Joints
Housing Joints
What is a Housing joint?
Housing joints are used when two pieces meet at right angles on their narrow face. A shallow trench is cut across the grain of the vertical member, the shelf or panel is then glued into a simple straightforward housing and all the loads are transferred to the sides of the unit. Pins can further strengthen the joint.
Through housing joint
The trench of the though housing goes fully across the piece of wood so the joint can be seen.
The trench of the though housing goes fully across the piece of wood so the joint can be seen.
Stopped housing joint
For decorative effect, the trench of the housing is often stopped short of the front edge of the side panel by some 9 - 12 mm. No part of the joint is visible from the front because the joint is completely concealed. This is particularly important where a high quality finish is required.
For decorative effect, the trench of the housing is often stopped short of the front edge of the side panel by some 9 - 12 mm. No part of the joint is visible from the front because the joint is completely concealed. This is particularly important where a high quality finish is required.
Tapered housing joint
A tapered housing joint is used for deep cabinets. Extra strength is created by the dovetail slope on one side giving it more holding power then the through housing. It has good resistance to tension.
A tapered housing joint is used for deep cabinets. Extra strength is created by the dovetail slope on one side giving it more holding power then the through housing. It has good resistance to tension.
Tapered stopped housing joint
This joint is a version of the tapered housing joint. The tapered housing can be stopped 9 - 12 mm from the front to conceal the joint. Similar to the stopped housing joint no part of the joint is visible from the front because the joint is completely concealed. This is particularly important where a high quality finish is required.
This joint is a version of the tapered housing joint. The tapered housing can be stopped 9 - 12 mm from the front to conceal the joint. Similar to the stopped housing joint no part of the joint is visible from the front because the joint is completely concealed. This is particularly important where a high quality finish is required.
Halving Joints
What is a Halving joint?
In halving joint, half the thickness of the wood is cut from each piece, forming one unit. This gives a flush surface with the pieces locked together for strength.
In halving joint, half the thickness of the wood is cut from each piece, forming one unit. This gives a flush surface with the pieces locked together for strength.
Cross Halving Joint
Uses: The cross halving joint is used when horizontal members cross vertical members of frames, for example, in divisions for cabinets, doors and windows.
Forces: The joint has good resistance to movement from side to side due to the makeup of the joint assembly. However it can easily pull apart and is often reinforced with screws or dowels depending on the purpose of the joint
Uses: The cross halving joint is used when horizontal members cross vertical members of frames, for example, in divisions for cabinets, doors and windows.
Forces: The joint has good resistance to movement from side to side due to the makeup of the joint assembly. However it can easily pull apart and is often reinforced with screws or dowels depending on the purpose of the joint
Corner Halving Joint
Uses: on the corners of light frames or to fix bearers to supports, for example, in garden/ street furniture or a child's swing.
The corner halving joint relies almost entirely on glue for its strength. It can be reinforced for extra strength with screws, nails or dowels.
Uses: on the corners of light frames or to fix bearers to supports, for example, in garden/ street furniture or a child's swing.
The corner halving joint relies almost entirely on glue for its strength. It can be reinforced for extra strength with screws, nails or dowels.
Tree Halving Joint
Use: where one member intersects another, finishing flush on the outside edge.
The tee halving joint is a combination of the cross halving and the corner halving joint. It is a relatively strong joint, but relies on glue for a lot of its strength.
Use: where one member intersects another, finishing flush on the outside edge.
The tee halving joint is a combination of the cross halving and the corner halving joint. It is a relatively strong joint, but relies on glue for a lot of its strength.
Dovetail Halving joint
In the dovetail halving joint, a dovetail is introduced to increase the strength of a tee halving joint. It is similar to the tee halving, is stronger and can resist pulling forces better.
Uses: This joint is frequently incorporated into cross members in furniture making, due to its resistance to pulling forces.
In the dovetail halving joint, a dovetail is introduced to increase the strength of a tee halving joint. It is similar to the tee halving, is stronger and can resist pulling forces better.
Uses: This joint is frequently incorporated into cross members in furniture making, due to its resistance to pulling forces.
Bridle Joints
CornerBridle joint
Use: for lightweight frames, provided they are not subjected to sideways pressure, which tends to force bridle joints out of the square.
The strength of the bridle can be improved if you insert two dowels through the side of the joint after the glue has set.
Use: for lightweight frames, provided they are not subjected to sideways pressure, which tends to force bridle joints out of the square.
The strength of the bridle can be improved if you insert two dowels through the side of the joint after the glue has set.
Tee bridle joint
Use: for intermediate supports for frames.
Unlike the corner bridle, the tee bridle joint is not weak when subjected to sideways pressure and is similar in strength to the mortise and tenon joint
Use: for intermediate supports for frames.
Unlike the corner bridle, the tee bridle joint is not weak when subjected to sideways pressure and is similar in strength to the mortise and tenon joint
Mortise and tenon joints
What is a Mortise and tenon joint?
The mortise and tenon is one of the most common joints used by woodworkers and is the traditional corner joint for sturdy frames
The mortise and tenon is one of the most common joints used by woodworkers and is the traditional corner joint for sturdy frames
Through mortise and tenon joint
In a through mortise and tenon joint the end grain is visible and the joint needs accurate cutting for good appearance.
In a through mortise and tenon joint the end grain is visible and the joint needs accurate cutting for good appearance.
Haunched mortised and tenon joint
In order to include a strong joint at the frame, a haunch is introduced to the joint. The haunch prevents the frame from twisting and makes it firmer, giving it added strength. It also increases the gluing area.
In order to include a strong joint at the frame, a haunch is introduced to the joint. The haunch prevents the frame from twisting and makes it firmer, giving it added strength. It also increases the gluing area.
Double mortise and tenon joint
This joint gives excellent strength and is used where the mortise is cut into the face rather than the edge of the wood. Proportions of the joint will depend on whether it is used for light or heavy work.
This joint gives excellent strength and is used where the mortise is cut into the face rather than the edge of the wood. Proportions of the joint will depend on whether it is used for light or heavy work.
Stopped mortise and tenon joint
This is the best joint for external work as most of the joint is protected from the weather by tenon shoulders. The joint is strong and concealed and used in furniture construction where a high- quality finish is required.
The stopped mortise and tenon joint is a good looking joint because the tenon of this joint does not show on the outside face. The depth of the mortise should be three-quarters of the thickness of the wood being joined.
This is the best joint for external work as most of the joint is protected from the weather by tenon shoulders. The joint is strong and concealed and used in furniture construction where a high- quality finish is required.
The stopped mortise and tenon joint is a good looking joint because the tenon of this joint does not show on the outside face. The depth of the mortise should be three-quarters of the thickness of the wood being joined.
Dovetail Joints
What is a Dovetail joint?
Dovetails are the strongest of all joints. The joint is made up of interlocking wedge-shaped elements called pins and tails that resist the forces applied to the joint. This joint looks attractive and, if well made, the decorative quality can be used to enhance projects. In other projects the joint can be hidden completely. Dovetail joints work best when in tension. For example, the most common application of the dovetail joint is in drawer making as the strength of the joints tails and pins resist the pulling forces applied to the drawer. Dovetails are so strong it is rare to see a drawer that has broken as a result of joint failure, even when put under frequent stresses.
Dovetails are the strongest of all joints. The joint is made up of interlocking wedge-shaped elements called pins and tails that resist the forces applied to the joint. This joint looks attractive and, if well made, the decorative quality can be used to enhance projects. In other projects the joint can be hidden completely. Dovetail joints work best when in tension. For example, the most common application of the dovetail joint is in drawer making as the strength of the joints tails and pins resist the pulling forces applied to the drawer. Dovetails are so strong it is rare to see a drawer that has broken as a result of joint failure, even when put under frequent stresses.
Dovetail having joint
In the dovetail halving joint, a dovetail is introduced to increase the strength of a tee halving joint. It is similar to the tee halving, is stronger and can resist pulling forces better.
Uses: This joint is frequently incorporated into cross members in furniture making, due to its resistance to pulling forces.
In the dovetail halving joint, a dovetail is introduced to increase the strength of a tee halving joint. It is similar to the tee halving, is stronger and can resist pulling forces better.
Uses: This joint is frequently incorporated into cross members in furniture making, due to its resistance to pulling forces.
Corner (single) dovetail joint
Use: For making frames and strong brackets
Use: For making frames and strong brackets
Box dovetail joint
Use: used in the construction of drawers, boxes and in cabinet work.
The through dovetail is the most basic form of the joint and it is visible on both sides of a corner.
Use: used in the construction of drawers, boxes and in cabinet work.
The through dovetail is the most basic form of the joint and it is visible on both sides of a corner.
Dowel joints
What is a dowel joint?
A dowel joint is a butt joint reinforced with wooden pegs. A well-made dowel joint is as strong as a mortise and tenon joint. It is often used instead of the mortise and tenon joint if cost is a consideration in the assembly of the work. Dowel holes must be a perfect 90 degrees to the face of the work or the dowel will twist when it is assembled.
A dowel joint is a butt joint reinforced with wooden pegs. A well-made dowel joint is as strong as a mortise and tenon joint. It is often used instead of the mortise and tenon joint if cost is a consideration in the assembly of the work. Dowel holes must be a perfect 90 degrees to the face of the work or the dowel will twist when it is assembled.
Dowelled butt joint
This style of butt joint is the simplest of all methods of joining two pieces wood together. However the strength of the joint relies entirely on the glue and any additional fixings such as screws, pins, nails, tongues, biscuits, corner blocks or in this case the dowels used to strengthen, reinforce and hold the wood together.
This style of butt joint is the simplest of all methods of joining two pieces wood together. However the strength of the joint relies entirely on the glue and any additional fixings such as screws, pins, nails, tongues, biscuits, corner blocks or in this case the dowels used to strengthen, reinforce and hold the wood together.
Dowelled mitred butt joint
A mitre joint is a form of decorative butt joint which no end grain is visible. A mitre halves the angle between the parts being joined. It is normally cut at 45 degrees, but different angles can be used for non square frames. The joint is usually reinforced with pins, nails, or in this case dowels to improve its strength.
A mitre joint is a form of decorative butt joint which no end grain is visible. A mitre halves the angle between the parts being joined. It is normally cut at 45 degrees, but different angles can be used for non square frames. The joint is usually reinforced with pins, nails, or in this case dowels to improve its strength.