Wood Joints

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Wood Joints

• By Joe Barrette
• TE 350

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Types of Common Joints
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The Lap Joint

• Lap joint is the easiest to construct, but needs
  nails or screws with the glue to provide
  strength. The end grain of one piece will show
  from one side or the other.

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Miter Joint

• The miter joint is best looking as no end grain
  shows but it is more difficult to construct as
  the 45 angles must be cut accurately. Finishing
  nails are usually needed with glue to strengthen
  the joint.

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Tongue and Groove

• The tongue and groove joint is stronger than the
  LAP joint but requires more work to create. This
  joint works well on horizontal pieces like drawer
  supports or shelves.

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The Dado joint

• The dado joint is stronger and better looking
  than the LAP joint and finishing nails can be
  hidden easily. This joint works well on recessed
  drawer fronts.

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The Dovetail joint

• The dovetail joint is the strongest of the joints
  shown as the two pieces interlock. This joint
  requires much more work to construct but is
  considered high quality. This joint can be used
  on all corners but is typically found in drawer
  construction.

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Mortise Tenon

• The mortise and tenon joint is very strong and
  takes considerable work to construct. This joint
  works well for connecting chair or table rungs to
  legs.

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The Dowel Joint

• The DOWEL joint is very strong and requires care
  in locating the holes for the wood dowels. The
  dowels are usually made from .25" diameter birch
  or maple. This joint is typically used to join
  boards along their long edges

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The End