{"id":2997,"date":"2022-06-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/?p=2997"},"modified":"2022-09-07T12:00:12","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T09:00:12","slug":"ultimate-guide-to-making-box-joints-beginner-friendly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/ultimate-guide-to-making-box-joints-beginner-friendly\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultimate Guide to Making Box Joints (Beginner Friendly)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Joinery is an important part of woodworking, which helps in conjoining pieces of wood. When it comes to the most basic form of joinery, the one thing that comes to mind is box joints. These are one form of finger joints that interlock together very simply. But even though a box joint is very basic, it still can be a tad bit difficult. Besides, to master the art of joinery you have to master all these basic joints first. So in this article, we will be giving you the ultimate guide to making box joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make box joints, you simply need to cut pins and sockets that are 90-degrees from each side. You can do this by hand using a handsaw and chisel. A router can also be used to cut out the pins and sockets using a jig. You can make a jig for a table saw as well and it will cut the pins and sockets for the box joint relatively easily.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Box joints are a type of finger joint that are pretty fun and easy to make. Any finger joint is the kind of joint that can interlock with each other like how fingers would. So in this regard even dovetails are a type of finger joint<\/a>, though more advanced. Box joints are easy to make with hand, router, and table saw compared to a dovetail. But precision is required to acquire 90-degrees on all sides and to cut the pins and sockets at equal lengths. Otherwise, they might be too tight to fit together or become too loose and not conjoin properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Make Box Joints by Hands (Step-by-Step guide)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To make a box joint by hand you will need a measuring square, marking gauge, dividers, paring or flathead chisel, hand saw or dovetail saw, fret saw, and a marking blade. With all of these items, you will be able to get perfect box joints by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1 – Measuring the Sockets and Pins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step for making any joint is to get the measurements right. So take your divider and mark out 4 to 6 partitions on the end grain side of the wood. The pins of the divider will dig in the end grain and give you a good idea of the measurements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now take your square and make sure that it is parallel to the wood, using your marking blade carve out a line where the divider dots were. Now you know where to place your dovetail or handsaw to start cutting. But to find out how deep we need to go, you will need your marking gauge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take your marking gauge and measure the thickness of the other plank that will interlock with the first one. Using the gauge, mark the first piece to find out how deep the saw will be cutting. Now you have perfect measurements of where to cut and how deep you need to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2 – Cutting Corner socket Using Handsaw<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cutting the first socket in the corner is easy and does not require a lot of tools to do so. With the marks that you have already made, start cutting using the saw of your choice. If you are not sure of your hand saw cutting skills, try to leave a little space between the mark and the saw while you cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3 – Paring and Filing of Excess<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The slight margin gives you enough freedom to then take a paring chisel and slightly carve off the wood exactly where the marks are giving you perfect 90-degrees. If the excess between the marks and cut is pretty narrow and you don\u2019t want to risk making it too loose with the chisel, just file it down using a wood file<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4 – Cutting Other Sockets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With the corner, you can cut the socket out with just the handsaw, but now that you have to cut one out from the middle, you will need a fret saw for the job. Now a fret saw can cut and rotate in tight corners, though depending on the type of wood you are using, it might make it hard for you to use one properly. First using a dovetail or handsaw, cut from the end grain vertically to the mark from the marking gauge. Now slide in your fretsaw and while you are moving in the cutting motion turn it sideways to cut off the piece for the socket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5 – Paring and Cleaning Other Slots<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once the slots in the middle are cut, you need to clean these and make sure they are exactly 90-degrees. To do that use a square to keep checking if you are at the right measurement or not. Use your paring chisels to make sure you are right at the marks and afterward using a file just clean it up enough if there is any excess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 6 – Replicating these Results in Another Board<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now use the board in which you have cut the sockets and pin to measure out where you need to cut the other board for replicating the results. But make sure to use the marking gauge, the square, and the divider again to make sure you are doing it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once done with 4 boards on each corner, you can then join these together into a frame that is held together by each other. You can always use glue to ensure that the joint sticks, once that holds it will be strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a detailed video on how you can make box joints using hand tools only: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=B6f-T2Xk8TU&t=965s<\/a>