Joinery is simply how two pieces of wood are held together. Catalogues show dozens of joints, but a beginner can build sound furniture with five. This guide goes from the simplest to the most demanding, and explains where each one is a reasonable choice.
1. Butt joint
Two pieces meet end-to-edge or edge-to-edge with no interlocking. It is the easiest joint to cut and the weakest on its own, so it is usually reinforced with glue plus screws, dowels, or pocket screws. Good for quick boxes, frames, and shop fixtures.
2. Rabbet joint
A rabbet is a step cut along the edge of a board. Setting one board into the rabbet of another adds gluing surface and registers the parts squarely. Common in the backs of cabinets and simple drawer boxes.
3. Dado joint
A dado is a flat-bottomed channel cut across the grain; a shelf sits into it. It carries weight well, which is why it shows up in bookcases and cabinet carcasses.
4. Mortise and tenon
A tenon (a tongue) fits into a mortise (a matching hole). It is the traditional joint for tables, chairs, and doors because it resists twisting. It takes practice to cut by hand, but the layout is logical once you have done a few.
| Joint | Difficulty | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Butt | Easy | Boxes, jigs, frames |
| Rabbet | Easy | Cabinet backs, drawers |
| Dado | Moderate | Shelves, carcasses |
| Mortise & tenon | Harder | Tables, chairs, doors |
| Dovetail | Hardest | Drawer fronts, boxes |
5. Dovetail
Interlocking wedge-shaped pins and tails resist being pulled apart, which is why dovetails are prized for drawer fronts and fine boxes. They are the most demanding hand-cut joint here; treat your first attempts as practice on scrap.
Wood movement matters
Wood expands and contracts across its width as humidity changes. In Canada that swing is large between humid summers and dry, heated winters. Good joinery either allows for that movement or keeps parts small enough that it stays manageable. This is why solid-wood tabletops are attached with fittings that let them move rather than being glued rigidly to the frame.
Choose the simplest joint that is strong enough for the job, then practise the next one up on scrap.
For clear definitions and diagrams, the Wikipedia article on woodworking joints is a solid public reference.