There are many reasons why you might need to join wooden blocks, such as when one joist isn't long enough, or if two blocks meet at the top of a post. There are a variety of ways to make joints using proven carpentry methods. This question-and-answer article provides useful information so you can connect wooden blocks in several different ways.
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Method 1 of 5: How to join 2 blocks?
Step 1. Connect the beams with bolts using a wooden connector in the middle
Glue the two ends of the beams overlapping about 30 cm or so long, then drill a hole with a 12 mm drill bit through the two blocks of wood in the middle of the overlap. Insert an M12-sized bolt with a washer into the hole in one of the joists, then insert a tapered connector on the end of the bolt between the two joists. Push the bolt into the hole in the other beam, then place the washer and nut on the end. Tighten the nut with a wrench.
- Wooden connectors are hoops with sharp serrations around them that point in opposite directions. The teeth will grip the two blocks so they don't move.
- This is a good option if you want to connect the beams that are under the floor or deck because the beams are not visible.
- The result is 1 long block that is not straight because the ends are not joined together, but stacked.
Method 2 of 5: How to join 2 beams on a post?
Step 1. Secure the beams using metal brackets
Use a beam bracket that matches the width of the post and the combined thickness of the 2 wooden beams. Place the bracket on the top of the post and insert wood screws or nails into the holes on the side of the bracket into the post. Place the two beams into the top of the bracket, side by side, then insert screws or nails through the sides of the bracket until they fit into the beam.
- For example, if you are connecting 2 beams with a thickness of 5 cm to a post measuring 13 x 13 cm, use brackets that are 10 cm wide on one side and 13 cm wide on the other.
- This is a great option if you only want to use store-bought hardware and not make additional cuts or measurements.
- The end result of this connection is a post with metal brackets on it to hold the beam from sliding on the top center of the pile.
Step 2. Insert the two blocks into the notches made at the top of the posts, then secure them with bolts
Make a notch (a hollow or notch) in the top of the post using a circular saw to a depth equal to the thickness of the combined 2 beams. Insert the two blocks into the notches side by side, and use a drill to make 2 1.5 cm holes, to the right and left of the center of the joist and diagonally parallel to each other, through both the joist and the post. Insert a carriage bolt measuring 1.5 cm and equipped with washers into each hole, then install the washers and nuts at the ends. Tighten the nut with a wrench.
- For example, if you are using a 5 x 15 cm block, make a notch that is 15 cm high and 5 cm deep.
- This is a good option if you don't have any factory hardware or you want the beams to be the same height as the posts.
- The end result is a beam that is installed parallel to the sides and top of the pile.
- Don't just screw the bolts into the joists on the sides of the posts without making notches because the downward pressure from the load on them can cause the beams to shift.
Method 3 of 5: What is the strongest wood beam connection?
Step 1. The strongest joints in carpentry are the mortise and tenon method
To apply this connection, make a cavity of the thickness of the log with a depth of of the thickness of the beam. At the other end of the beam, make a peg that is the same width and length as the void at the end of the first beam. Next grease the dowels with wood glue and insert them into the cavity. Clamp the joints of the wooden blocks with clamps until the glue dries.
- There are several ways to make mortises and tenons using hand and/or power tools. For example, you can use a router machine with a spiral drill bit to make the mortise or cavities, and a table saw and jigsaw to make the tenons or dowels.
- This joint is very suitable for use on wood that is outside and visible to the eye because it is very beautiful and there is no visible hardware.
- A mortise and tenon joint can be used to join two ends of wood or 2 pieces of wood in a 90 degree position.
- This joint looks like 2 blocks of wood with only the two ends glued together.
Method 4 of 5: How to join 2 ends of wood?
Step 1. Connect the wood using the half lap joint
Make a notch half the thickness of the block, and the same length at each end of the block. Use a table saw or circular saw to make these notches. Apply wood glue to the notches, then hold the two blocks of wood together like a puzzle, and clamp them together until the glue dries.
- This is a good option if you have 2 blocks of wood that you want to combine into one long, smooth log because the joints are less visible.
- With this connection, it's as if you only have 1 long log because the joints are even.
- The length of the notch is up to you. However, the longer the notch is attached, the stronger the half lap joint is.
- For added strength, you can also attach bolts that go through both beams. This option is very suitable to be applied to beams that are used to withstand heavy loads.
- There are several other types of joints for joining 2 ends of a block of wood together, but they are not as strong as a half lap joint. This means that other joints are more suitable for use in other woodworking projects and are not suitable for joining logs.
Method 5 of 5: How to join wooden blocks in a 90 degree angle?
Step 1. Use a miter connection
Cut the ends of the 2 wooden blocks at a 45 degree angle in opposite directions using a miter saw. Apply glue to both slanted slices and secure them firmly with clamps. Screw in wood screws or nails so that they penetrate both pieces of the block from both sides of the 45-degree joint. The nails will penetrate into each of the beveled pieces of wood where they are joined.
- Miter joints (oblique cuts) are more suitable for joining structural wood (eg beams) together, rather than using a flat connection technique at both ends of the beam (because it is not very strong).
- This joint is perfect if you want to join the wood in a 90 degree angle neatly and firmly. This method is also easier to make than mortise and tenon joints.
- The resulting joints look like corners on a wooden photo frame.
