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Dovetails are designed so that the tails help hold the piece together in the direction they will take the most outward stress. Look at a dovetailed drawer and the tails are on the side piece so that the tapers help hold it together when pulling and pushing on the drawer front.
Which way will have more stress pushing out with your tool trays? That's which side they would be on for a traditional look. Looking at your projects, to me that would mean tails on the end pieces.
Now, all that said, the design for strength was largely a result of needing the mechanical advantage with early glues that didn't hold as well. With modern glues, it's kind of a moot point. The wood will break long before the glue joint, so you can realistically put the tails on whichever side you think looks best and you aren't sacrificing hardly anything in strength. They would definitely be more visible and attractive on the side pieces.
Which way will have more stress pushing out with your tool trays? That's which side they would be on for a traditional look. Looking at your projects, to me that would mean tails on the end pieces.
Now, all that said, the design for strength was largely a result of needing the mechanical advantage with early glues that didn't hold as well. With modern glues, it's kind of a moot point. The wood will break long before the glue joint, so you can realistically put the tails on whichever side you think looks best and you aren't sacrificing hardly anything in strength. They would definitely be more visible and attractive on the side pieces.
