In my attempts to graduate from a “really good sawdust-maker” to a low-grade “Fine Woodworker”, I’m thinking of using hand-cut dovetails in a piece for the first time.  Unfortunately, but not unusually, I’m confused.

Ok, so I get how dovetails should be oriented on a drawer – it just seems to make sense that you want the mechanical joint to keep the drawer-front attached when you pull on it.  Same issue for a hanging case – keep the bottom from falling off when it’s hanging on the wall.

My problem is for a case that sits, either on a floor or another piece.  Is it better to have the mechanical strength keeping the sides from blowing out, or keeping the top from blowing off in that random moment when the Dyson vac loses control?

FWW No 216 just adds to my confusion.  Page 42, Steve Brown builds the North Bennett Tool Chest with the dovetails holding the sides on tight.  Same issue, back cover – Trevor Hadden’s case oriented them to keep the top on tight.

Is there a ‘right’ way?  Both of the pieces in the issue above keep the shorter dimension from blowing out – Does the height vs width ratio have something to do with it (keep the case from racking in the longer direction?)?  Or is it just builder’s choice and I’m way over-thinking the whole thing?

Thanks, Mike