Woodworking joints.pdf, Summaries of Construction

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Woodworking

making joints

Using Joints

Basic Butt Joint

The simplest of joints is a butt joint - so called because one piece of stock is butted up against another, then fixed in place, most commonly with nails or screws. The addition of glue will add some strength, but the joint relies primarily upon its mechanical fixings.

These joints can be used in making simple boxes or frames, providing that there will not be too much stress on the joint, or that the materials used will take nails or screws reliably. Butt joints are probably strongest when fixed using glued dowels.

Mitered Butt Joint

A mitered butt joint is basically the same as a basic butt joint, except that the two boards are joined at an angle (instead of square to one another). The advantage is that the mitered butt joint will not show any end grain, and as such is a bit more aesthetically pleasing. Learn how to create a clean mitered butt joint.

Rabbet

Another common cabinetry joint is the rabbet. A rabbet is basically a dado cut along the edge of a board. Rabbets are often used at the back of cabinets and other similar assemblies for attaching the back to the sides of the box, adding a considerable amount of strength to the assembly. Learn how to cut clean rabbets and when to use them.

http://www.technologystudent.com/joints/lapt1.htm

Rabbet

A rebate (or rabbet) cut in a piece of stock is also a joint. The purpose is to make assembly easier and to increase glue surface area. It is also possible to screw or pin through the rebate from underneath, or through the side.

Rebates can be simple or complex, but are effective joints and much stronger and easier to assemble than butt joints.

Half-Lap Joint

Another simple joint is the half-lap joint. This requires the removal of stock to exactly half of the overall thickness of the piece, in order that a similar piece can mate with it. This technique is also used in the cross-halving joint (see later).

The main uses for this joint are to allow two pieces of stock to meet - usually at a right angle - so that the joint is contained within the overall thickness of the material. Used for face frames, other simple frames and frequently in garden projects. Glue alone can be used as a fixing method, or combined with screws or nails.

Cross Half-Lap Joint

The cross-halving joint is another form of half- lap, but used where one piece of stock crosses another, in order to retain the same dimension. These joints are often used in braces, especially where stretchers cross over. If accurately constructed, this is an extremely strong joint.

Cross-halving joints can also be used in trellis construction, making box compartment dividers and as the bracing ribs of a torsion box.

The halving joint has good glue surface area and will resist side forces if accurately made with tight tolerances.

http://www.technologystudent.com/joints/crsh1.htm

Dovetail and Box Joints

Of all woodworking joints, the through dovetail may be the most revered. A classic through dovetail is beautiful and very strong, and adds a touch of class to any piece. There are a few methods for creating through dovetails. Learn the keys to a quality through dovetail joint.

Natural enhancement to this joint is the inclusion of the dovetail.

The dovetail will prevent the joint separating laterally through side forces.

Dovetail Joint

Half-blind dovetail joints are also very strong and resist pulling forces well.

The advantage with this joint is that it allows a plain drawer front, whilst retaining all the strength qualities of the through version.

Half-Blind Dovetail Joint

Half-Blind Dovetail Joint Through Dovetail Joint

Box Joint

A straightforward joint (which in a way is a development of the bridle joint) is the box joint, also known as the finger joint - because of the similarity to interlaced fingers. This is a very strong joint due to the vast amount of glue surface area.

The end grain of the fingers can be a problem, as it will inevitably stain or finish darker than the remainder of the piece, but this is often used as a feature or decorative element.

Tongue and Groove Joint

When joining two boards along a long edge, one can simply butt the joint together and hold it with glue. However, the tongue and groove joint is stronger and provides more glue surface. Learn how to create consistent tongue and groove joints.