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Joinery - Methods for Connecting Wood

Joinery is simply the method by which two pieces of wood are connected. In many cases, the appearance of a joint becomes at least as important as it's strength. Joinery encompasses everything from intricate half-blind dovetails to connections that are simply nailed, glued or screwed. In this section, we'll discuss a number of joinery options to consider when working on your projects.
Basic Joinery - Clean Butt Joints
The Butt Joint is the most basic woodworking joint. Although the joint is simple, there is a considerable amount of accuracy that must be maintained for a butt joint to function properly. Learn tips for making clean and functional butt joints.
Mitered Butt Joints - A Cleaner Butt Joint
While the Butt Joint is the most basic method of woodworking joinery, a Mitered Butt Joint is often more favorable, because the end grain of the two pieces of stock are hidden. This is especially useful on picture frames or when joining moldings. Learn how to create a clean mitered butt joint.
Mortise & Tenon Joints - Simple and Strong
Mortise & Tenon joints have been employed by woodworkers for centuries. Learn tips and tricks for making strong, tight fitting mortise and tenon joints you'll be proud to display.
Basic Joinery - Half Lap Joints
Half lap joints are a basic form of joinery where half of the material is removed from two pieces of stock so that they fit together flush. Learn how to create these basic woodworking joints and when you should employ them.
Biscuit Joinery Basics - Tips for Better Biscuit Joints
When your woodworking plans call for certain types of connections between pieces of stock such as edge-to-edge joints, miter joints, T-joints and corner joints, one of the simplest and most effective methods of joinery is the biscuit joint. Learn tips and tricks for making strong, accurate biscuit joints.
Pocket Joinery - How to Make Quick, Strong Pocket Joints
Pocket Joints are little more than a screw driven through a diagonally placed hole. While pocket joints can be difficult to create by hand, with a special pocket hole jig, they are very easy to use. Learn the benefits of pocket joinery and when to use them in your woodworking projects.
Woodworking Joinery - How to Cut a Dado
One of the most useful joints, particularly when building cabinets, is the dado. A dado is merely a groove cut into one piece of wood that will securely hold another piece of wood. This article shows you how to properly cut and when to use dados in your woodworking projects.
How to Cut a Rabbet
Another very useful joint for connecting two pieces of stock, particularly when building cabinets, is the rabbet. A rabbet is merely a dado cut into one piece of wood at the edge that will securely hold another piece of wood. This article shows you how to properly cut and when to use rabbets in your woodworking projects.
Types of Woodworking Joints
There are many ways to affix two pieces of wood together. Learn the different types of joints, from Biscuit Joints and Lap Joints to Dovetails and Box Joints.
Hand Cut Dovetails
While most woodworkers today cut dovetail joints with a router and a jig, in the past these beautiful joints were cut by hand. Learn the basics of hand cutting dovetail joints.
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