1101 Dovetailer
The Mereen-Johnson 1101 is a single spindle dovetailer that cuts half-blind dovetails, box joints, and drawer joints on solid-wood drawer boxes. As a flexible half blind dovetailer and box joint machine in one, this drawer joint dovetailer changes pitch, size, and pattern in seconds from a touch-screen console — no special tooling and no CNC programming knowledge required. The 1101 dovetailer brings Mereen-Johnson precision and low cost of ownership to lower-volume and custom drawer production.
Specifications
| Capacity | Up to 13.5″ high drawer (4-zone use), 28″ high drawer (dual-zone use). 3/8″ to 3/4″ material thickness. 1-3/4″ to 28″ drawer height. 6″ minimum drawer width. 7″ minimum drawer depth. |
| Spindle | 3 HP high-speed spindle motor. Collet-type tool change system. |
| Carriages | AC brushless servo motors. Precision rack & roller pinion style drive. |
| Clamps | Manual pneumatic actuation. |
| Interface | Touchscreen operator interface. |
How the 1101 Works
The 1101 cuts drawer joints — half-blind dovetails or box joints — with a single high-speed spindle under CNC servo control:
- Load the parts. Clamp drawer sides, fronts, or backs with manual pneumatic actuation — and load multiple parts while the spindle keeps running, so the machine isn’t idle.
- Cut the joint. A 3 HP high-speed spindle, variable to 20,000 RPM with a collet tool change, cuts half-blind dovetails or box joints — working through zones to cover the full drawer height (up to 13.5″ in 4-zone use, 28″ in dual-zone). An optional scoring pass further reduces tearout.
- Set the pattern. Change the pitch, size, and pattern of the dovetail — and adjust tenon/mortise fit or part thickness — in seconds from the touch-screen console. Cutter compensation accommodates resharpened bits.
- Run efficiently. Programmable cutting speeds with high-speed non-cutting moves between zones keep the cycle quick.
As a single spindle dovetailer, the 1101 is the flexible, lower-cost way to cut half-blind dovetails and box joints — the same joints the 1105-H cuts at five-spindle production speed.
Applications
The 1101 cuts the joints that build a drawer box:
- Half-blind dovetails — the classic drawer joint, visible on the side but not through the front.
- Box joints — square finger joints for boxes and drawers.
- Drawer joints — flexible drawer-box joinery in solid wood.
- Custom & short runs — change pattern and fit from the console for made-to-order drawers.
- Collet tool flexibility — run different bits and cutters for varied joint styles.
As a box joint machine and half blind dovetailer in one, the 1101 handles the joinery step ahead of drawer box assembly.
Industries Served
The 1101 supports drawer-box production across:
- Cabinetry — cabinet drawer boxes.
- Furniture — furniture drawers and case goods.
- Closet & Storage — drawer boxes for closet and storage systems.
- Custom Millwork — custom drawer and box joinery.
Emerging applications: lower-volume and made-to-order drawer producers that want dovetail and box-joint flexibility at a lower cost of ownership.
Features
Precision, Reliability and Low Cost of Ownership
This unique machine offers production flexibility combined with lightning fast changeovers.
- 3HP high speed spindle motor.
- Variable speed spindle up to 20,000RPM
- Optional scoring pass to reduce tearout.
- Collet type tool change, increases flexibility with different types of bits/cutters.
- Automatic partial tenon removal (No special tools required).
- Able to Load multiple parts while spindle is in operation.
- Create half-blind dovetails and box joints.
- Change pitch, size and pattern of dovetail in seconds from operator console.
- Resharpened bits easily accommodated using cutter compensation.
- Tenon/mortise fit is easily adjusted from the operator console.
- Part thickness changeovers are made in seconds from the operator console.
- Programmable cutting speeds with high speed non-cutting moves between zones.
- Easy to understand and simple to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 1101 Dovetailer?
The 1101 is Mereen-Johnson’s single-spindle CNC dovetailer — a flexible machine that cuts half-blind dovetails and box joints on solid-wood drawer boxes, with fast, console-driven changeovers.
What is a half-blind dovetail?
A half-blind dovetail is the classic drawer joint: the dovetails show on the drawer side but not through the front face, so the drawer front stays clean. The 1101 cuts them (and box joints) to your chosen pitch, size, and pattern.
Does it cut box joints too?
Yes. As a box joint machine as well as a dovetailer, the 1101 cuts both half-blind dovetails and box joints, changeable from the console.
How is it different from the 1105-H?
The 1101 is the single-spindle model — a 3 HP spindle to 20,000 RPM — flexible and lower-cost for lower-volume and custom work. The 1105-H is the five-spindle, high-production model. Both cut the same joint types.
What size drawers can it make?
Drawer height 1-3/4″ to 28″ (up to 13.5″ in 4-zone use, 28″ in dual-zone), a 6″ minimum width, and a 7″ minimum depth, in material 3/8″ to 3/4″ thick.
Do I need CNC programming skills?
No. Pattern, size, fit, and thickness changes are all made from an easy touch-screen console — no machine-tool programming required.
How does it reduce tearout?
An optional scoring pass reduces tearout for cleaner joints, and cutter compensation keeps the fit accurate.
Is it made in the USA?
Yes. The 1101 is designed and built by Mereen-Johnson in the USA.
Automation & Robotics
Tailored Solutions for the Solid Wood Sector
Mereen-Johnson stands at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge automated handling solutions that will streamline your workforce and wood machinery assets. Our smart, automated handling solutions are meticulously crafted to enhance your machine throughput and efficacy while substantially trimming your labor expenses.
Our complete spectrum of services ranges from conceptualization and design of production lines to installation, personnel training and ongoing maintenance, and we cater to a wide array of client requirements, offering both standardized system solutions and fully personalized options to suit your specific needs.
The Mereen-Johnson Difference
Made in the USA Quality
Vertically integrated manufacturing in the USA means we control every step of the process to deliver the performance and longevity that the industry has grown to expect from us.
Turnkey Custom Solutions
Listening to your specific needs, we will adapt a standard machine or develop a fully custom solution, including automation and robotics, and manufacture it in-house.
Excellence Under One Roof
Our state-of-the-art production space has room to build, test and prove large-scale design solutions. Design-build teams work together to make your custom concept a reality.
Parts, Service & Training
We will always support your machine. From training programs to replacement parts, schematics to software support, we’ve got you covered, remotely or onsite.