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Making a lap joint...

Before making any joints I like to give the timber a pass through the jointer to make sure it is square. This improves the final result...

The first thing to do is mark the joints out. It's good to do this with either a sharp pencil or a knife and a square. Mark to the width of the mating piece of wood.
I set the marking gauge exactly HALF the thickness o fthe timber.
When set, score a line - if set correctly this line should be exactly half was across the wood.
I used a japanese fine toothed saw to cut the joint. This is ideal because of the narrow and ridgid blade. I used the score lines marked with the knife and marking gauge to keep my saw square and accurate.
Make several cuts, as this makes it easier to chisel.
When all the cuts are made the work should appear like this
Using a SHARP chisel remove all the excess wood.
I marked out the second piece, in a simular way to the first. I'm using the tablesaw this time round, you can't do this with a guard on. Please read our disclamer before doing this.
I made several passes. This is alot quicker and requires less skill to get accurate. (Note: This can still be done with a hand saw)
Again I used a sharp chisel to clean the joint up.
Here is the finished joint. It has many uses and can come and be used in many shapes and forms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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