Half Lap - Easy & Accurate Table Saw Method

Half Lap - Easy & Accurate Table Saw Method

No measuring!

Great accuracy with minimal set up time.

Watch as I show you how to cut half lap joints on the table saw.

As with all machinery:
FOLLOW ALL SAFETY GUIDELINES. USE SOME COMMON SENSE.

[sethbrown]

Sir, you are a woodworking GOD!

This is so simple and easy to remember.

And all it depends on is raising the blade carefully.

Thank you, sir!

[dleivam]

brilliant... your video is the best and the easiest to follow and I've been watching a lot of videos about how to do a half lap joint. you deserve more views a likes. thank you.

[asbjrniden]

I have had some experiments making tiny little half laps on tiny frames on the router table, and this method of finding center made my day when all that measuring and drawing line stuff won't work, this always will, even down to 4 mm thickness that I have been doing half laps in, don't ask me why :D. Thanks for a method I am gonna use forever!

[paulwiles]

Very clever. you never stop learning things

[mogbaba]

Nice point and you have the most beautiful cross-cut sled.

[achumsum]

Mitch this will save me a lot of time, thanks!

[peggyt]

I was stunned to see your fingers so close to the blade.

[AndrewWilkersonAWC]

Good video. Thanks for taking the time to make it. Your sled looks nicer than mine.

[oceannavagator]

Good job my friend! I do the same thing using my router table. It has a much finer adjustment and the advantage of using a wider bit.

[sharit]

I'm late to the party here, but this is super useful to me, and easy to follow. Thanks for posting!

[toonybrain]

Easier still, you could draw a crisscross right on the end there: Start your line from one corner to the catty-corner on the opposite side. Start the second line from the next corner to its catty-corner on the opposite side. Where the two lines intersect - that's the middle, mate.

[JakeVbeck]

Nicely done!!  Thanks so much for the insight!!

[bobcolgan]

One thing as I watched your demo shocked me fingers are extremely close to a running saw blade. Not safe at all.  
Ideally, your fingers are somewhere above/behind that sled handhold, and the wood is held by a movable clamp. Thanks for the video. 

[srikaset]

A reckless one like myself could lose 2-3 fingers before having these nice halves - that's what I fear. Thanks anyway  for teaching me more than making half lap joints.

[larrykelley]

Hi Mitch I like the way you do the half lap joint..I am wanting to build a gun cabinet.the frame of the door is 1" inch thick by 4" inches wide and 72" inches long.the bottom and top pieces are 1" inch thick and 4" inches wide and 36" inches long. Do you think if I do the half lap on this and then drill 4 holes near the corners of the half lap then use walnut dowels it would be strong enough. I don't have a mortise and tenon jig. Or do you think I should do a loose tenon then do the 4 hole dowel thing thanks larry

[mitchwoodwork]

Nice one, thanks. Good point about priorities. I was thinking of people, like me, who often misplace their ruler - easier to loose that than the table saw!
As for the video request. Set me a challenge by telling me what tools I do have available, including setting out tools such as straight edges, dividers, compases, piece of string, etc. If you have a videocam/webcam/etc. make your request on film, and I'll include it in the video.
Happy woodworking, Mitch

[raysmith]

Thanks, fingers were a bit close, good video, was your riving knife in place.

[pctatc]

thanks for the tip.. keep em coming.  I liked it

[mrgrotey]

My blade has angled tips so wouldn't give a smooth surface. Wheres the best place (UK) to buy a 'flat-top' blade on a budget? Not really sure of the proper term for them.

[kicker]

How about instructions on building the jig itself!! Nice video!