Which Woodworking Joint SHOULD YOU USE?

After many requests, here is my method for choosing the most suitable woodworking joint for a certain task. Keep in mind that there are many paths to achieve the same destination in woodworking, this is no exception. What is important to understand is the consequences of choosing a certain joint over another.
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[@MattEstlea]

If you found this video useful, don't forget to press the *LIKE* button. It really helps me out! Like the look of the workbench? Watch me make it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fImuiqqDZctojbc&t

[@vasuhardeo1418]

great vid mate , i learned a lot , many thanks.

[@ronniemillsap]

This was awesome. Do you have a video to recommend on leading us through building a desk for computer? I feel like multiple joinery types are needed. Since it will be picked up, and moved side to side? thanks!

[@wesleyhendricks9375]

What about a halflap mitered joint? Cool tutorial btw😊

[@skeetorkiftwon]

Mitered bridal scarf joint with splines. Got it.

[@deedee5484]

Mmm

[@kondzik90]

I've seen a couple of videos testing the strength of different joints and surprisingly a miter joint happens to be one of the strongest one every time

[@torothomassen9581]

Agree, seen this more then once. I guess having a miter joint, and just slit in another contrasting wood strip would combine the strengh with looks.

[@TheEagle713]

From what I've learned the glue is almost always stronger than the wood so a well cut miter allows for excellent adhesion where as fitting joints don't always have as good of adhesion because glue is pushed out as they're assembled.

[@Solid_Jackson]

“I’ve seen a couple of videos” vs person with years of experience 🤮

[@EvLSpectre]

@@Solid_Jackson Even more videos out now with woodworkers testing joints. And all of them were surprised that the miter was coming out above dovetails and box joints. A rabbet actually ranks very high too. The trick is to also test the joint itself and not just rotating it. Because the forces applied are different when it's assembled compared to just two pieces of wood.

[@Solid_Jackson]

@@EvLSpectre I don’t disagree It’s just coming at it from the pov “I’ve seen some videos” is 🤮

[@jamesmaybury7452]

Thank you. As an engineer I think your understanding is excellent. I did my final degree paper on the joining of continuous fibre composites, wood is a lignin fibre in a cellulose matrix, so I did many experiments breaking wood joints and measuring loads and deflections. Three things I learned that aren’t immediately obvious. 1. Modern glues are much more relevant to the joint than the simple geometry, the glue line can fail by fatigue but total surface area is the most important aspect of glued joints and a simple, multiple combe joint can out perform a dovetail with less pins. (Also beware that dovetailing your lap joints reduces the cross sectional area of the wood at the critical point and will probably decrease strength in a key direction) 2. Compared to a continuous horizontal bit of timber, the same cross section joined into an upright and loaded vertically will fail at a fraction of the force. A standard shouldered mortise at a little over 10%! , not actually surprising as more than 2/3 of the wood has been cut away. Wood is much stronger than most people think but the joints are usually much weaker than the wood. I got the same basic arrangement up to about 80% by design and internal steel reinforcement (beware, most people overestimate the strength of steel compared to wood as I and my lecturers continually did, expecting the wood to fail first and the steel actually did). This later proved very useful when I designed and made clarsachs (Scottish small harps) which have a combined string tension equivalent to asking 7 people to stand on your recently made product. The head joint had two 200mm x 12mm stainless steel dowels epoxy glued with a simple but joint. Other makers used a lap joint which in that situation is much stronger than a mortice. 3. Joints can fail by the crushing of grain on one piece when the load causes the end grain of the other piece to push in. This became a common failure mode of the joint in my experiments above 25% of the wood’s full strength. Any way of bracing a corner or triangulating a structure can dramatically increase the strength or allow for a much lighter structure as it reduces the point load on the vertical component of a cantilevered joint. Joints are seldom loaded so heavily but on items like chairs the crushing of fibres around joints can often be part of the ‘loose joints’ failure mode. I’ve not experimented but I suspect “wood hardener” would help in such situations. I hope that is some useful understanding to add to your video. Much appreciated, thanks.

[@noelceballos8684]

You should start making videos explaining this in detail! I’d sub!

[@isaacbrooks5999]

@@noelceballos8684 I'll second that!

[@hmo983]

When you're done with your paper, please do make a video or two. Very interested; would sub in a heartbeat!

[@slaveNo-4028]

i second, thanks for this comment, very interesting!! (Although I found it hard to understand/imagine point 3, maybe also cuz english also isnt my first language. I really hope you will make a video or a visualization of this!)

[@cbinwindsor]

Agree on all fronts here. Particularly the kudos to Matt on another grate video.

[@frazzle657]

It's mental how good of a teacher he is especially considering he is quite young

[@davidmoye2354]

Once you get the hang of it and have the right kind of intuitive mind, you can imagine all the different stressors and think about the best joints

[@georgegorham1538]

Surprisingly, miter joints are extremely strong when you add glue. You would think that the end grain on a miter joint is weak, however just by simply cutting the wood at a 45 degree angle makes the glue bond almost, if not, as strong as if it were glued long to long grain. There are many videos on KZbin of woodworkers testing miter joint strength with surprising results.

[@daddy_ishyooz]

This is the most comprehensive yet concise joinery guide Ive ever seen.

[@bryankirk3567]

I am a mechanical engineer. You have trained me in basic wood working and given me a love for the whole idea of the strength that wood can supply. I thank you very much,

[@ajaychawla7735]

Dude, your explanation is so spot on. Using physics to explain the strength of a joint just made my day. I am just starting woodwork but am an engineer so just want to say thank you so much for making this. Now the woodworking world makes sense to me hahahhaha

[@ShinLeeChan]

What a great explanation! Finally I fully understand the meaning behind every choice. Amazing. Thanks a lot for this tutorial, very well edited and explained. 👍👍👍

[@LuLeBe]

The lap joint does have a significant strength advantage over just glueing endgrain together though, so while it has no strength on its own it drastically increases strength when glued. Because the glue doesn't get soaked up like it would with endgrain.

[@DimitriBianco]

The best video I have seen on the differences in joints. Thank you!

[@maxrothman3558]

I watch many woodworking videos from many "woodworkers" who are not the best "teachers". This video about Joints and when/where to use them - is EXCEPTIONAL! Thanks for the simple explanations and for your quick but effective teaching method! Well done!

[@amiddled]

Great comparison/explanation. I like this kind of thing other than strength tests you often see.

[@davidwiggins26]

I truly appreciate that the "Side Note" was shot from a SIDE camera angle! :) Keep up the great work!

[@beefknuckles]

Very nice. Love your straightforward style. Saved in my home improvement playlist for later use.

[@GeorgeMinton-jb8ky]

Great job. Thank you for your time and effort to produce this.

[@kirkendauhl6990]

You leave a question open ended enough to allow creativity and yet informative enough to teach us a lesson before we have to learn it the hard way. Thank you for that, it takes some real finesse to dance between that kind of line, some experienced teachers haven't even attempted to dance that line let alone become adept at it.

[@TheRedjinator]

Matt, been into wood working for about 2 years now and my subscription list is quite large but I found your explainations very well spoken and kept on point. Thank you for your efforts and I look forward to viewing more of your videos!

[@BrianThorstad]

What a fantastic presentation. Great knowledge, presentation, attitude and props. I'm sharing with my friends.

[@Realfoodfordudesajw]

Very informative, and you explain it in a way that makes sense. Especially for those of us who woodwork on the weekends, and learn by doing or watching videos. Well done.

[@dixie_rekd9601]

giving me flashbacks to my nvq years and years ago. although saying that its useful to know that a well glued and tightly fitting joint is often stronger than the wood its made from.

[@jwstanley2645]

Thank you for the video. There is a non-glued joint especially designed for the wooden frame onto which artists (picture painters) stretch their canvases. It is very difficult to explain in a few words, but people into wood joints might find it interesting. It is a hybrid between a four-layer bridal joint and a miter joint. Part of its purpose is that it can be enlarged later, when the canvas sags. To see one, look in the artists paint (oil colors, acrylic colors, canvas and stretchers) area of a craft store. They are called stretchers. They are so difficult this is the only application in which I have seen them.

[@angelicacastillo5464]

Great video. You're right; I've found people telling me which joints to use and saying the others are wrong. Thanks!

[@PatNetherlander]

Wonderfull explanatory video again Matt! Very educational and non-pushing. Like it a lot and will look @ my joints in a different way from now on!

[@ManojPawar]

This wasn't the first video i saw about joinery, but it is by far the best. You have my subscription Matt.

[@donlim772]

I’m having a marathon of your videos. I learning much! Thank you!

[@n8-cre8s95]

This was very good to watch Thanks for the useful info! Straight to the point and some good pointers about the stress and direction on those dovetails.

[@jhh243]

This is a great video and not just because of the well-crafted joints, but also because of your patient, logical, step-by-step instruction on the subject of strength vs. decorative, when and where to use each. You look young which gives me hope that you will continue creating these wonderful videos for years to come.

[@stephensargent362]

Nice job Matt; you are a gifted speaker. I enjoy your videos.

[@keegancurry2593]

That little frame made out of 4 joints is a great idea! I'm fairly new to woodworking, might make that my next project to get practice on each of those..

[@abrarsutube]

A good communicator with knowledge is a good teacher. Thank you.

[@donnabusque8572]

Thanks! This was exactly the information I was trying to find!

[@systematic101]

In the next couple of years I'm planning on making an 8 seat round dining table and this video gave me some new insight into joints. I was going to use mortise and tenon on the chairs and still am but I never considered the decorative use of a joint. Didn't even think of the downward force of the table legs when you lift it.

[@johnhernlund539]

I usually glue butt joints directly and follow up with dowels for reinforcement. It is fast, easy, strong, and I like the dowel pins showing on the outside. But I have to say that dovetails are quite pretty and a nice way to up my woodworking game.

[@Lejackal]

Great information as always Matt good work

[@mariah4451]

Wow. So much interesting and useful information given out there. You're my 'go-to' woodworking channel now - I've learnt sooooo much from your videos Matt, thanks :-)

[@joedance14]

Terrific job comparing the different types of joinery! Keep it up.

[@lionhead25]

Thanks ! As a newbie woodworker, i stumbled on your chanel an man i'm not disapointed ^^ I've watched like 1/4th of your video and i learned so much, i'll to practice before the next set of videos ^^

[@JessTheInvestor]

Thank you for a comprehensive coverage of different joinery

[@Fluffycakes84]

I would like to see you venture into Japanese/Chinese joinery.

[@aprildegele1510]

I find you to be the most comprehensively bound woodworkers. So much information from techniques for tool use to kinethestetics. SO much useful information with the how and why. Invaluable. For such a young man, you have the knowledge of much older workers. Your videos have been so technically and aesthetically valuable to me. What a brilliant woodworker! I can't imagine the beautiful things you make.

[@brentfrench752]

I’m brand new to woodworking and just stumbled across your channel. Based on this video, it clearly appears you are an excellent teacher, so I’m going to go and review your past videos which will hopefully give me some good guidance into woodworking. I’ve purchased most of the basic machines and tools I’ll need, so now I’m ready to learn. Thanks for this video…very informative.

[@elguarogozon1]

Great Matt! Thanks for sharing. Not sure if you have a different video about which joint to choose according to the use. For example for cabinet doors, table legs, chairs, table top, cabinet frame....

[@Thom4123]

Awesome information and really like what you said at the end. Take care my friend

[@kentgarcia8448]

Very informative. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@AverysMan1105]

Always very in depth teaching, love your advice.

[@Sayliss88]

Thanks for this video Matt. I held off on a project when I saw you mention this upcoming video on instagram, and I'm glad I did. Plenty of food for thought here! Great stuff.

[@MattEstlea]

Amazing! Hope it goes well for you!

[@alecfrancis2084]

As a new woodworker this is one of the best videos I’ve seen!

[@dustinburroughs5918]

His videos are great! I’ve been doing this as a hobby for 10 years and I still learn things from Matt’s videos. Very knowledgeable and also a great teacher.

[@lincolndickerson1293]

Fantastic presentation of the important parts of the craft. Thank you!

[@yinn2yang]

finally someone who explains this... i have been asking this question for year... even to my woodworking instructor who would only say it is a balance of strength and appearance... thank you very much...

[@vosifle]

Best tutorials on KZbin! Thank you!

[@lithiumjuiceartwork7091]

Thank you for all of this wonderful information, your presentation was amazing

[@lewismiller4868]

I simply believe that with this plan I can build award-winning woodworking projects [Check Details Here == *TopFineWoodworking. Com* ]. From what I have seen and works I have already done, I know that this is not a false claim. This is the best plan on the market today. I highly recommend it to any woodworker of any status.?

[@richardpatterson4312]

You should really watch Mathias' video on testing joints. You'll find you were mistaken in the first 5 minutes several times. Even Mathias we surprised by the weakness of a dovetail and the strength of a box joint.

[@OScarTheWhat]

Yeah the thing with those joints is when Dovetails were needed they didn't have access to wood glue. now we do have access to wood glue the mechanical strength of a dovetail is kinda moot because its not stronger than woodglue.

[@ric_cresc]

This is the best informative video I have watched as a beginner. Now I can use wood joint properly, Thank you !

[@hughatkins]

Excellent video with great explanations as usual, thanks!

[@MohammedNatheer]

That was helpful, thank you for the clear simple explanation

[@chetsthe1]

This was excellent for me! Many thanks Matt!

[@GadgetsandbikesGB]

Love you bro ! thanks for reinforcing my confidence, yes there are no rules , depends on application and common sense

[@ga5743]

That was one of the better explanation videos i have seen viewing KZbin, congratulations young man. Your education shines through on this one. Thank you

[@jemmaj2919]

Excellent video, i enjoyed this thoroughly, very helpful

[@kurtfattig9370]

Great presentation. You did a great job explaining why certain joints are commonly used - it's not arbitrary that doors use blind mortise and tenon joints. That lap dovetail joint is beautiful - the contrast of two different species - whether pronounced or subtle is just pure art.

[@micahdavidson7889]

First video I've seen of yours. Subbed quickly. Appreciate you and lookin forward to more content from you, Matt.

[@mikeevans1355]

great explanations and great workmanship on all those joints Thanks

[@fedup961]

Great video. Well spoken and very informative. Thank you

[@aaronsmith21]

Great video. Thanks for explaining these joints.

[@paultay23]

and breath ..... Loads of mega info there Matt... Cheers Paul

[@darylreiser3988]

I've worked with wood all my life. I'm 58 and like your woodworking style. Keep up the great video

[@Mulletmanalive]

I'm a complete heathen and have become much enamoured with the neat spots of through dowel joint made with sawn flush insert dowels. My joint of choice arm, especially on birch ply

[@maxor1986]

Great video. Very detailed and nicely explained.

[@donkeyhhhh1]

Thanks mate. This video is right on point. No bullshit, just the facts. I don't have a lot of knowledge about woodworking, but you go through the basics so that I can understand. And also make me feel confident to make my own decisions based on many other variables like what materials or tools I already have. Or if I'd like to experiment to learn. Knowing all these details gives me a lot faith on my ability to carry on.

[@laxpsdlimbu7912]

I found one of the best explanation and looking forward to see more technics..thanks

[@johnmah8877]

Great work. Very informative. Best on wood joinery. Thanks Matt.

[@edwinmiranda8174]

Ur lecture gave us a better understanding about the strength of joints. Excellent

[@ronroberts110]

A very useful video! I'm surprised nobody is talking about cross-drilling some of these joints, and driving through some dowels and glue.

[@cooper8d60]

Matt, so glad I found your channel, this is my second video from you tonight and I like your style and explanation of things, which for me just make sense. I have no training in woodwork but my mates who are trained are telling me I’m doing a great job with things I make, they just laugh because I don’t know or use the correct names of things. I have a project coming up, a new dinning table, big piece, centre piece for our home but I am confused with what joints to use for the legs and the connection of the table top to the frame, I will be using mortise and tenon for the cross supports on the frame, I know that much but I’m interested in your thoughts? If you can reply with your thoughts or names of joints I will have a look at them further. Thanks again, excellent content and I have been taught something again tonight. Keep up the great work mate!

[@aprildegele1510]

OMG! I should have watched further before my last post. I absolutely LOVE that you take a break to say there are no rules in woodworking. As an "also" artist, that's the mantra by which I teach art. I stopped taking official art classes in the 9th grade when I was told that how I was doing something was "wrong". Woodworking is very much the same as long as you take into consideration what you want to make and how much pressure/usage/weight it will take. So many options. Mix and match as necessary. I'm so glad to hear you say there are no hard and fast rules. It warms my heart as a multimedia artist.

[@anthroknight]

I've just started watching your videos, Matt, and have to say, they are superb. Thanks for taking the time and effort for making them and sharing them with us. So I'm about to build a guitar speaker cabinet using some hundred-year-old oak planks I have lying around. Basically it's a box with no front or back (in the initial construction), 51cmx46cmx30cm with 19mm wood thickness. The most common quality joints are finger/box joints. So if I understand you correctly, as there are no load-bearing sides as such, this would work, but dovetails would be both more attractive and more secure? On a 30cm joint edge, how would you calculate how many dovetails or fingers you need, and if it's dovetails, how do you determine the size of the pin and tail? Keep up the fantastic work, mate, and most importantly right now, stay safe and healthy!

[@mswoodcustomwoodwork]

Excellent as always Matt

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Matt that is something i had not thought of

[@SirFerrickWanderer]

Hey. Great video, learnt a lot about dovetails that i didn't before With door construction and the use of tenons. Mortice and tenon joints are unique in that you can cut into the tenon and hammer a wedge into it, locking it into place. So on most doors and windows, that's primarily what keeps it together. Bridal joints are actually much less strong for a couple of reasons. Because the tenon goes all the way to the edge, the joint and the glue is much more open to any temperature changes or water damage that the joint will face. So if it is exposed to any changes in temperature or any water damage it'll quickly warp and fall apart. Plus, if the joint is twisted at all, the timber is much more likely to split.

[@DocRonSnyder]

Great explanation and excellent video. First time seeing your video and it will not be the last.

[@mrrandomguy6101]

great video mate, keep up the good work.

[@leecanete8075]

Very Nice video. Well explained especially for beginners like me. Thanks Bro!

[@ruperthartop7202]

Great video Matt. Very useful. Cheers

[@gregritchie1758]

Presentation done well. Good luck.

[@kezzayo]

Like your work Matt, keep it real.

[@24SevenAviation]

Packed a of great info in 18 min. Nice video

[@chetusher444]

You are a very good teacher.

[@rizkymursyidanbaldan3773]

Thank you, a very informative that explain wood joinery in such detail.

[@stitchilalu]

that bench is so beautiful!

[@richnfamous59]

you're so right about there being 'no rules' (as long as it actually works and stays together). we should be prepared to break with tradition when it works (but biscuits and dominoes are IMO a step too far) as for dovetails: I like them but I'm increasingly using a Greene & Greene style pegged finger joint as it saves a lot of time - and is still decorative

[@feltonite]

Another option for a mitered corner of a box is a spline running lengthwise to the joint, which would be completely hidden from the sides.

[@velianlodestone1249]

Wow I love this content, but the moment I decided to subscribe was the moment you used the book to illustrate the joint for the bottom.. that book just fit so well and was extremely satisfying.

[@UGPepe]

2022 and the miter joint is actually one of the strongest joints there is

[@raysmith1992]

Some really good tips, thank you.

[@lukecarter-whittley3822]

Really well explained - a very helpful video, thanks

[@tonigarlu6997]

Cool stuff man, thank you!

[@rasmusrw8140]

What an informative and nice put-together video

[@armandomartinezramirez560]

Definitivamente voy a ver tus otros videos. ¡Saludos desde México!

[@dondonaldson1684]

Then add drawboring to mortise and tenons to make them even stronger! Brilliant video Matt!