How do I assemble dovetail drawer boxes?

Arrange your tail (sides) and pin (front and back) pieces on a solid work surface. Make sure all pins and tails will line up and will assemble properly. 

It may be necessary to go through the motions of dry assembly before applying any glue.

Lay one tail board down, dado (⅜” groove) facing up. Choose a pin board and apply a small amount of glue into each socket.

Gently insert the sockets of a pin board over the tails of the tail board, aligning the dado. You will have to use some downward force. 

Insert the opposite pin board over the other end of the tail board after applying glue to its sockets.

If you find you need abnormal force to get the dovetails together then ease the edges of the tails with sandpaper or a chisel. Be careful not to sand the outside profile (dovetail) of the tail but only the part that is binding in the socket.

For Plywood drawer boxes, apply glue to the dados of the pin board and the two tail boards. For Hardwood (Maple) drawer boxes apply glue to the tail boards only.

Insert the drawer bottom into the dados.

Apply glue to the sockets of the pin boards and dado of pin board. Insert the final pin board.

Once all joints are tight, check for square. If the diagonal measurement is off more than ⅛” use a clamp or other device to bring it closer to square.

Sand the box to 180 grit, paying special attention to the dovetails. Fill any gaps with glue and allow sanding dust mix in to make a tight look.

Once the glue is dry apply desired finish and install.