Do you need to mark out your own dovetail joints or perhaps perfect your dovetails this year?
If so, then check out the review below. We tested all of these tools with great success
and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for new equipment.
Dovetails are a very popular way of connecting wood together due to their aesthetically pleasing look.
However, they are not the easiest joints to make if you have never done
it before or want to get into more advanced carpentry techniques/joints.
So if you are looking for an easier alternative that still looks good
but is less consuming then here is our review of the best dovetail markers
What Are Dovetail Markers?
Dovetail markers are tools that are used to mark out dovetail joints before you cut them into your wood.
You can do this by sliding the marker into each side of where you want your dovetail joint
to be and scribing a line simultaneously on both pieces of wood so it looks like they form a ‘V’.
This is also called marking or scribing.
You have most likely seen these being done with pencils in carpentry shops etc.
however, these days there are specialized markers that make the job much easier when attempting this pretty complicated type of joint.
The Best Dovetail Markers for 2021- Our Top 5 Choices
- Housolution Dovetail Marker
- Newkiton Dovetail Marker
- STARVAST 2Pcs Dovetail Marker
- HommyPrefer Wood Dovetail Marker
- Admini Dovetail Marker
1. Housolution Dovetail Marker
This is the best dovetail marker in this review because it combines all of the features that you would want in a top-quality tool.
Firstly, it has the right shape to fit into where you want your dovetails so there are no issues
when using them on your workbench or sliding down inside each side of wood you are working with.
These markers are very solid so they won’t bend or break easily which is always something
worth thinking about when purchasing new equipment especially if you’re looking at setting up a long-term workshop.
Secondly, the product has a high-quality point for marking outlines and is very sharp compared to others so it creates a nice deep line if you compare them side by side with similar products.
To top it off, they are very affordable too and come in packs of 12 so you will have plenty of spares on hand
when cutting into your wood as you go along during the process of making dovetails
which always makes for a more efficient job as there won’t be any need to stop halfway through your tasks because you ran out of markers!
Pros
- Very solid and doesn’t bend or break easily like some similar products.
- Have a very high-quality point for marking dovetails with no issues such as smudging etc.
- Have a nice sharp look about them which means there is less hassle
Cons
- Some people might like more than 12 markers in their pack but you can always order more if you want of course!
2. Newkiton Dovetail Marker
This is another great option for dovetail markers that you should consider if you are looking at getting into
more advanced woodworking techniques like dovetails. It has the same features as Housolution’s offering in terms of shape and design
but really comes down to the finer details
that make these two versions differ from each other.
First off, it doesn’t come with a very high-quality point compared to the Housolution version which means there is more room for error
when marking lines on your workbench or wood pieces before cutting them into place which can be a problem
if you’re an amateur – so best check out the Housolution version right away!
However, they have a nice solid feel about them so they won’t bend in the middle when you fit them
which is a common issue with other dovetail markers that I have reviewed here.
Secondly, these markers are a bit more expensive than Housolution’s ones but they come in packs of 10 instead of 12
which makes it more affordable for people who only need a few of these to complete their work tasks.
I consider this as a positive because if you work with dovetail joints frequently
then there’s no point buying more of something that you don’t actually need!
Pros
- They have a nice solid feel about them
- Lower price per marker compared to the first on our list
Cons
- A lower quality point can lead to problems when marking out areas for dovetail joints
3. STARVAST 2Pcs Dovetail Marker
This is a very affordable option for people who are just beginning their journey with dovetails. It has a nice
steel point which makes marking out areas on wood an easy task to accomplish.
In addition, the product has a unique design that is made from one solid piece of metal
instead of two ends that come apart like other options.
This really helps them stand out because they have a very sturdy feel about them and works well
when resting against your workbench as you create markings – it won’t fall off every 5 minutes!
However, if you compare these markers side-by-side with others then there’s going to be a bit more steel
showing on the surface which means you need to remove more material before cutting into your wood
but if you’re looking for something that has a lower price point then this isn’t going to be a huge issue.
Pros
- A very affordable and budget-friendly option for beginners
- The unique design is one solid piece of metal
Cons
- It’s much more steel than other options
4. HommyPrefer Wood Dovetail Marker
This is a nice budget-friendly option for people who are just beginning their journey with dovetail joints.
You get a pack of twelve markers at a very affordable price point which makes them great if you’re not going to be using these markers
on an ongoing basis and only want something that will ease or assist you in marking out areas for dovetails once or twice.
However, it doesn’t come with a very high-quality steel tip like the first on our list – Housolution Dovetail Markers
which means there is more room for error when marking lines on your workbench or wood pieces
before cutting them into place which can be a problem if you’re an amateur – so best check out the Housolution version right away!
In addition, the plastic handle on these markers is a bit flimsy which can make it difficult to use when resting them against surfaces.
Pros
- A very affordable option that comes with a pack of 12 instead of 10
- It’s made from one solid piece of metal
Cons
- The plastic handle doesn’t feel quite as sturdy compared to other options
5. Admini Dovetail Marker
This is a very comfortable and easy-to-use dovetail marker option that comes with a solid
but smooth grip so you don’t need to worry about it slipping away from your hand as you mark out areas for dovetail joints.
In addition, the product has a nice steel point which marks outlines on wood surfaces really well without any fuss or hassle!
However, one downside of this product is that the plastic handle isn’t attached to
the metal part at the end making it easier for them to break if dropped accidentally.
Another issue is that there wasn’t much difference between the size/girth of each different marker
making marking areas very difficult because they’re all too similar which can be problematic if trying to fit joinery pieces together.
Pros
- You will find these markers easy to use with a nice grip
- the steel point makes marking out areas very easy!
- It’s made from one solid piece of metal
Cons
- The plastic handle isn’t attached to the metal part at the end meaning
- There wasn’t much difference between each marker
Buyer Guide
A dovetail marker is a tool that provides an easy and effortless way to mark out areas for dovetails before you cut them into your wood pieces.
It’s very simple to use because all you need to do is rest the end of it against one side of your board/wood piece,
and then take measurements with the ruler provided in order to determine where you’re going to make cuts.
However, there will be small variations between each marker depending on their length so best check out our reviews above!
And if you want something even more convenient then read up on using a dovetail guide instead.
Faqs
Q- What does the dovetail marker mean?
A- It’s a tool that’s used to mark out areas for dovetails so you can work from there, cutting into your boards or pieces of wood as necessary.
Q- Is a dovetail marker better than using a ruler?
A- In some cases, yes – but it really depends on what you’re looking for and how much time you want to spend making them! If you’re more experienced then we’d recommend getting one of the options we’ve listed above otherwise stick with using a ruler and pencil!
Q- How do I use my homemade dovetail marker?
A- First, rest the end against one side of your board/wood piece and take measurements with the ruler provided. Then mark out your lines with a pencil and you’re good to go!
Q- Is it necessary to have different-sized markers for each board?
A- If you want to make the process easier then yes
because having different sizes for each marker will allow you to work from one single template, making all of your cuts far more accurate.
Q- How are dovetail markers used?
A- All you need to do is rest the end against one side of your board/wood piece,
then take measurements with the ruler provided in order to determine
where you’re going to make cuts. However, there will be small variations
between each marker depending on their length so best check out our reviews above!
Q- Do dovetail markers come with a ruler?
A- No, you will need to get one separately or already have one at home that can be adapted to work with your marker.
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use and reliable dovetail marker option that comes with a solid
But smooth grip so you don’t need to worry about it slipping away from your hand as you mark out
areas for dovetail joints, However, one downside of this product is that the plastic handle isn’t attached to the metal part
In the end, making it easier for them to break if dropped accidentally.
And another issue is that there wasn’t much difference between each different marker
which can be problematic if trying to fit joinery pieces together.
So try and pick specific markers for specific wood pieces so you don’t run into problems! Apart from that
this tool will help you create very accurate dovetail joints for your woodwork pieces and is one of the best options available
if you don’t want to spend a lot of time on making them.
And don’t forget, using a dovetail marker will make marking out areas much easier!
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