Article Name: Easy Wood Joints - Pocket Hole Joints and Sandwich Half Laps
Word Count: 702
Author: Andy Duframe
Link Reference: https://www.ezwoodshop.com
Article Summary: The biggest challenge in building something with wood is figuring out how to make two boards come together. Of course, in woodworking terms, this is called a wood joint. There are a lot of different types of wood joints -- some joints are fairly easy to make, while other joints are much more complex.
The biggest challenge in building something with wood is figuring out how to make two boards come together. Of course, in woodworking terms, this is called a wood joint. Now there are a lot of different types of wood joints -- some joints are fairly easy to make, while other joints are much more involved and complex. So how do we decide which type of joint to use? The best way to answer that question is to first think about:
First let’s take a look at the type of project you have in mind. For example, building fine furniture for the home, like a desk, a cabinet, or a bookcase usually requires some fairly sophisticated wood joinery:
--half lap joints
--cross-lap joints
--dados and grooves
--rabbet joints
--mortise and tenon joints
--miters
And these kinds of wood joints require some fairly sophisticated shop tools:
--jointer
--table Saw
--dado Blade Set
--router
--router Table
--drill Press
As much as I admire the quality and craftsmanship that goes into building projects like these, I think this level of woodworking might be out of reach for a lot of people. The tools can get very expensive, and it takes some time to learn how to use them. That’s why I’m always looking for alternative types of of wood joints, joints that can be made with fewer (and less expensive) shop tools -- and joints that don’t require the skills of a master craftsman.
Over the years, I’ve discovered two types of wood joints that meet that requirement:
--pocket hole joints
--
“sandwich” joints
First let’s take a look at the pocket hole joint. At first glance, a pocket hole joint resembles a simple butt joint – that is, two pieces of wood stuck together end to end. However, a butt joint by itself is relatively weak, and usually requires some complicated joinery or extra hardware to help hold the boards together. That’s where pocket hole joints come to the rescue.
Now to make a pocket hole joint, you’ll need a “pocket hole jig” -- a special tool that comes with a pocket bit, which creates a pocket hole, which provides a path for a pocket screw. This creates a remarkably strong joint between two boards. And In most cases, you won’t even need to use glue.
Pocket hole joints are perfect for building things like:
--inner skeleton of a cabinet (called a carcass).
--face frames that you attach to a cabinet.
--solid wood box
The best part about pocket hole joints is that you can build fairly complex furniture without spending a fortune on tools. A circular saw, a combination drill & driver, a pocket hole jig, and few hand clamps from around your shop is all you need to get the job done. And once you get the hang of making pocket hole joints, your project ideas are limited only by your imagination.
Now let’s take a look at another type of simple and easy joinery that I call the “sandwich” joint. A sandwich joint very similar to a conventional half-lap joint, which happens to be one of the most widely-used types of joinery in woodworking. And for good reason. Half lap joints are incredibly strong and durable. And that’s because of the extra gluing surface it provides (the more gluing surface in a joint, the stronger the bond).
The only problem with conventional half lap joints is that they require some of the more expensive woodworking tools I mentioned earlier -- tools that might also be difficult for beginners to use. That’s why I like the sandwich joint. It takes full advantage of the strength of a conventional half-lap, but is simpler, easier, and less expensive to make. The overhang creates a “step” or a “lap” on to which another sandwiched board can be mounted. Bringing all four boards together in this fashion creates an incredibly strong joint -- which can be just as strong as a conventional half-lap joint.
Author: Andy Duframe
Website: www.ezwoodshop.com
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