A key joint occurs when the wooden key is inserted and glued into a groove or channel cut into another timber joint, usually a butt joint, edge joint or glue joint.
The gap serves to reinforce the seam and keep both parts at the same level. This small improvement gives a significant strength to each compound to which it is applied.
The slot itself may be made of plywood, hardwood or the same material as the joint to be reinforced. In order to achieve the final firmness, the natural texture of the wood must be aligned so that it passes through the joint of the chamber.
The keyways must never be pressed into the grooves, as this can lead to deformation or cracking. Instead, they should glide easily, but without side clearance, so that there is enough space for the adhesive to ensure a strong joint.
The width of the slot, when used between the two plates, whether mitre or edge joint, must be slightly less than the width of the two slots to ensure complete closure of the joint.
Mitrospline
The mitre joint is perfect for reinforcing frames, mirrors and even end frames of cabinets using recessed corners. In small decorative boxes you can use contrasting coloured flutes with glued corners for visual effects and stapling.
Bookmark between the tabs.
Keyhole – wedge-shaped groove in the corner. Slit in the groove, cut out in the corner.
The two types of ribbed mitres mentioned above can be equipped with a table saw or a grooving router table. A simple click is all it takes to saw the slots on the saw table, while a slot milling cutter can be used with the milling table.
Normally the flutes do not make up more than a third of the total thickness of the blanks. It is best to make an oversized slot and then cut and level the sand when the glue has dried. Dry running before bonding is also recommended.
The mitred sapwood joints look good when using contrasting wood colours. The light colour of the sapwood embedded in the dark wood will attract attention and underline the connection. Grooved ebony or ebony walnut does the same with light wood.
Extreme lock
Edge slots are often used to produce larger panels from multiple narrower panels. Although the edge joint is already strong enough by bonding long grains over long surfaces, the slots provide extra support and smooth the joint.
Final slot with two cards.
The most common toothed edge seal has a groove and teeth along the entire length of the boards. The groove is visible when the connection is visible at the ends.
If appearance is not important, plywood is an excellent choice. If appearance is important, the solid wood groove can be made to match or contrast with the wood.
The groove of the stop edge is similar to the seam of the stop edge in that the groove ends just before the end of the panel, but in this case at both ends.
Clear view by stopping the slot.
Mainly used for hardwood tabletops and other beautiful furniture where the master wants extra power from the spline, but without its visibility.
Although it is possible to saw a groove on a table saw, it is probably easier and less time consuming to saw it on a grooving router table.
Slot bends can be cut at right angles to adjust the keyway, or the ends of the keyway can be rounded using the grinder. The plywood groove can be used without affecting the appearance of the seam.
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