods such as pine).

Dovetail Layout
The jig provides the flexibility to configure the pin layout however you’d like: you are not constrained to a pre-defined pattern as with many commercial dovetail jigs. Simply design the pin pattern as you would like it, using consistent or variable spacing, and consistent or different-sized pins.

Cutting Pin Sockets
First, the table saw dovetail jig is set to the desired angle using the saw’s miter gauge. Then, witness marks on the workpiece are used to align the workpiece to the jig, and finally, the workpiece is carefully pushed through the cut.