How to Create a Half-Lap Joint

In situations where two pieces of wood need to be tightly connected at right angles (for example constructing a wooden gate) a half-lap joint is ideal. Here are a few tips to make an easy half-lap joint:

• Measure the width and thickness of the wood
• Mark a square line the same distance from the end of the board as the board is wide
• Use a circular saw, with the blade depth set at half the thickness of the board, to cut on that line
• Then make additional cuts every 1/8 inch or so out to the end of the board (this is the waste wood)
• Use a hammer to break out the bulk of the waste wood and a wood chisel to scrape out the rest and smooth out the cut
• When you have done this with both pieces of wood they can be overlapped to create a tight interlocking joint. Glue and screws will help hold the boards in place while the edges or shoulders of the joint support the weight