Woodwork Joints: How They Are Set Out, How Made and Where Used.

by William Fairham

[Fig. 100] shows a "Double tongued and grooved" joint used in the wholesale cabinet factories. It is preferred for the jointing of cabinet stock, and the amateur can make a similar joint by working two grooves and inserting loose tongues.

[Fig. 101] is the end view of a "Double-dovetailed, tongued and grooved" joint, and [Fig. 102] is a sketch of a similar joint having only one dovetailed tongue.

From a constructional point of view [Fig. 101] is far and away the best joint that has yet been produced. Unfortunately, however, there is not at the present time any hand tool that will economically produce it, owing probably to the fact that the joint is the subject of a patent. The dovetail tongue tapers slightly throughout its entire length, gripping the joint on the principle of the wedge and squeezing the glue into the pores of the wood.

Fig. 102.—Joint with Single Dovetail Tongue and Groove.

Fig. 103.—(A) Cross Tongue. (B) Feather Tongue.

Fig. 104.—Method of Secret-nailing Hardwood Flooring Boards.

Cabinet-work Joints.—With regard to tongued and grooved joints which apply more particularly to the jointing of cabinet work, [Fig. 93] is produced by planes which are specially made for the purpose. One plane makes the tongue and another the groove. The handiest sizes to buy are those which joint 3⁄8 in., 5⁄8 in., and 3⁄4 in. timber, it being usual to dowel or loose-tongue thicker boards. The 3⁄8 in. partitions (or, as they are sometimes called, dustboards) between the drawers of a sideboard or dressing chest are in good work jointed in this manner. The 5⁄8 in. and 3⁄4 in. ends and tops of pine or American whitewood dressing tables, wardrobes, etc., call for the larger sized plane.

Loose Tongues.—There are two methods of jointing with loose tongues, viz., the use of the cross tongue, [Fig. 103 A], and the use of the feather tongue, [Fig. 103 B]. Cross tongues are the stronger when glued in their position and can be used very much thinner than feather tongues. Feather tongues are cut diagonally across the grain as illustrated.