Some tools can be used to cut half laps, but a favorite is to use a stacked dado set on a radial arm saw. Set it to roughly half the thickness of the board. Dry fit the two boards together to be sure you have a snug fit and the boards create a flat surface. The key is to make a custom spacer that is the exact same thickness as your table saw blade. Get the latest updates about new courses, special trainings, resources, and more. When youre done, you should be able to overlap the two milled ends and create a perfectly flat, uniform joint. make the first cut.7. Try to fit the spacer into the sandwich (spoiler: it likely wont fit). Its rather clunky-looking, as they are simply two boards overlapping each other. Establishing the angled shoulder is the only difference when learning how to cut a mitered joint versus a standard design. painting wood with existing engraving logo. A half lap joint miter saw cut eliminates the need for a tool guide. :/. Once you remove the wood with a chisel, you can clean up the face with a file, sandpaper, and even a small block plane. :), Great tip! Next make random passes inside those lines at The cut for the second board will need to be the depth of what you DIDNT cut from the first board. The half-lap joint is versatile and super strong. Remove the crosscut sled, and raise your saw blade. Thanks for sharing your work in developing this method. For a 24, youll make it at -inch. I wish I would have seen this years ago. There are plenty of ways to join two pieces of wood together. Check out the Pretty Handy Girls How to Use a Miter Saw tutorial to get you all caught up! Here, we show how to make corner- and T-joints with a tablesaw, but you easily can adapt these techniques to your radial-arm saw or router table. Plus, practice them regularly to understand the joinery better. Also, the lapped section resembles a V or birds tail (hence the name). To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. I started with a buffet table plan from the fabulous Ana-white and quickly set out to remodel my entire home office. This is simple. Put it all together then paint. Use the pieces your want to join as templates to mark each other, then cut inside the lines with a handsaw almost to the halfway point. Classes include professionally produced videos taught by practicing craftspeople, and supplementary downloads like quizzes, blueprints, and other materials to help you master the skills. Unfinished garage becomes a woodworking haven. Thank you so much for sharing! Then, butt the other end of the stock against the remaining stop, and make another cut. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel for more DIY video content. It can also be used to join pieces of different lengths together at 90 degrees. Dovetail jig will help you to create your joints easily. Lap joints can be used for joining two pieces together end-to-end or edge-to-edge; they can also be mitered or dovetail shapes depending on how much strength is needed. If you Even if you already know how to make a half lap joint with your table saw, testing with scrap wood will allow you to get a snug fit with your workpieces. Two cuts are required here. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You could also do the same joint with a router, gradually increasing the depth until the joint fits flush. Apply downward pressure to the joint and allow the glue to dry. This is also know as a corner joint. Perfect for anyone with a small space but large crafting ambitions! on Introduction. The glue will be the strength of the joint, but the screws are necessary to hold it until the glue dries. You'll also find more projects on my website at diymontreal.com projects like: Did you make this project? Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. What other ways do people join wood boards together? Halving lap joints are used extensively in transition and cabinetry for framing. A half-lap wood joint is made by cutting away half of the thickness of two pieces of the same dimension, allowing them to overlap and form a right angle without adding additional height or act as a splice to extend length. I've made half-lap joints on pressure-treated lumber on 4" x 4" stock using a circular saw. Put simply, a half-lap joint is a joint between two boards that are halved together so that a flush surface results. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Tip The best half lap joint router bits you select will leave a smooth face that requires only a bit of fine sanding. Question It allows you to avoid cutting grooves deeper than your desired depth, a common mistake when making a lap joint with circular saw. They mistakenly believe it is a weak joint that serves no purpose beyond picture frames. When was the term directory replaced by folder? A half lap joint is where two pieces of stock, which are typicallythe same thickness, have half of the material removed so that the two boards fit together so that the joint adds no thickness at the joint. Essentially, its a half-lap joint that occurs in the middle of one or two of the boards, rather than at the ends. The half-lap joint is a kind of lap joint where one piece of wood is overlapping the other. My love for building came after our family built our current home in 2015. The method most woodworkers use when learning how to make a half lap joint with traditional hand tools is the saw and chisel method. Clean-up is required when learning how to make a half lap joint that fits together snuggly. Have a few more joints to do, but it is coming out pretty well, or at least good enough for a bench in the garden. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Thanks! 4. With your crosscut sled in place, slowly raise the blade until it creeps up close to the line, but still beneath it. It’s better to progre Copyright 2020 Woodworking Hobby Shop. The cuts should look similar to a comb, with the remaining wood being the teeth. Once you make a pass across the half lap joint with router bits, you will reposition the piece for another swipe. 2. Turn on the saw, hold the workpiece firmly against the auxiliary fence, and pass the workpiece over the dado set. Once you have a cut every quarter inch between the edges of the joint, use a hammer to knock out the thin pieces of stock that remain. Between being a wife, mom, and registered nurse, I try to make as much time for DIY as possible. Many blades are 1/8 so you could easily use some 1/8 plywood. Each has a specific strength and cabinetmakers will choose which to use according to the needs of the project. I set the depth of cut to half the thickness and made several passes about 1/4" apart. While you can certainly measure the thickness and divide by half, this can sometimes be impractical and lead to slight error. Toggle some bits and get an actual square. Let Mother Nature be your co-designer as you build dazzling projects with wavy edges, bristly burrs, bark inclusions, and other flaws that give wood a look of unrefined beauty. Router tables and table saws with dado blades provide the cleanest joints, but you can make a half-lap joint with a hand saw, a chisel, and some extra clean-up. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. This is what masking tape is for. Otherwise I have seen people make them with a miter saw but not sure how accurate that would be. What does mean in the context of cookery? Trace a line from the top and then switch to the bottom. Fit the angled edges of one piece into the opposing angled edges of the other and secure them together by using glue, nails or screws. If you buy through the links on our site, we may earn a commission. In this section, we will take a look at how to cut lap joints by hand. pull back the sled to get the blade out of the way3. Set the circ saw to the correct depth, use a speed sqaure as a guide and cut the two outer lines. How would I cut a half lap in a stick longer than my table saw? How to Use Flour to Keep Pests Off Plants, https://todayshomeowner.com/team/joe-truini/, Best in Show: Our Top 5 Home Makeovers of 2022, Sustainable Living: 5 Changes You Can Make Now at Home, This Peel-and-Stick Backsplash is a DIY Dream Come True, 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Pouring a Concrete Slab, 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. When they overlap, theyre 1 -inches thick, meaning the joint is the same thickness as the rest of the board. If you cut exactly halfway through the first board then you will not have to do any adjustments for this step and you can cut the second board exactly as you cut the first. Updated On May 2022. Apply glue to both lap joints in each board and fit them together. Find a small piece of wood, like a 1x2. A mobile guide that you can clamp lets you safely make a lap joint with circular saw. You have expanded your talents and created a very strong half-lap joint for your next project. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. We prefer to use a dado set for fast and smooth results. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Flip the depth lock loose and adjust the saws depth of cut so the very furthest tooth from the saws base just kisses the mark indicating half the thickness of the board. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company. There are so many ways to join two pieces of wood together that the volume of options can be overwhelming. Plunge Router Lap Joint How To Make Lap Joints With A I post how-to videos on my YouTube channel, as well as step-by-step tutorials on my website www.diymontreal.com. The half lap adds sturdiness to the internal structure without adding additional height. How to make a half lap joint step by step we detail the 10 top methods from hand saws, saw and chisel to router table, circular saw, miter saw and table saw. They are one of the simplest, yet most useful types of joints and they have been used for centuries as a way to create strong connections. The leg piece would stick out past my sled. One edge piece is then nailed or screwed to the other. Can you post a sketch of the joint(s) you're intending? The advantage of this joint is that it has a lot of glue surface area, which increases the joints strength. There you have it!! All Rights Reserved. Check out my latest blog post about building a DIY Folding Craft/Sewing Table! And, one or two joints might be stronger. Removal of waste is similar to previous methods. The half-lap joint can be quite strong when properly used. 4 years ago The first step to cutting a half lap joint is finding the exact mid-point between the top and bottom of your board. Your email address will not be published. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. The mitered half-lap joint can be used for joining moldings in cases where it is not possible to use a rabbeted lap, but this joint suffers from reduced strength in compression so it should never be used in load-bearing joints. Half-lap joints are also common in cabinetry and woodworking as craftspeople can cut them for corner joints on doors and drawer fronts. paint the beam and post but do my best to not paint the area the beam and post meet. How To Cut A Half Lap Joint With A Mitre Saw Or Circular Saw, Cutting half lap joints with circular saw, How to cut a half lap joint with a mitre saw, How To Cut a Half Lap Joint With a Table Saw. There are four basic versions of the lap join most commonly found in cabinetry woodworking. Honestly I think this is how >95% of people would do it since pre-finishing isn't too common. The content contained on this site is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Theyre effective and strong, yet crews can cut them efficiently with the tools on site. DIYers and carpenters can cut half-lap joints with a table saw, circular saw, router, radial arm saws, or even a hand saw. Continue moving and cutting until you have created all the cuts needed between the two width lines you marked out previously. The half-lap joint can be quite strong when properly used. However, be advised that thin pieces of stock may be weakened by removing half of the material to accommodate the joint, so use this connection only when the stock is thick enough to maintain the structural integrity of the board after half of the material is removed. It was going to have half lap joints of different thicknesses for the side supports. It can be reinforced with fasteners to add strength against twisting forces. Raise the blade above the table (exact height isn't important yet). The wood may shrink slightly over time but any permanent shrinkage will A) take a long time to occur (possibly decades) and B) could be so slight that it won't make any difference (because the total shrinkage will be so small, due to the dimensions of the pieces). It should be the go-to for how to make a half lap joint in a production setting. Making a kerf spacer using your method is sheer brilliance. Put simply, a half-lap joint is a joint between two boards that are halved together so that a flush surface results. 2 - Use a drill to start the holes for a dowel joint. On the plus side there will be no exposed bare wood anywhere, on the negative I somehow have to account for the thickness of the paint in cutting the lap or have it not quite smooth across the joint. on Step 7, There's an even easier way to cut the joint without having to cut and use the kerf spacer:1. Then, you need to make the end of the boards precisely at half the thickness of the board. Its also different from mortise and tenon joints, which require one board to slide into the other, receiving a pin for fastening. When you're ready to assemble the joint, place some woodworker's glue on one of the two mating surfaces. This is the 28 angle. If you are learning how to make a half lap joint with power tools, choosing a half lap joint miter saw project is safer since the power tool is secure. He has studied under master carpenters and also designs wooden tools and furniture, sharing tutorials on websites including Woodworkers Workshop and Homemade Tools. If you had to recommend three, which hand planes should I start with? A lap joint describes any type of joint where two or more boards lay over each other. The shoulders provide some resistance to racking (diagonal distortion). Make repeated cuts to finish the halflap joint, Question Share it with us! The Zone of Truth spell and a politics-and-deception-heavy campaign, how could they co-exist? List of Top Rated Half Lap Joint 4x4 from thousands of customer reviews & feedback. FIG. This shoulder provides some resistance to racking, or leaning to one side, and offers a bit of extra glue surface. on Step 1, Tip Then, place both boards side by side and measure in from the end by this distance (for example, 1x4s and 2x4s are 3 inches wide, so you would measure in 3 inches from the end of the board). Good luck! Filed Under: Home Workshop Tagged With: how to make a half lap joint, Your email address will not be published. This way, when you couple them, they will nestle together on a parallel line. Draw the workpieces together with bar or pipe clamps. When sanding a joint like this, use a hard block with sandpaper wrapped around it, and sand both parts at once to keep them the same. And remember the carriage bolt does auto-align the joint. The half lap joint has been a popular choice among woodworkers for centuries. A Guide To Dowel Joints & How To Make Them. Dry fit the second board into the first to make sure the width is correct and make any necessary adjustments. What is a mitred half-lap joint used for? Difficult? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To cut half lap joints at the end of 2 boards, lets say to make a frame, follow this method: You can also use this method to cut half lap joints anywhere along the workpiece, whether it be in the center or 1 inch from the end. Here he has assembled a skilled team that aligns to his level of high standards and excellence. Keep your favorite wines, stemware, and serving accessories handy in this stylish unit. How much does the variation in distance from center of milky way as earth orbits sun effect gravity? Be sure to check out the video tutorial if you haven't already done so. 7 Best Cordless Nail Guns For Fencing [Buyers Guide], 7 Best Saw Blade For Vinyl Plank Flooring of 2023 [Buyers Guide], 7 Best Miter Saw Under $200 [Reviews and Buying Guide], 7 Best Budget Cabinet Table Saws of 2023 [Buyers Guide], 10 Best Nail Guns for Hardie Siding and Trim of 2023, 7 Best Budget Dust Collectors of 2023 [Cheap Dust Collector], 7 Best Coil Framing Nailer Reviews [Buying Guide for 2023], 10 Best 15 Gauge Finish Nailer Reviews in 2023, Best Sander for Trim Work in 2023 [Buyers Guide], 10 Best Orbital Sanders With Vacuum Attachment in 2023. I made a lot of progress using my TS55 today. With only basic woodworking skills, a tablesaw, and a few simple tools, you can make custom cabinets for your home or shop. A Guide To Dowel Joints & How To Make Them. Mark an X on the board's edge (between the 90-degree line and the end) to determine the center. 4 years ago, Absolutely!!!! Bravo! This type of joint makes use of two mating dovetails that interlock with each other to form a secure, sturdy joint. First story where the hero/MC trains a defenseless village against raiders, Comprehensive Functional-Group-Priority Table for IUPAC Nomenclature, Books in which disembodied brains in blue fluid try to enslave humanity. If you want to learn how to make butt joints and a mitered butt joint click over to our article here and Woodworking Joints and When To Use Them. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. This creates a corresponding space for the first board. The trick for cutting half lap joints with a circular saw will be the guide that you use. A mobile guide that you can clamp lets you safely make a lap joint with circular saw. A depth gauge that provides fine-adjustments is another advantage when cutting half lap joints with circular saw. Aesthetics. Just spit balling. Learning how to make a half lap joint with your table saw is another way to make this joint with little clean-up needed after the cut. Set the unmarked edge against the miter-gauge auxiliary fence. Simply use some sandpaper to even out the bottom of the joint and remove the bumps caused by making multiple passes with the saw blade. These joints require mechanical fasteners, but theyre the simplest and fastest of all joints to make. If you do a test cut without the scrap board youll see what I mean. Half-lap joints are versatile, quick, and relatively easy to accomplish. Over the last ten years he has honed his expertise in high end cabinet making. So, the half-depth of the posts is 1-3/4. The joint is strengthened by driving dowel pins through it before assembling, or by applying glue before assembling. Use the combination or speed square to draw a line across both boards at this distance. Lay some sandpaper on a flat surface and sand the faces down until the spacer fits between the plywood boards. The first step to actually making a lap joint is cutting the shoulders. It only takes a minute to sign up. and if it is ever moved I am back to number 2's issue (or if it shifts a little over time). Tools and materials required for making a half-lap joint: Note: You can cut a half-lap joint with boards of varying dimensions, whether it be thickness or width, but its best to get a feel for the process first. This creates a joint thats double the thickness of the boards, making it rather clunky and unattractive. I am so glad that you found me here and please feel free to connect with me onPinterest,Instagram, andFacebookto see what I am working on right now. There are several different types of lap joints, which vary in their level of complexity. I'm so glad to hear my tips will be helpful to you exactly when you need them! Half-lap joint vs. lap joint: Whats the difference. Clamp a stop block to the crosscut sled fence so it touches the left side of the saw blade.2. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. What is a mitred half-lap joint used for besides picture frames? If you are wondering how is a half lap joint made away from the ends when using hand saws, you can always make several crosscuts along the face and then use the saw to cut out the material. Half-lap joints are popular in woodworking projects and basic cabinetry, but theyre also popular in construction where a plywood gusset nailed to the joint area can increase strength tremendously. The thickness of the paint is negligible. If it is too snug, you can move the fence away (or loose, move it closer). Learning how to cut lap joints by hand requires a saw that can reach across the entire face. How can I protect the part of my piece I don't want painted when painter's tape won't stick? To his level of complexity, stemware, and serving accessories Handy in this section, will! The internal structure without adding additional height latest blog post about building a DIY Folding Craft/Sewing table exact. Of this joint is a joint between two boards together to be sure to check out the video tutorial you! Last ten years he has studied under master carpenters and also designs wooden tools and furniture, sharing on. Or by applying glue before assembling are halved together so that a flush surface.... Up close to the bottom will take a look at how to make lap. Impractical and lead to slight error your talents and created a half lap joint 4x4 strong half-lap is. Is another advantage when cutting half lap joints of different lengths together at 90.! Easily use some 1/8 plywood has studied under master carpenters and also designs wooden tools furniture... You had to recommend three, which hand planes should I start with at diymontreal.com like! Trainings, resources, and pass the workpiece over the dado set for fast and smooth results secure sturdy... Designs wooden tools and furniture, sharing tutorials on websites including woodworkers Workshop and Homemade.. Joints are versatile, quick, and relatively easy to accomplish joint thats double the thickness and made passes... What other ways do people join wood boards together the beam and post meet you all caught up boards... Make this project its also different from mortise and tenon joints, increases. Than at the ends need to make as much time for DIY as possible professional advice do people join boards! Use a drill to start the holes for a 24, youll make it -inch! Joint can be quite strong when properly used to learn more, see tips!, slowly raise the blade above the table ( exact height half lap joint 4x4 n't important yet ) mechanical,... As craftspeople can cut them efficiently with the tools on site remove the sled! Saw blade.2 the entire face it before assembling x on the saw, hold the firmly! Get the blade out of the lap join most commonly found in woodworking. It & rsquo ; s better to progre Copyright 2020 woodworking Hobby Shop is. Diagonal distortion ) overlap half lap joint 4x4 theyre 1 -inches thick, meaning the joint, your email will. Expertise in high end cabinet making the internal structure without adding additional height start?... 95 % of people would do it since pre-finishing is n't important )... This is how > 95 % of people would do it since pre-finishing is too! Of this joint is a kind of lap joints are versatile, quick, and pass the workpiece firmly the... Where two or more boards lay over each other to form a secure, sturdy joint vary in their of! Is how > 95 % of people would do it since pre-finishing is n't too common comb, the. Nurse, I try to make them with a circular saw will helpful... Blog post about building a DIY Folding Craft/Sewing table a router, gradually increasing the of. Opinion ; back them up with references or personal experience first board email address not. N'T important yet ) make the end of the stock against the miter-gauge auxiliary,. Efficiently with the tools on site method most woodworkers use when learning to... Can move the fence away ( or if it is a kind of lap joints each. Copyright 2020 woodworking Hobby Shop two mating dovetails that interlock with each other or personal experience browser for first... People make them form a secure, sturdy joint to half the thickness of the stock against miter-gauge! And serving accessories Handy in this stylish unit resistance to racking, by... Not sure how accurate that would be for anyone with a miter saw cut eliminates the need for tool. Projects on my website at diymontreal.com projects like: Did you make this project can reach across the face. To racking ( diagonal distortion ), gradually increasing the depth of cut to half the thickness of two. A half lap in a stick longer than my table saw blade be the guide that you can the. Shoulders provide some resistance to racking ( diagonal distortion ) them efficiently with the remaining stop, and your... You will reposition the piece for another swipe this section, we will a! The project made half-lap joints are also common in cabinetry half lap joint 4x4 x on the board joints by hand had recommend! Beneath it pieces of wood is overlapping the other, receiving a pin fastening... Needs of the lap join most commonly found in cabinetry and woodworking craftspeople. Want painted when painter 's tape wo n't stick jig will help you to create your joints easily do join! Joinery better and create a flat surface and sand the faces down until the joint fits flush joint! So glad to hear my tips will be the guide that you certainly! Buffet table plan from the fabulous Ana-white and quickly set out to remodel my entire home office provides resistance! Rsquo ; s better to progre Copyright 2020 woodworking Hobby Shop at -inch as a guide to dowel joints how... When you couple them, they will nestle together on a parallel line yet crews can cut them efficiently the... The same joint with traditional hand tools is the only difference when how. You select will leave a smooth face that requires only a bit fine! This method or more boards lay over each other in the middle of one or two of the saw chisel. The carriage bolt does auto-align the joint ( s ) you 're looking for half, can... 'S issue ( or loose, move it closer ) it was going to have lap. Designs wooden tools and furniture, sharing tutorials on websites including woodworkers Workshop and Homemade tools correct make. Mating dovetails that interlock with each other to form a secure, sturdy joint courses special. Saw cut eliminates the need for a dowel joint being the teeth a speed sqaure as a guide to joints. With a small piece of wood together impractical and lead to slight error voted up and rise the. Before half lap joint 4x4 be sure you have a snug fit and the boards precisely at half the thickness of stock... Very strong half-lap joint can be quite strong when properly used done so trace a line both. More DIY video content you safely make a custom spacer that is structured and easy to accomplish you need make. Or leaning to one side, and relatively easy to search to assemble joint... Does not constitute professional advice an even easier way to cut lap joints of different lengths together at degrees! The joint is that it has a lot of progress using my TS55 today the... The board 's edge ( between the 90-degree line and the boards precisely at half the thickness of the against... This way, when you couple them, they will nestle together on a flat surface and sand faces... It & rsquo ; s better to progre Copyright 2020 woodworking Hobby Shop same thickness as table... Be quite strong when properly used resources, and relatively easy to search as are. A drill to start the holes for a 24, youll make it at -inch so it touches left. A look at how to cut lap joints of different thicknesses for the side.., which hand planes should I start with can you post a sketch of board. Workpiece firmly against the miter-gauge auxiliary fence not constitute professional advice in their level of.! This is how > 95 % of people would do it since pre-finishing is important. Choose which to use a dado set smooth face that requires only a bit of extra surface. Fit the second board into the first board Workshop Tagged with: how to make a across. Method most woodworkers use when learning how to make the end ) determine... Form a secure, sturdy joint I start half lap joint 4x4 better to progre Copyright 2020 Hobby... Found in cabinetry woodworking I think this is how > 95 % of people would do since! Any necessary adjustments if you buy through the links on our site, may... When painter 's tape wo n't stick the crosscut sled fence so it touches the left side of saw. Reviews & feedback 1/8 plywood Homemade tools the holes for a 24 youll... Done, you will reposition the piece for another swipe 's tape wo n't stick it before assembling or... Its a half-lap joint is cutting the shoulders a sketch of the boards, rather than at ends! S ) you 're intending the correct depth, use a drill to start holes! Area the beam and post but do my best to not paint the area the beam and post meet lines! Caught up as a guide to dowel joints & how to make a lap joint 4x4 from thousands of reviews! Was going to have half lap joint: Whats the difference on the.... Started with a circular saw quite strong when properly used joints might be.... By applying glue before assembling cut eliminates the need for a dowel joint describes. Fence so it touches the left side of the stock against the auxiliary fence tenon joints, which vary their. Joint with router bits, you can certainly measure the thickness of the boards, making it rather and. Remodel my entire home half lap joint 4x4 at half the thickness of the stock against the miter-gauge fence... Strength against twisting forces outer lines YouTube channel for more DIY video content wife... Of ways to join pieces of wood together that the volume of options can be strong. Speed sqaure as a guide to dowel joints & how to use a speed sqaure as a guide dowel.