tablesaw only joints

[mcommushroom]

So I've got my BT3100 setup pretty well now I think and I'm looking to do a "getting to know you" kind of project. My wife suggested a 1-step stool for her for the kitchen.

I started thinking about how to join the pieces together and am not sure what options are available to me. I don't have a router or dado blade. So all the joints have to be done with the TS or hand tools.

Am I limited to just butt joints with screws or dowels without a router or dado blade? Are those strong enough for something that will bear a person's weight?

I've seen people do half laps with a regular table saw blade but that didn't look all that safe for a 1st timer. What do you think?

Thanks!

[gjat]

Do butt joints. Cut a block under the step to support it. You should be fine. Definitely do what is absolutely comfortable at first. I started off with almost no tools and was able to build all sorts of stuff by thinking it through and changing the design to what I felt I was comfortably capable of doing. Every project is a learning opportunity.

[scorrpio]

Dado and rabbet is an option. These can be cut with a regular blade by making the passes on the sides of a dado, and then stepping the fence for several 'chipout' passes.

Box joint is an option. Cut shoulders of joint 'fingers' on the saw, and either use stepped passes to chip out the waste - or cut out with a chisel.

With some ingenuity and care, you can do even sliding dovetails. But you better make sure the saw is aligned dead on before trying it.

Saddle joints are fairly easy, but you'll need to make some kind of tenoning jig so you can cut pieces standing on their end safely. (Same goes for the box joint, btw)

[cgallery]

(1) I would find out if your local library has any books on table saws. Most of them will have some information on joints. They will also have some great safety tips and other info.

(2) One joint is a version of Item H. on this page:
http://www.woodshoptips.com/tips/090902/page8.htm

You can make H. reducing the size of the tongue to the thickness of your blade. It provides great alignment and incredible strength. I use that joint all the time. The only special tool you need is a sacrificial fence for your saw, made from some scrap wood. A few pieces of scrap for setup and you're making strong joints in no time.

Thanks,
Phil

[LCHIEN]

Butt joints will be fine for a first project like a stool.
Most people don't know the difference. They're easy to make and reinforced with dowels and or screws will be plenty strong esp. if you make an H-base with a cross member between the end legs.

Make sure you pick some flat wood at the store - if it looks warped there it won't be any flatter when you get it home!

have fun! Be safe!

[RayintheUK]

A while ago, I did a page on common woodworking joints, which might be of interest to you. As others have said, butt joints should be fine for your step stool, so I'd go that route, concentrating on producing accurately cut, identical pieces. You could later use any scraps to try another type of joint. Beware of trying to cut too small a piece, though - work safely!

Good luck and don't forget to let us know how you get on.

Ray.

[ssmith1627]

I'd highly recommend Ray's site as well. Great information there, especially for the beginner -- just to get some of the concepts and options into your head. Very good stuff.

Steve

[Tom Miller]

You can make it look fairly impressive with a pegged rabbet joint. This would be very easy to do, like so:



Cut the joints, glue and clamp each slat in place one at a time, and drill the holes for the pegs afterwards.

Regards,
Tom

[mcommushroom]

Excellent ideas, everyone. Thanks. Sounds like butt joints with screws or dowels will be strong enough, so I'll try that for my first project. That way, I can at least keep the blade guard on. I'll try some rabbets once I'm a little more comfortable since I need to remove the guard for that.

And thanks for the website tips.

[Pappy]

If you decide to try to nibble out a dado, cut some strips of sand paper the width of the dado. Wrap it around a scrap of ply and smooth out the bottom of the dado. Works really well.