Wood processes

Addition/Fabrication Processes

Dovetail Joint

traditional wood jointing - used for drawer construction, jewellery boxes

• Interlocking wedge-shaped fingers (pins and tails)

• Mechanically locks without glue

• Resists pulling forces

Comb Joint

traditional wood jointing - used for picture frames, cabinet corners

• Rectangular interlocking fingers

• Increased glue surface area

• Easier to machine than dovetails

Housing Joint

traditional wood jointing - used for bookshelves, partition walls

• Groove cut to receive another component

• Full (through) or stopped (blind) variants

• Provides lateral support

Half-Lap Joint

traditional wood jointing - used for door frames, garden structures

• Half thickness removed from both pieces

• Maintains overall thickness

• Simple to construct

Dowel Joint

traditional wood jointing - used for flat-pack, furniture, chair frames

• Aligns components with wooden pegs

• Requires precise drilling

• Quick assembly with glue

Mortise and Tenon

traditional wood jointing - used for table/chair construction, timber framing

• Protruding tenon fits into square hole

• Often reinforced with wedges

• Strong structural connection

Knock Down (KD) Fittings

component jointing - used for flat-pack furniture, modular storage

• Allows disassembly/reassembly

• Includes cam locks and connector bolts

• Requires no glue

Wood Screws

component jointing - used for general construction, cabinet hardware

• Self-tapping thread cuts into timber

• Available in countersunk/rounded heads

• Removable fastening

Nuts and Bolts

component jointing - used for outdoor furniture, structural joints

• Adjustable tension with washers

• Hexagonal heads for spanner tightening

• Corrosion-resistant variants available

Coach Bolts

component jointing - used for gate hinges, heavy timber connections

• Dome head with square neck

• Locks into wood to prevent spinning

• Requires washer for distribution

Laminating

specific processes - used for curved furniture components, architectural features, skateboards

Advantages

• Can create strong, complex curved shapes

• Allows use of thinner wood layers

• Enables combination of different wood types

Disadvantages

• Time-consuming glueing/clamping process

• Requires precise moulds for shaping

• Material waste from cutting layers

Steam Bending

specific processes - used for chair frames, musical instruments, boat components

Advantages

• Maintains wood grain continuity

• No adhesives required

• Produces smooth, natural curves

Disadvantages

• Requires steam equipment setup

• Limited to certain wood species

• Risk of cracking if dried too quickly

Turning Between Centres

specific processes - used for table legs, balusters, tool handles

• Ideal for cylindrical components

• Good for long, slender work pieces

• Allows end-to-end machining

Disadvantages

• Limited to symmetrical shapes

• Requires skilled operator

• Not suitable for short work pieces

Chuck and Faceplate

specific processes - used for

• Lathe accessories used to securely hold work pieces during wood turning

• The chuck is a adjustable clamp with jaws that grips irregular or cylindrical pieces, while the face plate is a flat metal disc that screws onto the lathe spindle to mount flat or asymmetrical work

• Together they allow safe rotation of non-cylindrical shapes for machining operations like facing, boring and decorative turning

Milling

specific processes - used for furniture joints, decorative panels, wooden gears

Advantages

• Precise flat surfaces and slots

• Can create complex profiles

• Suitable for mass production

Disadvantages

• Expensive machinery

• Generates significant waste

• Requires skilled programming

Routering

specific processes - used for sign making, cabinet edges, decorative mouldings

Advantages

• Versatile for edge profiles

• Precise repeatable patterns

• Good for curved work

Disadvantages

• Risk of tear-out in some woods

• Dust extraction required

• Limited depth per pass