Patron Version Video: The Humble Half-Lap
Added 2024-02-17 12:00:07 +0000 UTCFriends:
On Monday morning, I had a simple plan: come back from COVID with a brief, useful video on an under-used joint. I was going to do 10 minutes on the humble half-lap joint, be done by Tuesday night, and start on the next thing.
Well, that didn’t work out.
As I cut the joints and shot the video, more ideas just kept coming up. I eventually thought of 4 variations of the joint and all of them were worth mentioning. There were a lot of little tips for cutting and fitting each variation. Then I thought of testing each one. With a mallet.
So here I am, slightly embarrassed, with a half hour on the “simplest” joint. How did it go all wrong? Mostly just being neurotic. On the bright side, there’s a lot of good tips in here.
Stay tuned to the end for a special message just for Patrons.
I mention a discussion thread where you can give suggestions on what we do this year and that thread is here. (Please do use the discussion thread for suggestions. I need them all in one place.)
Hope everyone is staying healthy this season. My buddy’s infant daughter just spent 3 days in the hospital with RSV, so that’s scary.
Stay safe!
--Rex
Comments
Great.
Peter R Schuck
2024-02-20 19:06:45 +0000 UTCThat was my comment for future videos. How to source acceptable hardwood without going broke.
Richard C von Brecht
2024-02-20 18:58:07 +0000 UTCThat's great and explains the sound on the video. I just purchased a set to try out with my Gopro 9 and 10. A video about wood would be great if you have the time of course. Hope you continue to get better. As I daid, took me a year to get over. At 69 I got it on my birthday from my wife. She hot it at a work group dinner someone had out. I kept starting to feel better then drop back. Earlier this year I ended up with bad bronchitis/Pneumonia which wasn't fun lasted 2 months. Sucks getting older. And I've had all 4 vaccination as well, mainly Pfizer ones. Take care.
Peter R Schuck
2024-02-20 13:18:17 +0000 UTCthank you!
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:52:44 +0000 UTCHey Peter, if you look, you can see the mic on my shirt. It's what I use in every video. I just had a battery die and I didn't notice. That's why it cuts out. Maybe I can do a video about woods to help you get started!
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:52:28 +0000 UTCThat's very interesting. I'll need to think about that fascinating insight.
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:51:04 +0000 UTCI'm so glad it was useful!
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:50:25 +0000 UTCYou're 100% right. We all need to practice.
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:50:17 +0000 UTCI'm the king of getting carried away!
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:50:01 +0000 UTCI'll try to do more of these. I'm very glad it's useful.
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:49:44 +0000 UTCI'm glad this helped! That's what I was hoping for.
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:48:48 +0000 UTCExcellent! I need to remember to make more videos geared toward the beginner. Thanks for keeping me honest!
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:48:21 +0000 UTCThank you! I'll try to do more of these.
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:47:47 +0000 UTCIt's a very good joint for benches. I think i might build it again soon.
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:47:32 +0000 UTCThanks for the suggestions!
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:47:09 +0000 UTCExcellent. I'll try to do more.
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:46:42 +0000 UTCThe timber half-lap seems under appreciated. I think I'm going to use it more.
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:46:31 +0000 UTCI am, but the energy still isn't there. I need to be patient, but I'm bad at that.
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:46:06 +0000 UTCI'm glad it wasn't dull!
Rex Krueger
2024-02-20 12:45:48 +0000 UTCGlad you’re doing OK!
Bob Berger
2024-02-20 01:33:12 +0000 UTCGood video taught me a lot. Glad you are nearly over the Covid. Took me a year to recover. I take it you were looking for the other camera at times which was a little distracting. Do you have a microphone that you can wear and capture with the camera? I'm a total beginner at 70 looking to occupy my sedentary life. Going to try woodworking and also silversmithing as well. I have a bad back so have to take it easy with things. Knowing about what Woods to start off with is my biggest challenge. Take care of yourself, getting over Covid can take a while.
Peter R Schuck
2024-02-18 05:37:02 +0000 UTCGreat content as always, sir. You probably didn't want to go down an additional rabbit hole, but as someone who studied log home building with Warren Roberts and Henry Glassie, the half dovetail joint works so well in timber framing because any water that intrudes has a way to run out. If the dovetail was also on the top, it would hold water in its valley.
John Laudun
2024-02-17 22:54:17 +0000 UTCHappy that your feeling better, Rex. That was an amazing video and very informative. Thanks.
Jennessa Lynam
2024-02-17 22:33:25 +0000 UTCI think you were right with m your comment about a monkey being able to make a half lap joint. However, neither the monkey nor the human will likely make a good one their first time!
Chris St. Cyr
2024-02-17 22:00:18 +0000 UTCGlad to see you feeling better and back in the shop. It is really easy to get carried away when you are following your passion. Thank you Rex and keep getting rest to stay well.
Matt Evans-Koch
2024-02-17 19:33:49 +0000 UTCI’d like to meet the monkey that can do a thirty-six minute video on half lap joinery techniques. I love these tutorials on technique. If I wasn’t such an armchair wood worker I wouldn’t need Patreon for this reinforcement. Still, I do appreciate the content regardless of the subject. It’s all great.
Richard C von Brecht
2024-02-17 18:43:12 +0000 UTCI also struggled with the half lap joints on the English Joiner’s bench. I skipped them for the legs (I found the diagonal braces were not actually necessary), but when I cut them for the top, I ended up with ugly gaps here and there. I filled these with small wedges. I eventually added a lower shelf and I half-lapped the stringers … but I used a circular saw and chisel to tackle those. I’m looking forward to doing more of this joint, but entirely by hand this time.
Alex R
2024-02-17 17:37:05 +0000 UTCGlad to see you're recovered! That stuff is no joke. BTW I'm glad you went down the rabbit hole here. This kind of exploration for something this simple actually really helps me. I'm still getting started, and mining your older Woodworking for Humans series almost daily for tidbits. This one helped me wrap my head around how the different details come together to create strength. So, thanks!
John Casey
2024-02-17 15:59:02 +0000 UTCGood video. I’m a fan of the joint comparisons, also a good intro on joinery. Nicely done.
Eric McCormick
2024-02-17 15:11:18 +0000 UTCI really liked the dove tail joint when I built the Quick Stack Work Bench. Enjoyed the video.
Skully Wood and Metal
2024-02-17 14:39:45 +0000 UTCGreat deep dive into the strengths and weaknesses of different varieties of the half lap. Next edition: different methods of cutting the half laps using hand tools. Then one of the power tool centric channels can really get crazy with cutting the half lap with power tools! I can think of at least half a dozen ways just off the top of my head. I'm thinking a full-on 3-day course devoted to the humble half lap.
Brian Taylor
2024-02-17 14:25:06 +0000 UTCThis kind of deep dive into a joint is exactly what I want! Glad you're feeling better, Rex!
Michael Carman
2024-02-17 14:15:22 +0000 UTCGlad you’re on the mend and thanks for a really detailed video. Love that timber lap joint!
Gerald Eddy
2024-02-17 14:15:09 +0000 UTCthanks Rex, Glad you are feeling better
Marc Barash
2024-02-17 13:22:32 +0000 UTCNothing wrong with a longer video now and then. Love the tips and suggestions!
Bradley Barth
2024-02-17 13:09:14 +0000 UTC
