Woodworking Joints

Wooden structure are either frames or boxes (carcases). Joints are needed at the corners and where the pieces crossover.

Frame Joints

  Butt joints are the most basic joint where the corner is joined by glue and/or pins. Butt joints are commonly used in modern construction and then reinforced with steel plates. This reduces the need for skilled labour and allows rapid fabrication of frames such as roof trusses.
Bridle joint. This is a strong joint which can also be reinforced with pegs. It is similar to the through mortise and tenon. Cut with a tenon saw and a chisel
Bridle joint
Mortise and tenon joint Through mortise and tenon. A very strong joint used on woodwork benches. It is often reinforced with pegs and wedges. Cut using a tenon saw and chisel.
Halving joints are very common in frame construction and are all cut with saw and chisel. The cross halving is essential where frame members cross over Cross halving joint
Tee halving joint Tee halving joints are easily cut. Theyare used where a cross member meets a side member.
Corner halving joints. Can be very quickly cut using just a saw. Reinforced by pinning or using a peg Corner halving joint

Box or carcase Joints

Dovetail joint Dovetail Joints are very strong. They lock together and are strong even without glue in one direction. Traditionally used for making drawers - holding the drawer front to the sides.
Finger or comb joints are similar to dovetails but are not as strong as the y do not lock together. They are easy to cut by machine as well as by hand. They are used for making boxes and box frames. Comb or finger joint
Mitre joints are not strong at all they are used for decorative effect to give a neat corner. The wood is cut to a precise 45° to produce a right angle when the joint is assembled. They can be reinforced by pinning or inserting strips of veneer. Used for picture frames and architraves around doors.
Half laps are used for frame construction and while not strong do increase the glue line(area of glue)and give an oportunity to add a screw or pin to reinforce the joint. These joints also improve accuracy when assembling.
See Below Butt joints are the most basic joint where the corner is joined by glue and/or pins.
Dowelled butt joint A dowelled joint is a butt joint reinforced by dowels. This can be very strong and is widely used in manufacturing. It has found a new use in joining man-made boards such as MDF.
The housing joint is used for shelves Housing joint

Lik to wood joint quizzes

Now try these wood joint quizzes

Quiz - 1 Wood joints

Quiz - 2 Frame joint matching

Quiz - 3 Carcase joint matching

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