Joinery Shootout
We push 18 popular frame joints to the breaking point
Synopsis: When designing a piece of furniture, how do you decide on the joinery? Chances are aesthetics, efficiency, and available tools factor into the decision. But so does strength. Fine Woodworking teamed up with a group of research engineers to test 18 popular frame joints and see which is strongest. We made five sets each of 18 different types of joints in cherry, a species used often by furniture makers. The samples were placed in a servo-hydraulic materials testing machine–essentially a hydraulic ram hooked up to a computer to record force and movement–and broken. Which ones were sturdiest? The results will surprise you.
Learn more about our testing in this short video.
From Fine Woodworking #203
When it comes to making furniture, woodworkers typically base their joinery preferences on aesthetics, efficiency, and available tools. However, joint strength also is a primary concern; after all, we want our furniture to last generations,…
Start your 14-day FREE trial to continue reading this story.
Plus, access more than 1,900 in-depth articles and more when you become a member.
Start Your Free Trial NowAlready a member? Log In
Comments
"A BETTER WAY TO SPLINE A MITER", shown on bottom of page 38, is my preferred method because it it is quick, strong, and attractive for picture frames and kitchen cabinets (see photo). If you had included this joint in your testing it would likely be the strongest joint due to large glue area. Perhaps you can test and add as an addendum to this excellent article.
“[Deleted]”
As actual as ever these days when half the internet seems to think the butt joint or even end-to-end grain joint is the strongest of them all....
Log in or become a member to post a comment.
Sign up Log in