Butt joint

A butt joint is one of the most common of woodworking joints but it is also one of the weakest, here we show you how to make a simple butt joint.

[mikecollins]

In my experience, I found it best to drill pilot holes when using screws of that size to prevent the wood from splitting especially when you're that close to the end of the piece of wood.

[ianbroom]

Brilliant video. Just about to make a mesh gate for a kennel. This is perfect. The mesh will strength to it ..
Cheers

[whoopseedaisy]

Thank you. I had no idea what a butt joint was and I am planning to build a simple shelf.

[bendejo]

To those who are questioning why he isn't drilling pilot holes:
Looks like he's using pine, which is really soft and isn't prone to splitting. I never drill pilot holes when using butt-joints with pine 2x4's (which I typically will use for simple frames or framework.) Now...when I use Maple or Oak, you bet your a** I'm drilling pilot holes.

[pegjones]

Trying to make a door frame over the top my cattio door, this was very helpful, thank you. Handy man daughter didnt think the cats would climb the screen door to escape, but they are smart cats...but not smart enough to realize the cyotees raccoons and cougars will eat them if they escape!

[billysmart]

Another fantastic video. Maybe do one about which method of butt jointing is strongest? Show us at which point each fails?

[pershop]

Thanks, I rarely used wood glue, which shows how amateurish I am (or that my projects are really small) but now I can see the benefit of it when doing this kind of butt joint connection.

[dandyer]

Just to add you can always use 90° angle brackets if all out strengh is needed and doesnt need to look pretty

[PoloABD]

I’ve experimented with destruction tests on lots of joints..

For practical purposes the only joint I have found to be stronger than a butt joint glue+screw is a single rebate joint glue+screw. Possibly a double rebate.

With finger joints, for example, the joint itself is unbreakable, but it snaps around the base of the fingers. Same with dovetail. These joints are mostly decorative, if you ask me.

[anyxml]

Just finished my first project using butt joints. I wish I knew about this super glue! Thanks for sharing.

[craigtowell]

Cheers for that... will get down to screwfix for some of that glue... gotta love all the 'no nonsense' stuff they do

[flybabyjessica]

Thanks so much for this. Running out to pick up that glue today!!!

[richardkandalec]

ALWAYS pre-drill a hole in the outer piece to prevent splitting.

[pershop]

Good idea on how to hold the wood pieces together for a the screws.

I always have some trouble on that.

[RaicoRosenberg]

Its always good practice to drill pilot holes in prior

[noisepuppet]

Those are monster construction screws. They cost 40-some cents apiece American. I like them.

Screws into endgrain are relatively weak. An alternative is pocket hole screws. These allow you to screw into the face grain of the adjoining piece, so that the threads hold better, and you can use smaller screws, and you can often hide them. (I figure you know this. Am just adding for the benefit of the audience.)

[windyourneckin]

Thanks for the reply really helpful tips cheers

[Rettasax]

hello handyman you just saved me a lot of work I make photos and some clocks using resin . and some time I use frames so again Thanks for your share ...Loretta

[quabledistocficklepo]

Thanks for the demonstration. I was't quite sure about the plans I had for securing a butt join, but you have shown that they will work. Now I can start the job knowing that I will be successful. I hadn't thought of it before, but watching a video can be as good as actually having the experience. It can be better, because you can start job knowing that you will be successful. Sadly, that sometimes doesn't happen in real life. I might add that I agree with the post beneath mine saying that it's wise to drill pilot holes before using screws of that size. Screws DO sometimes split boards..

[nrgdigital-garywilkie]

Did he say “biscuit”. Would have liked to see the biscuit make an appearance.