2. Butt joint
The butt joint is the most basic and simple joint.
Made with only two pieces of timber that are butted together at the ends.
The weakest joint that is used in woodwork but it is also the easiest to make.
It is only used in basic woodwork projects.
3. How to Make Butt Joints
Step1: The butt joint is very simple to make and you start by measuring out the lengths you
want your timber to be and then using a try square mark a straight line across the timber
where you are going to cut it.
Step2: Now cut your timber at the line you have marked and repeat steps 1 and 2 on your
next piece of timber
You can either use a hand saw such as a tenon saw to cut your timber or you can use a drop
saw. If you are securing the joint together with pieces of dowel drill the holes accurately now
before you begin step 4.
4. Step3: Secure your first piece of timber in a vice or to the side of a bench with clamps but keep
the top flush with the rest of the bench.
Step4: Apply some glue to the top of the secured timber and then place your next piece of
timber directly over your first piece making sure to line up the edges. Now clamp up the joint
or hammer in some nails or add some screws.
Step5: Now check to see if you're joint is square and leave it to
dry. If you are putting nails or screws in the joint check it is
square before you use them.
Step6 Optional: You can strengthen your butt joint by securing a
square or triangular block of wood to the inside of the joint
which also helps to prevent movement.
10. Dowel reinforced butt joint
Holes are often drilled with the assistance of a dowelling jig
which aids in accurate hole placement — accuracy is paramount
in this technique to ensure members line up perfectly in the
completed joint. The holes are drilled such that there are
corresponding holes in each member into which short dowels
are inserted with some glue. The joint is brought together and
clamped until the glue has dried.
The biscuit is an oval shaped piece of specially dried and
compressed wood, usually beech, which is installed in matching
mortises in both members of the joint in a similar fashion to a
loose or floating tenon.
A biscuit reinforced
butt joint
11. The screwed butt joint uses one or more screws inserted after the
joint has been brought together. The screws are usually inserted into
an edge on the long grain side of one member and extend through
the joint into the end grain of the adjacent member. For this reason,
long screws are required (usually 3 times the thickness of the
member) to ensure good traction. These joints may also be glued
although it is not necessary.
Screwed butt joint
Butt joint with pocket hole screws
This is a variation of the screwed butt joint in which the screws
are inserted into pocket holes drilled in the rear face of one of
the joint members.
12. Glue Blocks and Braces
Glue blocks are commonly used inside plywood and MDF assemblies,
like cabinets, dressers, armoires, etc. They can also be used on solid
wood projects, as long as the glue block’s grain runs parallel to the
grain of the assembly.
Nails and Screws
An easy way to strengthen carcass assemblies is to add nails
or screws, to hold the joints together while the glue dries.
13. Screws driven into the holes pull the parts together and secure them firmly. Pocket
screwed butt joints are quick to assemble and require no glue, so there’s no squeeze-out
or messy drips to clean up afterwards.
Pocket Screws
