A notched joint (Dutch: keepverbinding) is a wood joint in which a notch — a housing cut across the grain — is made in one member, into which the other member drops. The notch has the shape and thickness of the part it receives, so the members interlock tightly.
How it works
The notched joint is one of the simplest traditional joints and can be made by hand or by machine. Because the wood sits in a housing, the joint resists sliding far better than simply nailing pieces together:
- The cheeks of the notch take up sideways forces.
- The contact area is larger, giving a strong bond when glued.
- The parts automatically sit square and in the right place.
Application
- Crossing rails — for example in a frame or a header.
- Corner joints — the well-known half-lap notched joint, in which half the thickness is removed from both members.
- Scaffold and garden timber — quick to make and strong enough for light structures.
Variants and points to watch
- Half-lap notched joint — resembles a straight lap joint but is used mainly as a corner joint.
- Concealed notch — the notch is not visible from the outside.
- Reinforce with glue, screws or nails; leave it unglued for demountable structures.
- Saw tight and pare to fit for a clean connection.
Related terms
- Notched piece
- Wood joints
- Mortise and tenon joint
- Dowel
- Timber
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