How to Make Wood Lap Joints
Woodworkers commonly use lap joints of various types in their woodworking projects. Lap joints are made in various styles for differing applications. The basic design requires two cuts of wood that overlap. Some variations include half-lap, center lap and lap miter and they are cut using a table saw or router. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Table saw or router
- Dado head blade
- Thickness planer
- Wood glue
- Safety eyewear
- Gloves
Instructions
-
-
1
Run all wood pieces through a thickness planer to ensure uniform thickness. Be aware that using wood with various thicknesses will not produce flush cuts.
-
2
Using a test piece of wood, adjust the blade of the saw to a height that cuts exactly through the halfway point of the piece. Repeat the process as many times as necessary to attain the correct setting.
-
-
3
Cut a test lap joint and fit the pieces together. Run your finger across the intersection of the joint to feel for any unevenness across the joint. Adjust the blade accordingly if the face of each piece is not flush.
-
4
Start cutting the lap joint pieces by passing the wood over the blade. Do this until the correct shoulder length is met.
-
5
Examine each cut joint piece removing any excess shavings or bumps. Pieces must be flush after cutting.
-
6
Apply wood glue to each joint piece. Then clamp the joint assembly together until the glue is dry.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Find an illustration of a lap joint in a carpentry magazine, website or trade journal.
Comments
-
I want to do a lap cut with a skill saw on 1x8s I was going to try to cut both peices at the same time with the blade tilted on a 45 degree angle.
-
did my homework
