From Boxes to Cases: Real‑World Benefits of Collinear Marking & How to Use It

TL;DR: The calibrated collinear marking system isn’t just a novelty. It brings meaningful advantages in speed, precision, and repeatability. Here’s when it matters, how to apply it, and a shop checklist for success.

Why this method matters in practice

• Speed: Because you mark both boards at once, you eliminate the separate transfer step. Myko’s timing shows huge gains. tailspintools.com

• Precision: When layout marks are perfectly aligned, cut lines start in the right place. Fine Woodworking confirms that mis‑transfers are the source of many fit issues. FineWoodworking+1

• Repeatability: For production or multi‑drawer jobs, you can standardise layout and reduce variation between corners.

Projects where it really shines

• Drawer boxes: Multiple corners mean transfer steps multiply. The TailSpin system reduces that overhead.

• Case goods: Long boards, large parts, awkward positions. When the layout is hard to hold steady, collinear marking simplifies things (Myko wrote about long‑board dovetailing in his blog). tailspintools.com

• Hand‑cut joinery where precision matters: Fine furniture, museum work, high‑end cabinetry. When fit and finish matter as much as speed.

• Workshops with multiple layout setups: Standardising layout tools and methods reduces variability across the team.

Tips for implementation in your shop

• Use a .7 mm mechanical pencil (TailSpin recommends this size for their tool calibration). tailspintools.com+1

• Clamp or orient your two boards in the way they will be joined (outside faces facing) so the layout stack is stable. tailspintools.com+1

• Decide which board carries pins and which tails ahead of time — that decision may depend on how you want the aesthetic of the joint to show. tailspintools.com

• Carry out the layout while the two boards are together. Then separate them and cut.

• After cutting, check that the marks correspond and that you’ve maintained registration — the fit should follow the marking.

• Remember: the tool is a marking tool, not a cutting aid. Myko emphasises this: the tool will mark accurately, but your saw and chisels still determine the final fit. tailspintools.com

What to watch out for

• If one of the boards is twisted, warped or poorly prepared, the registration will suffer. Flat, square, and stable faces are foundational.

• If you’re used to traditional “pins first / tails first” workflows, this method may feel different — but it can be worth the shift.

• The cutting techniques we use after layout still matter. Perfect marking won’t rescue a sloppy saw cut.

Conclusion

If you want faster, cleaner, more reliable dovetail layout, give the calibrated collinear marking approach a real look. Check the demo videos, test a small box or drawer, compare your traditional layout time vs the TailSpin method, and you might find the difference is dramatic.
Ready to take the next step? Visit TailSpin Tools’ product page and look at the collinear dovetail marker sets and accessories. Try it out in one project and see the difference for yourself.