Complete this online form with details of your enquiry and one of our advisors will call you back.
Dovetailers are specialist woodworking machines designed to produce precise, strong and visually appealing dovetail joints. Widely used in furniture making, cabinetry and high-quality joinery, dovetail joints are valued for their strength, durability and traditional craftsmanship.
For woodworking businesses producing drawers, carcasses and fine furniture, investing in a dovetail machine can significantly improve consistency, speed and build quality. However, professional dovetailers — particularly automated or multi-spindle machines — represent a specialist capital investment that needs to be structured carefully to protect cash flow.
Gable Business Finance is the UK’s leading independent woodworking machinery finance specialist, supporting furniture makers, joinery workshops and manufacturers with tailored finance solutions for new and used dovetail machines that reflect real production needs.
Dovetail joints are widely regarded as one of the strongest and most attractive joints in woodworking. While traditionally cut by hand, modern dovetail machines allow businesses to achieve consistent, high-quality joints at scale.
Dovetailers are commonly used for:
Drawer box construction
Cabinet carcasses
Fine furniture manufacturing
High-end joinery components
Repeat production requiring precision
For many businesses, a dovetail machine improves both efficiency and perceived product quality.
Different woodworking businesses require different dovetailer configurations depending on volume, material type and production workflow. Below are the most common types, with real UK finance examples.
Manual and semi-automatic dovetailers are often used by smaller workshops and bespoke furniture makers where flexibility and craftsmanship are priorities.
They are well suited to:
Bespoke furniture workshops
Small joinery businesses
Low to medium production volumes
UK Case Study – Bespoke Furniture Maker (Dorset)
A bespoke furniture maker producing handcrafted drawers wanted to improve consistency without losing craftsmanship. Gable Business Finance arranged Hire Purchase for a semi-automatic dovetailer, spreading the cost over three years.
This allowed the business to improve efficiency while retaining ownership of the machine at the end of the agreement.
Production dovetailers are designed for higher output, delivering fast, repeatable joints with minimal setup time.
They are commonly used by:
Cabinet manufacturers
Furniture producers
Joinery workshops producing repeat components
UK Case Study – Cabinet Manufacturer (West Midlands)
A cabinet manufacturer producing fitted furniture required a production dovetailer to improve output and reduce assembly time. Gable Business Finance structured a Finance Lease, allowing the business to access a higher-capacity machine without a large upfront investment.
The predictable monthly payments supported stable cash flow during a period of growth.
Automated dovetail systems incorporate CNC positioning, multiple spindles and digital controls, making them ideal for high-volume manufacturing.
They are typically used by:
Furniture factories
Commercial joinery manufacturers
Production lines focused on efficiency
UK Case Study – Furniture Manufacturer (Yorkshire)
A furniture manufacturer supplying national retailers invested in an automated dovetail system to improve consistency and throughput. Gable Business Finance arranged Hire Purchase with fixed repayments, enabling long-term investment in a quality-critical production asset.
The system reduced labour time and improved joint accuracy across large batches.
Many established woodworking businesses already own dovetailers outright but need to upgrade to faster or more versatile systems.
UK Case Study – Established Joinery Firm (Home Counties)
An established joinery firm owned an older dovetail machine that was limiting production speed. Gable Business Finance arranged asset refinance against existing machinery, releasing capital to fund a modern production dovetailer.
This allowed the business to modernise equipment without increasing reliance on bank borrowing.
In some cases, dovetailer purchases are driven by urgent project requirements.
UK Case Study – Commercial Furniture Supplier (London)
A commercial furniture supplier secured a contract requiring large volumes of drawer units within tight deadlines. Gable Business Finance arranged an unsecured business loan, enabling immediate purchase and installation of a dovetail machine.
Repayments were structured around contract income, supporting smooth project delivery.
Financing a dovetailer allows woodworking businesses to:
Spread the cost of specialist joinery machinery
Preserve cash flow for materials and labour
Invest in higher-quality joints and finishes
Align repayments with production output
Gable Business Finance structures funding to match how woodworking businesses actually operate.
Ideal for businesses seeking ownership of a long-term workshop asset, with potential VAT recovery and tax efficiencies.
Provides flexibility and lower initial outlay, suitable for growing manufacturers planning future upgrades.
Unlocks capital tied up in existing machinery to fund upgrades or expansion.
Useful for urgent investments, deposits or time-critical production needs.
Gable Business Finance arranges finance for new and used dovetail machines, including equipment from manufacturers such as Omec, Vitap, SCM Group brands, Casadei Busellato and other specialist suppliers.
Used dovetailer finance is particularly attractive where proven machines offer excellent reliability and long service life.
Woodworking businesses across the UK choose Gable Business Finance because we offer:
Specialist knowledge of woodworking and joinery machinery
Experience financing new and used equipment
Whole-of-market lender access
Practical understanding of furniture and joinery production
We don’t just arrange finance — we help woodworking businesses invest with confidence.
A dovetail machine is a valuable investment for improving joint quality, consistency and production efficiency. The right finance solution allows your business to upgrade capability without restricting cash flow.
Speak to Gable Business Finance today to discuss tailored finance solutions for dovetailers and other woodworking machinery.