DOVETAIL VS. FINGER-JOINT DRAWER BOXES: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Drawer boxes don't get nearly as much attention as cabinet doors and countertops, but they're one of the parts of your cabinetry you'll use every day.

Two terms you may hear when comparing drawer construction are dovetail joints and finger joints.

Both are methods of joining the sides of a drawer box together. The biggest difference is the shape of the joint and how the pieces lock together.

WHAT IS A DOVETAIL JOINT?

A dovetail joint uses a series of interlocking, angled pins and tails.

The shape resembles a dove's tail, which is where the name comes from.

Once the two pieces are joined, the angled shape helps resist the drawer sides from pulling apart.

Dovetail construction has been used in furniture and cabinetry for generations and has become one of the most recognizable signs of traditional drawer-box craftsmanship.

When you open a dovetail drawer, the joint itself is usually visible at the corners.

WHAT IS A FINGER JOINT?

A finger joint uses a series of straight, interlocking rectangular fingers.

Instead of the angled shape of a dovetail, the pieces fit together almost like two sets of fingers being interlocked.

The joint creates a large amount of surface area for adhesive and can produce a strong, accurate connection when properly machined and assembled.

Modern CNC and woodworking equipment can produce finger joints very consistently.

IS DOVETAIL STRONGER?

This is where the answer isn't quite as simple as the sales brochure sometimes makes it sound.

Dovetail joints have a mechanical advantage because their angled shape naturally resists being pulled apart.

But the durability of any drawer box depends on more than the shape of the corner joint.

The material used for the drawer box, the accuracy of the machining, the adhesive, the drawer bottom, the hardware, and the quality of assembly all matter.

A poorly made dovetail drawer isn't automatically better than a properly manufactured finger-jointed drawer.

WHY DO PEOPLE LIKE DOVETAIL DRAWERS?

Part of the appeal is craftsmanship.

The joint is immediately recognizable when the drawer is opened, and many people associate dovetail construction with quality furniture and traditional cabinetmaking.

For exposed wood drawer boxes, it can also become a visual detail rather than something that needs to be hidden.

WHY CHOOSE A FINGER JOINT?

Finger joints can be precisely machined, provide plenty of glue surface, and create a clean, strong connection.

They also work very well with modern production methods where repeatability and accurate fit are important.

For many cabinet applications, a properly manufactured finger-jointed drawer box can provide excellent everyday performance.

THE JOINT IS ONLY PART OF THE DRAWER

When comparing drawer boxes, don't judge the entire drawer by one corner.

Look at the complete construction.

Consider the drawer-box material and thickness, how the bottom is installed, the quality of the machining and assembly, and the drawer-slide hardware supporting it.

A quality drawer box is a system.

The corner joint is important, but it's only one part of that system.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Dovetail and finger joints are two different ways of joining the corners of a drawer box.

Dovetails use angled, interlocking pins and tails and provide a traditional furniture-style appearance with excellent resistance to pulling apart.

Finger joints use straight, interlocking fingers and provide a strong connection with plenty of surface area for adhesive.

Both can produce quality drawer boxes when they're manufactured correctly.

Rather than choosing a drawer based only on the name of the joint, look at the quality of the entire drawer-box construction.

That's ultimately what determines how the drawer will perform every day.