Specification section 3.3 Joining methods – Wood joints Specification section 3.3

What do you need to learn? The advantages/disadvantages of using the following permanent method when joining materials and components

Joining methods – wood joints 3.3 It is important to choose the right wood joint for the job it is needed to do. You need to think about the following points when choosing which wood joint to use:   1. What material are you using? 2. Where will the joint be used? 3. What type of construction is the product? 4. Does it need to be permanent or temporary? 5. What tools/equipment/time are available to you? Joints are often glued together to make them more secure. You will need to carefully consider which adhesive to use - which is most appropriate for the material and where the product will be used? The marking out and cutting of wood joints takes a lot of skill. Accuracy is of the essence and this starts with correct marking out!

Joining methods – wood joints 3.3 What do I need to learn?   · You need to learn the names of the different joints, what they look like and what they are used for. · What are advantages and disadvantages of using each? · You also need to be able to sketch them as closed and exploded joints as this could come up in an exam question as well.

Joining methods – wood joints 3.3 The joints you need to know   Nails Using nails on a butt joint produces a very weak joint. When used with glue, nailed joints are often used for fixing backs of cupboards, decorative mouldings and general building and DIY work. Putting nails at an angle (called dovetailing) makes a stronger joint. 

Joining methods – wood joints 3.3 The joints you need to know Halving joint This joint involves removing half the material from each piece using a saw and chisel. These can sometimes be strengthened with a dowel through the joint. They can be used in fencing and cross-halving joints can be used for dividers in boxes.  Cross halving joint

Joining methods – wood joints 3.3 The joints you need to know   Rebate joint These joints are suitable for joining top and bottom ends of furniture/boxes such as jewellery boxes. You can use a rebate plane or a table top router to cut this joint.  Shoulder

Joining methods – wood joints 3.3 The joints you need to know   Housing joint A housing joint is a simple slot cut into one piece to increase the gluing area. These can be done by hand or using an electronic router. They are often used for shelving and is a suitable joint to use in MDF.

Joining methods – wood joints 3.3 The joints you need to know  Mortise and tenon This is a strong joint. You would use a tenon saw and mortise chisel to make this joint by hand. In industry they would use a machine to mill out the mortise and the tenon is machined with a rounded edge. These joints are mainly used in furniture, doors and gates. Mortise Tenon

Joining methods – wood joints 3.3 The joints you need to know Dowel joint These are very easy to produce and are popular in flat pack furniture. A dowel drilling jig is often used to make sure that the holes are aligned correctly. Some dowels may have grooves in them to increase the gluing surface area. They can be used in frame construction and furniture.