So now I have all the pockets cut into the sides it's time to make the rails.

(sorry I did not notice I forgot to rotate the photo

If you know how to fix it let me know)

I start by cutting all the rails to the length I need for the inside of the cabinet plus the depth of the pockets on each side. Then by using a scrap piece I set up my router fence and dovetail bit in a router table. I then cut the matching dove tail on each end of the rails.

Now I have all the rails with matching dovetails on the ends. As you can see the top rail I only cut half of the dovetail. This is to fit the pocket that was cut all the way through on the top.

The lenght of the rail is a little longer than the pocket. This was done on purpose. To hide the end of the dove tail and pocket inside the cabinet. To cut this off I just slid the fence back to where I cut my mark off. Then ran them through.

Now I have rails and pockets, lets put them together.

Sliding Dove Tails

To make the sliding dove tails. I first start by laying out my dove tails on the edge of the side panels.

Then I place the jig I made so my edge marks line up. Then I clamp the jig in place. I set my router to cut at the depth I want and run the router through the jig.

As you can see I now have a great dovetail pocket in the side of the cabinet. I then move the jig to the next location and so on and so forth.

At the top of the case I cut the pocket all the way to the top otherwise I'm left with a flimsy peace of end-grain wood that will break out when I try to slip the rail in place.