How To CUT CROSSLAPS (In Thick Lumber)

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Crosslap joints allow you to bring two pieces of wood together on an even plane. This short video from The Honest Carpenter will show you how to cut crosslaps in thicker lumber like 4x4 posts!

Here's a link for the wedding arbor ebook mentioned in the video:

And, here's an article on The Honest Carpenter website detailing this crosslap joint process (including tool links):

Tool List:
Tape Measure
Circular Saw
1" Chisel
Speed Square

How-To Cut Crosslaps:

1) Lay out the position of your crosslaps on the two pieces of lumber you would like to join. (Use a tape measure and speed square to create one side of your crosslap layout, then a piece of stock to scribe your other side.)
2) Set the depth of your cut by finding the center line of your lumber stock on the adjacent face of the material. Set your circular saw depth to this mark.
3) Use a speed square as a guide for your circular saw sole plate--cut the "perimeters" of your crosslaps. Try to split your pencil lines up the center.
4) Begin making cut passes through the stock between the perimeter cuts. Space cuts about 1/8" apart.
5) Break out standing fillets with a large screwdriver.
6) Clean the floor of the crosslap with a 1" chisel (keep bevel up)
7) Test fit with a piece of stock
8) Lay out and cut second crosslap on second piece.

If you enjoyed the video, please be sure to hit like and subscribe!

Also, be sure to visit us at The Honest Carpenter website for more tips, articles and tool links:

[caamnasty]

Your style of instruction is exactly what I needed. Thanks for putting effort into helping others learn the trade.

[piinocchiio]

I like that trick you used to hold the skill saw straight while making a cut by using the speed square to guide it. Nice and easy trick to know as a homeowner.

[briancarroll]

Thanks, I knew I could find someone who could explain this easily with great examples.

[carlb]

Awesome. As usual. I did it a harder way today. I've got 3 more to do tomorrow. Your way was easier.

[brucel.stanton]

This is great! I had this idea for a desk I'm building but didn't know if it would be possible with just a circular saw. Nice to know that it can be done. Thanks man! 👍💪

[craftyshed]

Thank you. Great video. I cut these notches similar way, only for final cleaning I am using horse rasp/file. It works very well on softwood.

[edover]

Great video Ethan. I think everyone wants to figure out a way to clean those edges up without using a chisel, but you showed us how. Thank you

[donaldhudson]

Well done. Succinct; informative; easy to understand.

[richhemmings]

Ace. I need to make a tonne of cuts for a new workbench and I was thinking how best to fence my saw - speed square is so obvious now you're shown it! Thanks

[-xn]

AWESOME! I have no experience and this has been the clearest, most concise tutorial I've seen. You are an excellent teacher! I'm feeling creative during this corona lockdown. Thanks so much for posting this. All the best to you and your family and stay safe!

[PecosNM]

I always learn something from your videos. Thank you.

[ckeller]

Great explanation of the simple technique. Looks great.

[jeremylow]

Great video and very instructional. To make the identical cuts faster, you could have clamped 2-4 pieces together and just pass the saw through them.

[corygardner]

What do you call it when you cut both sides to where you’re able to stack 2x4s on top of each other at the cross joints like Lincoln logs? The closest on YouTube I’ve been able to find are dovetail cross joints. I want to do something like that but simpler. I don’t have the tools or the mathematical “smarts“ to do dovetails.

[catherinewood]

very interested in how timber frame houses are built. Can you do a video on the framing for those kinds of buildings?

[classenschristopher]

i want to make a indoor bench like this (legs) . However is this method exact enough for a really seamless result?

[pto]

Good instruction. Thanks for your videos.

[joschmo]

Min 2:32, can’t tell what you said about your second perimeter cut. It sounded like “split your pencil mark right up the middle”. Is that what you said?

[dbradwell]

Thanks for the tips and really helpful video!

[MinHongJiwoodstudio]

made a watching your video. Thank you for being an inspiration to me