Halving joints are simple and useful woodworking joints that are best suited for frameworks. They consist of two pieces of timber that joins together by cutting the full width of each part by half the depth, then overlapping. As any imperfections can be seen, attention to detail is required so your choice of tool is the key ingredient in the success or failure of the project. However, halving joints can be a tricky task that may require practise for some. Therefore, SMART have developed the Fine Tooth Blade, the perfect multi-tool accessory that turns a skilful task into a simple piece of work.
Designed for cutting wood, timber overlay flooring and plastics, the Japanese Tooth Blade is a firm favourite with most SMART tool users needing to cut timber. The fine toothing enables particularly clean and precise cuts compared to other blade types whilst the blade width allows for longer wider cutting such as trimming timber Available as a single, pack of 3 or 10 this blade is the ideal solution for those jobs where you can’t get a handsaw in.
1. Select the timber
Firstly, make sure you’ve selected a piece of timber that’s straight and as square cut as possible. If the timber has been stood upright and leant against a wall for a period of time, there’s a possibility it may have damaged, so you’ll need to check this.
2. Square off the end of the timber
For the purpose of our demonstration, we’ve created a corner halving joint. Using a timber square mark all around the end of your timber, using one edge as a reference point, about 5mm. Then chop off this section, ensuring your cut is square.
3. Mark your cuts
With your timber sitting flat on a workbench, measure and mark the measurement top and bottom that you took in the step above. Then mark a line between the two points. Make sure your marks are in the same place to ensure your line is completely square. Repeat this all the way around so that you end up with a line in the same place on all 4 sides.
Now, you need to mark the halfway line on the timber. Turn the timber over so that the face you’re going to use as the top is facing away from you. Measure the depth of the timber and simply halve this number. Mark this measurement on the end edge following from the line you created from the above step.
4. Cut the halving joint
Using the SMART Fine Tooth Blade, attach the blade to your multi-tool and ensure the timber is firmly secured to your workbench to prevent movement and sliding while cutting. Following along the line you’ve created, begin cutting the halving joint. When completed, repeat the above steps on the second piece of timber so that the two pieces fit together in a tight square.
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