Learn the lock.
The five joints that hold a timber frame together — pulled apart so you can see how they hold.
Mortise & tenon
A squared tongue in a squared hole — the joint everything else is judged against.
the king jointDovetail
A flared tail that only pulls tighter the harder you tug.
drawers · chestsHalf lap
Two members notched to half depth, lapped flush and pegged through.
crossings · bracesScarf joint
Two beams spliced end-to-end along a long diagonal, pegged home.
long tiesDrawbore peg
A tapered oak peg that draws a tenon home and locks it forever.
the lock03
The joinery guide
Four joints, pulled apart so you can see how they hold.
Mortise & tenon
A squared tongue in a squared hole, pegged home. The joint everything else is judged against.
king of jointspullpeg
Dovetail
A flared tail that only binds tighter the harder you pull.
cornersshearno glue
Half lap
Two members notched to half depth, lapped flush and pegged.
crossingsflushpeg
Scarf joint
Two beams spliced along a long diagonal, keyed and pegged.
long tiessplicekey