A lap joint falls into the category of halving joints – where two halves make a whole. It is a relatively easy joint to cut and a great learning joint if you are just getting going in woodwork. While not particularly strong, lap joints are simple joints you can use to make picture frames and mirrors.

What is a lap joint joinery?

When learning joinery, a lap joint should be the first joint you master because it is the simplest option for joining two pieces of wood together. A lap joint is simply a notch cut out of one board, and a similar notch cut out of another. Then the two pieces are overlapped (hence the name) and glued together.

Is a lap joint weak?

With modern glues lap joints can be adequately strong and quite satisfactory although they may be regarded as very basic joints. ... However, corner halving joints (called above, end lap joints), are inherently weak, especially when mitred.