Part 2 of my Joints question

[Shane Copps]

I posted a question a couple of days ago about the Kreg pocket jointer. What other joints do you folks use to build? I haven't played with dovetails or box joints? Can someone explain how to match them up and where they work? I also am thinking of working some dado type joints.

Making joints/corners are one of my weaknesses and is something I would like to get better at when I get my shop set up. (less than 90 days until I get my new shop!!!!!)

Again, I appreciate all the help you folks give me.
Shane

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Shane, thats a complicated question. I'd suggest looking at examples of whatever project you want to build, in books, museums, online, whatever, and figuring out how they did it. There really are no new problems in woodworking, humans have been doing it for so long, everything has been tried before.

[glenn bradley]

Pocket holes are very versatile in that you can more or less build complete kitchen cabinets with them and still use them here and there on finer furniture. They are great for adding additional cleats or stretchers that were not part of the original design as there is no wood joint fitted like a mortise and tenon, just mechanical fasteners added to a butt joint.

As to where one uses what joint and when, outside of the traditional locations for tradition's sake, this answer will differ with each person and even among the pieces that person makes. While there is a lot of free info on the web:
http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tips/techniques/joinery/
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/joinery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqXLYe783qw
I would seek out a book on joinery by an author you favor:
http://www.tauntonstore.com/joinery-017029.html
http://www.tauntonstore.com/router-joinery-077928.html
Most of all, use what works for you and try new things often. Have fun.

[Jim Rimmer]

Shane, thats a complicated question. I'd suggest looking at examples of whatever project you want to build, in books, museums, online, whatever, and figuring out how they did it. There really are no new problems in woodworking, humans have been doing it for so long, everything has been tried before.

+1 - I was just thinking back on the furniture I've built and which joints were used and I can't zero in on just one or two or even tell you why, at the time, I picked one over another. I've built frames with mortise and tenon, miters, dowels, butt joints and pocket holes screws. I've used dadoes, rabbets, dovetails, box joints and tongue and groove. Each joint has its application and sometimes more than one joint could be used for a given application.

Not trying to be a smart a**. It's just that you have asked the question that all woodworkers ponder on each project - Which joint is best to use here?

[John TenEyck]

You might benefit from getting a couple of books on furniture design/construction that explain which joints typically are used in each application.

John

[pat warner]

I use all sorts of connections. (http://patwarner.com/images/printer_stand1.jpg)
A heck of an art to know which, when and where.
Make a lot of practice stuff, learn how well they (your sample joints) stand stress.
A good homework assignment; nuthin' avails itself over nite.