How to Cut Tongue and Groove Joints
Tongue and groove joints are made by cutting a thin groove in one board, and cutting a matching tongue in the other board. The two pieces should slide together to create a strong bond.
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Instructions
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Start with the two pieces of wood you want to join together. Mark one to receive the groove and one to receive the tongue.
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Set up your router saw with a set of tongue and groove router bits. The bits are matched to create perfectly-spaced cuts for your tongue and groove joints.
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Rip the groove down the center of the correct board using the smaller of the two router bits. Pay attention to the indexing lines on the bit to help you line the cut up so the groove runs down the center of the board.
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Clean the sawdust from your router before you make the next cut, to make sure the board is flat and the cut is accurate.
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Switch the router bits so the larger of the pair is in your router and cut the tongue section. It will be perfectly fitted to slide inside the groove you cut earlier. Move the wood slowly through the router, as you're cutting away more wood with this cut than you did with the first.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have a router, you can create tongue and groove joints using a table saw.
Always wear safety eye goggles when using a router to avoid serious eye injury.
Avoid using wood glue on tongue and groove joints, as the changing weather will cause the wood to swell and shrink. Since glue prevents the wood from moving, it can cause splinters.
