Connection of intersecting boards and planks with a halved joint.

Most methods for joinery of wooden boards are designed to connect wood at the ends.
Not so with the halved joint, this method for joinery connects the planks somewehere halfway.
This halved joint method is equal to the divisions in cardboard boxes for wine bottles.
All parts can be taken apart when you take the grid out of the box.
Each panel, in this case with several slots, fits in its corresponding counterparts.

Half lap wood joint, cross lapped.
Wood joint half cross lap.

You make the halved joint by making a slot in the opposite edges of the parts that you want to join together.
Each slot goes exactly halfway into the wood.

You can give the construction extra strength with screws, though this is usually not required.
The connection does benefit from some wood glue applied to the connecting pieces.

Halved joints are easy to make.
The joinery is strong and it can be made with many different tools.
Apart from that it is a common method to divide drawers from kitchens into multiple compartments.

Methods and machinery to make a halved joint.

  • Make these wood joints with a hand saw and a chisel.
    The ancient method to make most wood joints requires a steady hand and sharp tools.
  • Use the circular saw in several passes.
    A table saw is quite ideal for this job, but you can also make these joints with a handheld circular saw.
    Then use a chisel to remove the blocks.
  • The dado set is ideal for this purpose.
    Use it to make multiple tongue and groove joints.
    In this case we use the dado set to make a single halved joint instead of a row of slots.
  • An electric router is handy for these woodjoints.

Other methods for woodworking, joinery examples.