Lock Miter Bit vs Dovetail Bit: Which One Should You Buy?

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Lock miter bit vs dovetail bit: the short answer

The lock miter joint suits corners that should look mitered from the outside and carry plenty of glue surface. The dovetail joint suits drawers and boxes where the angled joint should hold by its shape. The sections below explain each joint, then cover the lock miter gear listed in this guide, ranked from the strongest stated specs to the setup aid.

How a lock miter joint works

A lock miter joint uses a 45° profile cut on each board edge so the boards lock together at 90 degrees. The profile gives plenty of glue surface and a self-aligning fit during assembly, which helps the corner close square. The listings in this guide describe the joint for cabinet doors, closet doors, windows, wood drawers and cupboards. Because a lock miter bit takes a big bite from the stock, the Newdeli listings strongly recommend a router table for the cut, and the Freud bit requires a CNC or table-mounted router.

The Freud listing states the bit suits hardwood and softwood, plus plywood and composites. The interlocking profile means the corner aligns itself as the boards come together, rather than relying on the maker to hold the boards square by hand.

How a dovetail joint works

A dovetail joint uses angled tails on one board and matching pins on the mating board. The angled shape locks the joint against pulling apart, so the joint holds by its shape as well as by glue. Through dovetails show on the outside of the work, which suits drawers and boxes where the joint is part of the look. A dovetail joint uses a different bit profile from the lock miter bits covered here, and this guide covers no dovetail gear.

Lock miter gear covered in this guide

The gear below is ranked from the strongest stated specs to the setup aid. The Freud 99-034 leads on stated size and material range, the Newdeli 1/2-inch shank set follows with cutting heights up to 1 inch, the Newdeli 1/4-inch shank set follows with the smaller shank size, and the KOWOOD jig closes the list as a setup aid rather than a bit.

Freud 99-034. The Freud listing states a 2-3/4-inch overall diameter, a 1/2-inch shank, 2 cutters, a 45° angle, a 2-5/8-inch overall length and a 1-5/32-inch carbide height. The maker lists a Perma-SHIELD coating and computer-balanced construction, and states the bit suits hardwood and softwood, plus plywood and composites. Use is limited to CNC or table-mounted routers only, per the listing. The listing names a Freud Limited Tooling Warranty, and item weight is listed as 1 pound.

Newdeli 1/2-inch shank 3-piece set. This set covers 1/2-inch, 3/4-inch and 1-inch cutting heights, with a 1/2-inch shank, 2 flutes and carbide alloy steel. The maker lists a coated surface and a heat-treated blade. The listing strongly recommends a router table, since a lock miter bit takes a big bite from the stock. Item weight is listed as 0.59 kg.

Newdeli 1/4-inch shank 3-piece set. This set covers 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch and 3/4-inch cutting heights with a 1/4-inch shank. The bullets describe YG6 carbide alloy steel with a heat-treated blade, while the spec table lists high carbon steel: the two parts of the listing disagree on material, so treat the bullet description as the leading one and note the mismatch when ordering. Item weight is listed as 0.24 kg, and the set suits handheld routers and table routers per the listing, with a router table strongly recommended.

KOWOOD set-up jigs. This listing is a set-up aid, not a router bit: it helps set a KOWOOD 45° lock miter bit for 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch cutting heights, and fits both 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch shank bits. The maker describes it as precisely machined and user friendly. Item weight is listed as 0.13 kg.

Choosing between the joints

Pick the lock miter joint for casework corners, cabinet doors, closet doors, windows, wood drawers and cupboards where a clean mitered outside and a self-aligning fit matter. Pick the dovetail joint for drawers and boxes where the angled tails and pins should show and carry the load. If the stock height varies, the listed lock miter sets cover 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch, 3/4-inch and 1-inch cutting heights between them, so match the set to the stock. If the router is a handheld model, note that the Freud 99-034 is for CNC or table-mounted routers only, while the Newdeli listings state suitability for handheld routers and table routers.

Setup notes for lock miter bits

Set the bit height before cutting, and use the KOWOOD jig for 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch cutting heights when the setup needs a guide. The listings strongly recommend a router table for the cut, because the bit takes a big bite, and the Freud bit requires a CNC or table-mounted router. Keep both boards supported through the pass, and check the fit on spare stock before cutting the final boards.

Lock miter bit vs dovetail bit: the short version

• Lock miter: 45° interlocking profile, joins boards at 90 degrees, plenty of glue surface, router table strongly recommended.
• Dovetail: angled tails and pins, holds by shape, suits drawers and boxes.
• Gear here: Freud 99-034, Newdeli 1/2-inch shank set, Newdeli 1/4-inch shank set, plus the KOWOOD set-up jig.
• Watch for: the Newdeli 1/4-inch shank listing disagrees on material between its bullets and its spec table.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Should I choose a lock miter joint or a dovetail joint for a drawer?

For drawer joints that should show and carry the load, choose the dovetail joint. Choose the lock miter joint for casework corners and for the cabinet, closet and cupboard uses the listings name, where a clean mitered outside matters.

Can I cut a lock miter joint with a handheld router?

The Newdeli listings state suitability for handheld routers and table routers, with a router table strongly recommended. The Freud 99-034, by contrast, is for CNC or table-mounted routers only, so it does not suit a handheld router.

What cutting heights do the lock miter sets in this guide cover?

Between them, the listed sets cover 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch, 3/4-inch and 1-inch cutting heights. The KOWOOD jig covers 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch bits as a setup aid.

What is the KOWOOD listing in this guide?

It is a set-up aid for 45° lock miter bits, not a router bit. It fits KOWOOD 45° lock miter bits in both 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch shank sizes, with 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch cutting heights.

Does the Freud 99-034 listing state a warranty?

The listing names a Freud Limited Tooling Warranty and gives a customer service contact for details, with no term length stated.

Do lock miter joints need glue?

Glue is part of the joint: the listings describe plenty of glue surfaces and an interlocking profile, so the joint gains strength from both the glue and the locked shape.

Related: the best dovetail bit for drawer boxes, dovetail vs finger joint router bit and best router bit for beginners guides.