CM-Cabinets Library User Guide
Dovetail machining is only available on standard drawers. See Standard Runner Columns - Tables
The selected 'standard drawer' material is used, although the Alternative Bottom material (used to be called 'Pot') can be used for the Bottoms of the Dovetail drawers.
To do this you need to use the checkbox, as shown below, 'Alt Drawer Base' on the Materials-Advanced > Drawer Standard page.
Scroll down the page to view the options for Base : Alternate
Image: Materials-Advanced > Drawer Standard page - Base Alternate Material
Tooling settings are located on the Mach.Dovetail > Dovetail page. The 'Edit Tool' button opens the 'Dovetail # Properties' page.
Explanation of Options on Mach.Dovetail > Dovetail page
The following is an explanation of available options on the Dovetail page.
| Use |
Determines whether Dovetail construction methods are applied by default. Yes or No checkbox- default is No |
| Dovetail Tool |
Three (3) Dovetail tools can be defined. Select the required tool from the drop list. Click 'Edit Tool' button to open the 'Dovetail # Properties' page as shown above right. |
| Side Dovetail Tool |
Size of the tool that will cut the dovetails shape on the drawer sides. The tools size may determine the width of the dovetail shapes if it is larger than the wasted part of the dovetail tool itself. This cut can be combined with the border layer, but the user needs to be sure that the Border tool is small enough to create the required internal corners. |
| Oversize | Allows for an oversize of the cutouts to allow a more comfortable fit. |
| Side Pocket Tool | Size of the pocketing tool, to allow the pocketed area to be sized correctly. |
| Extend Rebate |
Whether the Rebate is taken the full length of the Ends and/or Sides as opposed to stopping at the extent of the Bottom itself. Tooling for Rebates is defined elsewhere. |
| Alternate Bottom Material | Checkbox: Whether to use the Alternate drawer bottom material for the drawer Bottoms. |
When cut, the dovetails themselves will vary in width on different height drawers i.e. they are sized to ensure that the join always starts and ends on a half shape toward the end of the drawer.
Up to six layers are involved to cut the dovetail drawers.
The Border is cut using the existing Border layer.
The following is a sample of drawer using two different Dovetail tools, viewed from the side.
The Front/Back are machined from the inside face with a Dovetail tool.
The tool starts outside of the border of the part and cuts into (and depending on the size of the dovetails also sideways in) the part.
The Sides are machined from the inside face to fit into Front/Back.
The dovetail tongues are reduced in thickness for a neater finish with the rounded cut in the Front/Back being hidden when the parts are put together.
Sample Dovetail Tool Specifications
