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Common Woodworking Joints

 

A craftsperson is known by the joints they make. Not only do carefully made joints enhance the appearance of a piece of furniture, but they also contribute largely to its strength and durability. Shown here are some of the more common woodworking joints used in cabinet making.

Spliced or Halved Joint

Spliced or Halved Joint used where the ends of two pieces are to be joined together in a continuous line to obtain extra length.

End Lap or Halved Joint

End Lap or Halved Joint used where the end of one piece joins the end of another at an angle . Often used on window screens, frames, small doors or panel type of construction .

Cross Lap Joint

Cross Lap Joint used where two pieces having square edges intersect each other as in the case of making pigeon holes, divisions on an umbrella stand etc.

Middle Lap Joint

Middle Lap Joint used to connect two members at some intersecting point in the form of the letter T. See Note*

Rabbet Joint

Rabbet Joint used extensively in drawer and cabinet construction where a plain butt joint would be objectionable on account of the end grains showing

Dado Joint

Dado Joint used in the back construction of drawers, the joining of the shelves to the sides, for book shelves, etc.

Butt Joint

Butt Joint used a great deal in box construction . This - joint is often simply nailed together.

Glued and Blocked Butt Joint

Glued and Blocked Butt Joint used extensively in cabinet work. The strength depends on the quality of the glued joint and the reinforced blocking

Dowel Butt Joint

Dowel Butt Joint used in cabinet work in place of the mortise and tenon joint wherever the leg and rail type of construction is used.

Edge to Edge Dowel Joint

Edge to Edge Dowel Joint—used for joining together various boards as in the case of wide table tops, panels, etc . The dowels help to line up the one surface of all the different boards joined in this way.

End Dado or Box Joint

End Dado or Box Joint Sometimes called dado and rabbet joint used in box construction.

Dado Tongue and Rabbet Joint

Dado Tongue and Rabbet Joint used in drawer construction. This type shows very little end grain and has a good gluing area.

Mitre Joint

Mitre Joint used extensively in picture frame construction or running moldings . A true mitre is cut at 45° . This joint, however, may be made at any angle.

Mitre with Spline

Mitre with Spline used for the stronger and better type of mitre construction. The grain of the spline must run at right angles to the mitre cut.

Through Mortise and Tenon Joint

Through Mortise and Tenon Joint used for all forms of frame or panel construction as in doors, blinds, screens, etc . The hole portion is known as the mortise and the other part fitting into it as the tenon.

Blind Mortise and Tenon Joint

Blind Mortise and Tenon Joint used extensively in all forms of leg and rail construction where the end of the tenon, as in the case of the through mortise and tenon joint, would be objectionable.

End Mortise and Tenon Joint

End Mortise and Tenon Joint a simplified type of mortise and tenon joint . Used for the making of screens, frames, etc.

Stub Mortise and Tenon Joint

Stub Mortise and Tenon Joint differs from the blind mortise and tenon joints in that the joint is made with a short tenon. Is used more extensively in carpentry work.

Panel Construction

Panel Construction grooves are cut in the edges to receive the panels. This form has its value in allowing for expansion and contraction of the panel.

Half Lap Dovetail Joint

Half Lap Dovetail Joint used in place of the middle lap joint where there is to be a pulling strain on one member.

Half Dovetail Dado Joint

Half Dovetail Dado Joint a good joint, but difficult to make it fit well on wide surfaces used in place of simple dado joint.

Through Single Dovetail Joint

Through Single Dovetail Joint—used in place of the end mitre and tenon joint.

Multiple End Dovetail Joint

Multiple End Dovetail Joint used extensively in drawer construction.

Blind Mitre or Secret Dovetail Joint

Blind Mitre or Secret Dovetail Joint a very difficult joint to make and used very little . For fine box construction. No joints show except the mitre cut .

  • *note: The Spliced, End, Lap and Cross, Lap Joints are of the half lap group and are made in much the same way, that is, cutting away half of the wood on both members, making the top and bottom surfaces flush (even).