TOPIC
Joinery
Dovetails, mortise and tenon, box joints, dados, edge joints, pocket holes, Japanese joinery, and more.
10 guides · 11 subtopics
Joinery is how wood connects to wood. The joint you choose determines how strong the piece is, how long it lasts, and how it looks. A butt joint with screws holds a shelf. A mortise-and-tenon holds a chair for generations.
These guides teach joints from simplest to most complex, with the reasoning behind when to use each one. Every joint is shown with both hand tool and power tool methods where both exist.
Biscuit Joiner
A biscuit joiner cuts slots for oval biscuits that keep boards flush during glue-ups. Honest guide to biscuit sizes, technique, and which model to buy.
Biscuit Joints
Biscuit joints align boards during glue-up and reinforce miters. Sizes, spacing, four configurations, glue-up timing, and six troubleshooting fixes.
Cross Lap Joint
A cross lap joint notches two pieces to half their thickness so they interlock flush — no table saw needed. Step-by-step with a circular saw and chisels.
Crown Moulding Compound Miter
Master crown moulding compound miter cuts. Learn spring angles, flat vs. nested methods, exact angle tables, and how to cope inside corners like a pro.
Dado Cut: What It Is and How to Cut One
A dado cut is a cross-grain channel that holds shelf ends on three sides. Learn to size and cut one with a router, table saw, or circular saw.
Dado Joint With Table Saw: Setup and Technique
How to cut dado joints on a table saw using a dado stack. Setup sequence, dialing in width for undersized plywood, safety, and troubleshooting.
Dado Stacks
A dado stack cuts flat-bottomed grooves from 1/4" to 29/32" wide in one pass. Learn which size fits your saw, what to buy, and how to set one up.
Dovetail Jig
A dovetail jig guides your router to cut consistent joints. Compare two types, three budget tiers, and get your setup right the first time.
Dovetail Joints
Dovetail joints lock two boards with wedge-shaped tails and pins. Learn how they work, the five types, proportions, and when to choose another joint.
Miter Joints
Miter joints hide end grain for clean corners but are structurally weak. Learn the geometry, cutting methods, reinforcement options, and troubleshooting.