Screws are one of the essential types of joinery used in woodworking. Apart from screws, there are a vast array of ways that you could use to join two pieces of wood.
If you are wondering how you could go about this, then worry no more.
This blog post will give you much-needed insights on how you could join two pieces of wood without screws.
Ways to join two wood peices without screws
Miter Joint or Angle Joint.
A miter or angle joint is one of how you could use to join two pieces of wood without the need for nails and screws.
Miter joint entails cutting two pieces of lumber on angles usually at 45 degrees and then attaching them.
Corners of door and picture frames are some of the examples of the miter joint.
Although a vast array of miter joints are made by cutting angles at 45 degrees, there are several other angles that can be used.
For instance, you could cut eight pieces of lumber at angles of 22.5 degrees to make an octagonal picture frame.
There are various woodworking tools that you could use to make miter joint cuts. However, it will be ideal if you used specialize woodworking power tools, including a miter saw.
To join two pieces of wood using miter joints, you will be required to have the two pieces of wood that you have cut at angles, brush, and premium wood glue.
First, generously apply the wood glue on the edges of the woods using a brush.
Please give it a few minutes to dry. When the glue has dried a bit, you will be required to apply another layer of glue on the miters.
Finally, you will have to use band clamps to join the pieces of wood as you let the wood glue completely dry.
Butt Joint
If you frequently work with trim, then there is a high possibility that you will encounter butt joints.
This type of joining wood entails butting together two pieces of wood.
It is one of the easiest and the basic ways to joining pieces of wood in your workshop.
However, one of the limitations of using this method is that it is not aesthetically pleasing and weak.
In instances where your butt joint assembly features interior surfaces, there are minimal chances to be visible.
In this situation, the most efficient way of joining them together is through glue blocks.
If you are not conversant with glue blocks, they are small wood blocks joined into place by glue.
This method of joining pieces of wood pieces together is often used inside MDF assemblies, including cabinets, armoires, dressers, and various compact woodworking applications.
First, you simply need to glue the blocks; after that, you are required to press them in place.
For extra strength, you may opt to compress them harder.
What is a Lap Joint?
This is another way that you could use to join two pieces of wood without screws.
It involves connecting two pieces of lumber by overlapping them.
The joints could either be partial laps or complete laps. The lap joints are used in joining a wide array of materials, including metal, plastic, and wood.
Lap joints are ideal for structural framing and are primarily used in transition and frame for cabinetry.
This method of joining woods can be compared to the butt joints; you are required to have a strong glue for the strong bonding of pieces of wood together.
When the adhesive or the glue has cured, you are required to have lap joints that are durable and strong.
Some of the shortcomings of this wood joinery method are that it tends to bring about lower tensile strength.
For aesthetic and mechanical reasons, the overlaps may be detrimental.
Additionally, cavity defects and micro-cracks may occur when the welding speed used is incorrect.
What is a Dovetail Joint?
This type of joinery does not require the use of nails and screws.
Instead, it requires interlocking wedge-shaped pieces that look the same way as the tail of a dove and very strong.
It is an impressive way of joining two pieces of lumber together.
This type of wood joinery is popularly used in drawer construction, lids, and wood boxes.
You are required to cut the wedge sockets and make them a single piece of lumber.
You are then needed to glue and clamp them with the tails that they correspond to.
Ideally, you can cut through the dovetails using a hand saw to simplify the whole process with a router and dovetail jig.
What are Mortise and Tenon Joint?
Mortise and Tenon joints are considered one of the oldest techniques used to join pieces of wood, and most commonly used is a vast array of ancient woodworking applications.
It is also much longer-lasting. The mortise is often used on the cavity.
On the other hand, the tenon is the pieces that snuggly fits into the mortise.
This type of joining two pieces of wood without screws requires a relatively high level of skills and expertise.
However, with the right woodworking tool, this process is very much easier.
Some of the tools that you could use include a band saw which is used to make a mortiser, and a tenon peg to cut the mortise.
The mortise and tenon type of wood joinery is used in a wide array of frame construction projects, from cabinet door to window frames fabrication.
One of the drawbacks associated with mortise and tenon is mostly in the quality of fabrication.
In situations where the proportions are not correct, the wood will tend to shear towards one side.
This makes it much challenging for woodworking beginners and DIYers to use the method.
Bottom Line
If you have been contemplating how you could use to joining two pieces of wood without screws, the above hacks and guidelines will be of much help.
However, it’s essential that you ensure that you adhere to the correct process to ensure the bond between the two pieces of wood is strong and durable.
