Wood assembly without nails or screws

In woodworking, wood assembly by traditional means without nails or screws yields a more natural, attractive and professional finish.

The joining method is chosen according to available tools, knowledge, habits and project, although the same method may be used for various types of projects.

Here are a few of the most popular joining methods.
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Tenon and mortise joint
Dowel joint
Dovetail joint
Lap-joints
Biscuit joint
Tongue and groove joint
Rail and stile joint
To strengthen joints

Tenon and mortise joint

A mortise is a cut made to a stud (female part), whereas a tenon is a part that projects on the end of a rail (male part) and is inserted in the cut.

It is possible to insert the rail directly in the mortise (i.e., without giving the rail any particular shape), but usually the rail is sculpted to give it shoulders. The latter are surfaces located on 1, 2, 3 or 4 sides of the tenon, to prevent the latter from pushing in beyond a certain depth, and to stabilize the joint while hiding the contours of the mortise.

To provide maximum hold, the tenon may completely pass through the stud, but the end of the tenon will then be apparent, which may be unattractive for some furniture. For an invisible joint, the mortise will not be drilled completely through the stud, to hide the end of the tenon (blind tenon).

Popular among cabinetmakers for joining parts of equal thickness when making furniture.

Dowel joint

This type of joint consists of drilling holes in each part to be joined, and then inserting dowels, which are thus the link between the two parts. Prefabricated dowels come in various sizes (e.g.: diameters of ½ in., ¼ in.) and have grooves allowing excess glue to come out.

The dowels can also be made by cutting pieces of twigs; their lengths and diameters are more varied than those of prefabricated dowels, and can thus meet specific needs. These dowels will not have grooves, but it’s easy to trace grooves oneself.

By its simplicity and principle, this type of joint can apply to various jobs: assembling boxes, drawers, furniture, frames…

Dovetail joint

The dovetail joint is made by securing, on one part, trapezoid tenons to be inserted in grooves of the same shape on the other part, so that dove tail-shaped ends show on the latter – hence the name. This type of joint provides great strength when the parts are submitted to tractions.

Frequently used for joining large parts submitted to tractions; typical for making drawers and boxes.
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