Comments on: Rabbet Joint Strong Enough? – Viewer Question

By: thewoodwhisperer

thewoodwhisperer — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:44:56 +0000

I usually just buy them whenever I am at Rockler. No exotics, but nearly all the domestics are available in a range of sizes.

By: Jim Jones

Jim Jones — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:36:04 +0000

Hey Marc, how do you make the tiny round dowels out of contrasting wood?

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:30:36 +0000

yeah you do need 32 pieces skee. i made 4 extra pawns in case i lose some of the origionals. lol no, i didn’t even realize that i said 18. i meant 16. hey, i’m a woodworker, not a mathmatician. haha

By: cahudson42

cahudson42 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:35:27 +0000

Setting up the Lock Miter bit to get a perfect fit isn’t impossible. Take 2 scrap pieces of stock the exact same thickness, and the same as you will be using with your real stuff. Take a shot at centering the bit horizontally and vertically. Cut the two pieces horizontally (yes, horizontally) on the router table. Flip one piece over and join it horizontally with the other. When both pieces fit so there are no gaps and one is not higher than the other – you are done.
Save that last cut for the next time you setup – as a setup block for that same stock.

Here is a URL with some pics:
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/cmt-lm5.htm

By: Todd A. Clippinger

Todd A. Clippinger — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:10:38 +0000

I really like the locking rabbet joint. It is visually recognizable as a quality joint like dovetails and is really strong.

If you are having trouble cutting it for this project I can positively back Marc’s suggestion of using the pins or dowels to lock the simple rabbet joint securely together.

This allows you to make the simple version with added strength and an element of beauty that is recognized by all.

I am sure that as you gain in skill you will be able to cut the locking rabbet for a future project. Good luck!

By: Skee

Skee — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:14:49 +0000

Adam,

Completely off topic: Don’t you need 32 pieces to play chess? Trying to figure out how 18 comes up as a number?

On the woodworking question, short / small nails might be an reasonable option as well to add strength to the simple rabbet.

By: Claude Stewart

Claude Stewart — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:33:57 +0000

Hey Adam I’ve used the reinforced rabbit joint many times myself. Works great it’s easy and strong. It looks great with contrasting wood.

By: Gary Bell

Gary Bell — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:14:37 +0000

Adam,
I have used the dowel method that Marc suggests many times. It is super easy and you can make it with a saw and hand drill. He is right. It looks cool and it is strong.
If you are still interested in the locking rabbet joint however, there is a good video on how to make one at Finewoodworking.com.
Go to their page. Type in locking rabbet in the search bar. The video is by Bob Van Dyke.
Have Fun.