Half-lap joints are the joint I teach beginners first. Simple to cut, surprisingly strong, and you can make them with basic tools.
What’s the Deal
You remove half the thickness from each piece where they overlap. When they come together, the surfaces sit flush. Clean. Simple.
Works great for frames, face frames, simple furniture. Anywhere two pieces cross or meet at corners.
Laying It Out
Mark half the thickness on both pieces. Use a marking gauge if you have one – way more accurate than eyeballing with a ruler.
Width of the cut equals the width of the mating piece. Square your lines all the way around. Mark the waste clearly so you don’t cut the wrong side. Ask me how I know.
Cutting Options
Table saw with repeated passes works. Set blade height to half thickness, make a bunch of side-by-side cuts, clean up with a chisel.
Dado stack if you’ve got one. Way faster.
Router with a fence is clean and accurate.
Hand saw and chisel if you’re into that. Takes longer but honestly satisfying to do it the old way.
Getting It Right
Test fit dry first. Always. Should slide together with slight resistance. Too tight splits the wood when you add glue.
Pare with a sharp chisel to fine-tune the fit. Take your time here – this is where good joints happen.
Glue up with the surfaces perfectly flush. Clamp it. Walk away. Don’t touch it til it’s dry.
