3.
JOINTS
BASIC WOODWORKING JOINTS
Woodworking joints can be divided into three groups
(i) lengthening
(ii) widthing
(iii) angle joints
Lengthening joints are used when available timbers prove to be
too short for the job in hand.
Laminated beams are an example and figure 3.1 shows a
beam built up from a number of short lengths of board with
the joints distributed evenly throughout. These laminations are
glued together and held in a series of clamps until the glue has
set. Laminating timbers in this way will enable the carpenter
or joiner to produce a strong length of timber to any required
dimensions- in structural work, this method is used to
produce timbers of any required shape as well as for straight
work.
Figure 3.2 shows how these beams can be used: over an
opening such as a garage doorway, and supported on built-up
posts. The posts can be made to any dimensions; in rough
work, such as timbers for supports, the pieces can be nailed
securely together to form a large bulk of timber (figure 3.3).
Other types of lengthening joints can be seen in figs 3.4 and
3.5. Figure 3.4 shows a handrail bolted joint connecting two
timbers lengthwise; this type of joint is used in joinery work.
The two timbers are butt jointed, the hole for the bolt in each
piece being carefully positioned by using a gauge. The holes
should be drilled and small mortices made in the edges of the
timbers so that the nuts to the bolt can be inserted. One of the
nuts is round and can be tightened by using a punch and
hammer. Figure 3.5 shows how the head of a curved frame is
built up using curved laminations.
Widthing joints enable us to build up narrow widths of timber
into wider boards. The most common of these joints is the butt
joint (figure 3.6), which comprises two timbers planed square
and straight on the two meeting edges and glued together to
form a single board.
32
A. B. Emary, Carpentry, Joinery and Machine Woodworking
© A.B. Emary 1974
Figure 3.7 is a tongued and grooved joint consisting of a
tongue worked on the meeting edge of one of the two pieces
and a groove of similar dimensions on the other. If the joint is
to be glued (as it would be for joinery purposes) the tongue
should be slightly shorter than the depth of the groove to
allow the joint to come up tight. Both pieces of timber are
often grooved and a loose tongue of plywood is inserted. This
joint is considered to be superior in strength to the butt joint
if an additional gluing surface is required.
Since the Second World War, great strides have been made
in the development of adhesives for woodworking that are
now completely reliable with regard to strength provided that
they are used for the purposes for which they were intended.
Before modern glues were available there were many variations
in joints used for increasing the width of timber- these
variations are not necessary now. They included slot screwed
joints and others, which, if made at present, would make the
work uneconomical. The butt joint described earlier will be
strong enough for most purposes.
Figure 3.8 shows another tongued and grooved joint used in
secret fixing to floor boards in high quality work.
Figure 3.9 shows the tongued and grooved joint found in
built up panel work, for example in the ledged and braced
door (p. 99).
This material is termed matchboarding and in addition to
the tongues and grooves, beads and V-joints are also included
in the preparation of the boards.
Another type of board used for panel work is called
shiplap boarding (figure 3.10). It is often seen on the
elevations of buildings and is used as covering material for
timber buildings and site offices. The joint can be termed
tongued and grooved with the variation seen in the drawings.
Figures 3.11 and 3.12 show two ways of ensuring the
flatness of solid timbers which have been made wider.
Figure 3.11 shows a rebated batten held against the board by
means of lipped buttons which are screwed to the board. This
method allows the board to move, while keeping it flat.
Figure 3.12 shows another method of holding a board flat
 joints 33

glued and
laminated beam

Figure 3.12

Figure 3.2a

Figure 3.2b

handrail bolt

Figure 3.5

PTF LOW PRICE EDITION