Splice joint
Encyclopedia
A splice joint is a method of joining two members end to end in woodworking
. The splice joint is used when the material being joined is not available in the length required. It is an alternative to other joints such as the butt joint
and the scarf joint
. Splice joints are stronger than unreinforced butt joints and have the potential to be stronger than a scarf joint. They are more visible than a scarf joint but may be preferred when more strength is required.
Splices are therefore most often used when structural elements are required in longer lengths than the available material. The most common form of the splice joint is the half lap
splice, which is common in building construction
, where it is used to join shorter lengths of timber into longer beams.
There are four main types of splice joints: Half lap, Bevel lap, Tabled, and Tapered finger.
s are to be used.
The joint is cut as for a half lap.
The tabled splice joint is another variation of the half lap. The cheeks are cut with interlocking surfaces so that when brought together the joint resists being pulled apart.
This joint is commonly used in the production of building materials from smaller offcuts of timber. It is commonly found in skirting
, architrave
, and fascia.
The joint is usually made by machine.
Woodworking
Woodworking is the process of building, making or carving something using wood.-History:Along with stone, mud, and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by early humans. Microwear analysis of the Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals show that many were used to work wood...
. The splice joint is used when the material being joined is not available in the length required. It is an alternative to other joints such as the butt joint
Butt joint
A butt joint is a joinery technique in which two members are joined by simply butting them together. The butt joint is the simplest joint to make since it merely involves cutting the members to the appropriate length and butting them together. It is also the weakest because unless some form of...
and the scarf joint
Scarf joint
A scarf joint is a method of joining two members end to end in woodworking or metalworking. The scarf joint is used when the material being joined is not available in the length required...
. Splice joints are stronger than unreinforced butt joints and have the potential to be stronger than a scarf joint. They are more visible than a scarf joint but may be preferred when more strength is required.
Splices are therefore most often used when structural elements are required in longer lengths than the available material. The most common form of the splice joint is the half lap
Lap joint
In woodworking or metal fitting, a lap joint is a technique for joining two pieces of material by overlapping them. A lap may be a full lap or half lap....
splice, which is common in building construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
, where it is used to join shorter lengths of timber into longer beams.
Types of splice joints
Half lap splice joint
The half lap splice joint is the simplest form of the splice joint and is commonly used to join structural members where either great strength is not required or reinforcement, such as mechanical fastenerFastener
A fastener is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together.Fasteners can also be used to close a container such as a bag, a box, or an envelope; or they may involve keeping together the sides of an opening of flexible material, attaching a lid to a container,...
s are to be used.
The joint is cut as for a half lap.
Bevel lap splice joint
The bevel lap is a variation of the half-lap in which the cheeks of the opposing members are cut at an angle of 5 to 10 degrees, sloping back away from the end of the member, so that some resistance to tension is introduced. This helps to prevent the members from being pulled apart.Tabled splice joint
Tapered finger splice joint
The tapered finger splice joint requires a series of matching 'fingers' or interlocking prominences to be cut on the ends of opposing members. The joint is brought together and glued, with the fingers providing substantial glue surface.This joint is commonly used in the production of building materials from smaller offcuts of timber. It is commonly found in skirting
Skirting
Skirting can refer to:*in construction it can refer to Baseboards or Molding *protective devices like lift table bellows*mobile homes skirting refers to the vinyl elements that covers the crawl space...
, architrave
Architrave
An architrave is the lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of the columns. It is an architectural element in Classical architecture.-Classical architecture:...
, and fascia.
The joint is usually made by machine.
External links
- DIYinfo.org's Timber Joints Wiki - Heaps of practical information on various types of timber joints.