Butt Joints Kingston
020 86051087
New Malden
Butt Joints
Here we take a look at one of the most common joints used in woodworking, the simple but versatile Butt Joint.
Butt Joints
Probably the easiest type of joint, the butt joint is simply two pieces of wood butted together and then fixed into place. The grain on the end of section that butts up against the side of the second section means that glue is not usually enough on its own to hold the two sections of wood in place. Because of this, additional fixings must be used to add support. The simplest way to do this is to drive nails in at a slight angle to help clamp the two sections together (Fig 1). This type of butt joint is fine for basic cabinet making or a temporary framework, but there are more sturdy and elegant ways to create a butt joint.
Dowel Reinforced Joints
If you have ever put a piece of flat pack furniture, you have probably seen a dowel reinforced butt joint. With flat pack furniture, the holes for the dowels are pre-drilled, but if you are making the joints yourself, you will need to drill them yourself. A device called a dowelling jig can help you in getting the holes accurately lined up (accuracy is essential with this type of joint). Drilling the holes slightly smaller than the diametre of the dowel you are using is important in getting a strong joint. Dowel reinforced joints can simply be glued, but you can also drive a screw in through one member and into the end of the ajoining member to further increase strength.
Biscuit Reinforced Joints
Not as common as the dowel reinforced joint, biscuit reinforced joints are more commonly found in cabinet making and frame making. The biscuit in the name is a small oval of treated and dried wood which fits into a corresponding slot cut into the area of the butt joint. Cutting the slots for the biscuit can be done with a special attachment for a router, but it is easier to use a tool called a biscuit joiner (these can be hired). Biscuit reinforced joints are becoming increasingly popular as they require less accuracy and create a very strong joint. When glue is applied to the biscuit and it is inserted into the rebate, the wood swells and increases the bond.
Screwed Joint
A very simple and strong type of butt joint. A screwed joint is often seen as less aesthetically pleasing than a dowel or biscuit joint, but with a bit of extra work, the screw heads can easily be hidden. The screws should be at least twice as long as the thickness of the member they are passing through. The screw holes can be countersunk to allow the screw heads to be sunk below the surface, or a counterbore can be used to create a deeper hole which can then be filled with a plug of wood or dowel. This can then be glued and sawn off flush to create an almost seamless finish.
Bracket or Plate Fixing
If the butt joint is going to be hidden from view, you can use a Right-angle or T-bracket to add strength to the joint (fig.2). These are thin, metal plates which are screwed into the wood and creat...