Your Guide to 6 Types of Woodworking Joints

Joining two pieces of wood together is an essential skill for woodworkers.

But it can be more complicated than it sounds. First, you need to decide which type of joint you will for each project and second which tools you will use to complete the job.

Butt Joint

It’s the simplest of all joints; two pieces of wood butted against each other and glued or reinforced. You can cut the wood to size by using a tenon saw, or a drop saw. Use clamps to secure the joint while the glue dries or hammer in nails to reinforce the joint. Simply glueing an end grain to a long grain surface is the weakest type of joint. You can strengthen the joint by adding a triangle or square of wood on the inside of the joint.

Lap Joint

Another simple joint but stronger than a butt joint, a lap joint is when one piece of wood sits over another at an angle. A full lap joint uses the original height of both pieces of wood while the more popular half-lap joints use half the thickness of each piece. The final joint is the same height of the thickest piece.

The joint can meet at a corner or crossover. It’s an ideal method to use when the wood stock is thick. The notches provide a large surface area for the glue to firmly hold the two pieces together.

Numerous tools can be used to create a lap joint from a table saw dado stop pro kit or, if you prefer hand tools, a saw and chisel will do the job.

Mortise & Tenon Joint

A strong structural joint, the mortise and tenon joint is suitable for joining the end of a board with another using a tab and slot method. This classic joining method is used when the two pieces of wood meet at a 90 degree or slightly less angle. Many woodworkers believe it is one of the best looking joints. To make the tenon, a band saw, or tenoning jig on a table saw can be used. For the mortise, a drill bit inside a four-sided chisel can be used or a hand chisel for the traditionalist.

Biscuit Joint

A biscuit joint is a reinforced butt joint. A common point on two pieces of wood is found then cut a 4mm slot cut halfway in the width of the timber. A biscuit shaped piece of wood is used to secure the two pieces of timber. Engineered wood and plywood are ideal woods for this joint.

A slot cutter router bit makes it quick and easy to cut grooves, shallow rebates and trenches. If you need a deeper cut, you can stack multiple slot cutters on top of each other.

Dowel Joint

One of the simplest joints, a dowel joint is similar to a biscuit joint. Holes are made in both portions of wood stock, and a dowel inserted and glued to hold the two pieces together. A woodworker can choose to make the dowel pins or buy them ready cut to the length and diameter required.

Dovetail Joint

Considered one of the most revered types of joints due to its beauty and strength, dovetail joints are one of the most difficult to make. Specially designed dovetail saws make the job of cutting the tails easy, and a bevel-edged chisel used to remove the waste. If you prefer the machine method, you can use a router with a dovetail jig.

If you have any joinery questions or want to know the best tools to use for the job, don’t hesitate to contact us.