I would say it depends on what you are building. I'm in the process of
researching a chest of drawers. In the November 2005 issue of popular
woodworking, Lonnie Bird discusses features of 18th century chests and
states: "It's important to start the layout at the back of the case with
a half tail to hide the rabbet. Otherwise, if you begin with a pin, the
rabbet will create an ugly void". 

In the diagrams there is a half tail at the back and a half pin at the
front.

Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: oldtools-bounces@r...
[mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of Robert A.
Weber
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 11:43 AM
To: Frank Filippone; oldtools@r...
Subject: RE: [OldTools] Pins and Tails

I'll let the more informed among us give more information, but I don't
recall ever seeing a half-tail. There are several articles linked over
at Galoot Central about laying out dovetails...

Rob in Peoria
http://www.galootcentral.com/modules.php?name=3DWeb_Links
As recommended by Popular Woodworking's Christopher Schwarz

Wood shavings on the floor! Wood shavings on the floor!
:-----Original Message-----
:From: oldtools-bounces@r... [mailto:oldtools-
:bounces@r...] On Behalf Of Frank Filippone
:Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 10:40 AM
:To: oldtools@r...
:Subject: [OldTools] Pins and Tails
:
:In a dovetailed construction, what appears as the first joint component
on
:the edge of the board?
:
:A partial pin or a partial Tail?
:
:Why?
:
:Frank Filippone
:red735i@e...
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