Common Woodworking Joints Beginning Woodworking Joints

Butt Joints Edge Butt Joint End Butt Joint -Used to make boards wider -Strong End Butt Joint -Not very strong, -Must be reinforced

Dowel Joint -Very Strong -Used to make butt joints stronger

Biscuit Joint -Used to strengthen end butt joints or edge joints. -Not as strong as dowel joints. - A type of a spline joint.

Mortise & Tenon Joint -Very Strong -Used on leg and rail construction

Rabbet Joint -Used to insert a back panel into the back of a cabinet. -Characteristic: Always on the end or edge of a board. Goes with or across the grain. -Used to insert a back panel into the back of a cabinet. -Cut ¼” deep. -Cut as wide as the board going into it.

Dado Joint - Characteristic: Across the Grain and in the middle of a board. -Cut ¼” deep, As wide as the board going into it. -Used to hold a fixed shelf

Groove (Plough) Joint -In the middle of a Board. - Characteristic: Goes with the Grain. -In the middle of a Board. -Cut ¼” deep and as wide as the board going it. -Used for drawer bottoms.

Miter Joint Plain Miter Flat Miter -Main purpose is to cover end grain. -Can be reinforced. -Used on the corners of picture frames.

Advanced Furniture Woodworking Joints

Tongue & Groove -Used on hardwood Flooring

Spline Joint -Separate piece of Wood glued inside. -Used to strengthen a miter or edge joint.

Blind (Stopped) Dado -Does not go clear through. -Stops about ¾”-1” short. -Used so you don’t see the joint.

Dovetail -Used in the best Drawer Construction.

Pocket Screw Joint -Used in place of a dowel Joint or Mortise and Tennon -Used on a face frame.

Lap Joint