When To Use Finger Joints And Glue Joints

Finger joints are those in which the ends of the surfaces to be joined together are cut and shaped in a manner that allows them to lock together in a straight or perpendicular way. Glue joints can refer to any shape joined or glued together in mechanical and adhesive ways.

There are several differences between finger joints and glue joints due to the differences in their structures. The applications for which you use finger joints and glue joints also tend to differ and vary considerably.

If you are confused between the two, you can go through the upcoming sections to get a better idea about the meaning, uses, pros & cons of each joint. This will then make it easier for you to choose one for your required purpose.

Finger Joint vs Glue Joint for Woodworking Joints

Finger joints and glue joints broadly tend to differ from each other in the following ways.

Finger joints are those that require comb-like and complementary cuts on the edges of each wood piece that you want to join. Glue joints are a wider group that includes all possible shapes of joints or even edges simply glued together.

Finger joints are highly specific, while glue joints are more versatile in their applications.

You are likely to waste far less wood when it comes to constructing finger joints than several glue joints.

Finger joints are bound to be more durable than simpler glue joints since they involve both interlocking and gluing.

Finger joints, due to the time and effort involved in cutting up the precise and complementary shapes, are more expensive as compared to most glue joints. Even then, however, they are quite cost-effective.

Finger joints and glue joints tend to differ in terms of their applications, and determining which joint to use will depend on the desired strength of the joint and the project itself.

Finger Joint Vs Glue Joint For Woodworking Joints

When to Use a Finger Joint

Finger joints have numerous uses and applications, with some overlapping with glue joints too. However, there are some situations in which you should use finger joints over glue joints. Let’s take a look at some of these situations and uses below.

Baseboards
Tables
Trims
Moldings
Doors
Floorboards
Casings
Decorative pieces
Box constructions
Studs in frames
Chairs

You can increase the strength of your project using a finger joint, although there are some situations in which you will need to exercise caution.

If you need to rely on the joints to withstand irregular pressure or if you need to place your woodwork piece in elevated temperatures.

Finger Joint Pros

Finger joints are usually an affordable option for woodworkers seeking a super-strong wood joint, especially when done through machines.
There is minimal waste involved when it comes to finger joints since both ends of the wood pieces are cut to complement each other, leaving fewer possibilities of having extra pieces.
Finger joints result in quite a strong bond due to the combination of the locking mechanism and the glue.
If you need to apply vertical pressure or a similar kind of load, finger joints can typically manage this, even in structural constructions.
Finger joints usually result in sharper and more uniform joints between the given pieces of wood.

Finger Joint Cons

You will need to maintain plenty of precision and caution to ensure that the joints are perfectly complementary. Crooked or uneven fingers can result in poorer structure and appearance.
It is difficult to obtain a smooth and completely flat surface using finger joints, and they are not the most beginner-friendly joints.

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Finger Joint?

If you wish to make a finger joint between two pieces of wood, it is crucial for you first to gather the relevant tools and materials to ensure the best possible outcome. Here is a list of some tools that you will require.

Combination blades with flat tops or rips
Glue
Mallet
Chisels
Table saws
Dado blade set
Coping saw
Dovetail saw
Clamps
Extra wood squares for testing
Woodworking bench/armor tool workbench
Safety equipment (glasses, gloves, mask)

Make sure you set everything up and test out the design on a small piece of the square before you move on to the larger piece.

What Tools Do You Need To Make A Finger Joint

When to Use a Glue Joint?

Glue joints have a wide range of applications too. Being aware of these can make it easier to carry these out whenever you want to work on your next project.

Go through the following list of uses and applications so that you know when to use a glue joint.

End-to-end or side-by-side joining
Tabletops
Benches
Cabinets
Windows
Beds
Frames
Floors
Shelves
Roof constructions

Due to the adhesive strength and, quite often, the mechanical strength of many of these joints, pressure or stress from a load is more manageable here. This can result in important uses for structural pieces as well as for furniture-based pieces.

When To Use A Glue Joint — *Image: BFulk Handmade*

Glue Joint Pros

Glue joints have a wide variety of shapes, joints, and mechanisms in place, leading to more versatility and a wide range of applications.
These joints can be useful for structures that require frequent pressure or stress application, although they can also work well for crafts and decoration.
Glue joints can result in a smooth, simple, uniform, flat and clean surface after joining the given pieces of wood.
The surface area of the consequent piece can increase considerably after joining the two pieces using glue joints.
The material of wood used in the project, along with the strong glue itself, can increase the overall strength of the joint.

Glue Joint Cons

If the glue dries out or loses strength, this can have an impact on the structure, which is why common reapplication and frequent care are important.
The fits and cuts of the glue joint will require precision and cleanliness to ensure the best possible results. There is a bit of trial and error involved here.

What Do You Need to Make Glue Joints?

If you need to make glue joints, you should gather several materials that can help you carry out the cutting and joining process effectively. Go through the list of these tools and materials below.

Clamps
Extra wooden squares for testing
Reliable and strong wood glue
Table saws
Mallets
Chisels
Dovetail saw
Combination blades
Woodworking bench
Sharpeners for the tools
Safety equipment (masks, glasses, gloves)
Appropriate wood material

After you cut the joints precisely, you should completely wet the surface and joints with glue before you join them together.

Make sure you also maintain cleanliness and smoothness while also altering your machines and saws depending on the kind of joint you want to work with.

What Do You Need To Make Glue Joints — *Image: Holland Rustic*

What Are the Strongest Types of Joints?

The following types of joints are some of the strongest, offering plenty of convenience and benefits for heavy-duty requirements.

Finger Joints

We have sufficiently covered the meaning, uses advantages, and disadvantages of finger joints. Based on their construction and the combined strength of precise locking and strong adhesion, these joints are some of the strongest options that you can employ for a wide range of projects.

There are also several types of finger joints involved that you can make use of depending on the needs of your project. With precision, you can achieve plenty of stability and strength through these joints.

Dovetail Joints

Dovetail joints are extremely attractive while also having a great deal of strength in terms of their design. These joints include pins and tails of a trapezoid shape that are then joined together using a lock-and-glue mechanism.

The shape of the pins and tails, along with the dual joining system, makes these joints extremely strong and difficult to pull apart. This kind of stability makes them useful for making drawers, boxes, cabinets, and other strength-reliant projects.

Mortise and Tenon Joint

A mortise and tenon joint is used when two wooden or other surfaces need to be joined together. On one of the surfaces, there is a square or rectangular cut or cavity made towards the edge, while the other surface has a protruding piece that can easily fit into this cavity.

The cavity is the mortise, whereas the protruding end is the tenon. These tend to vary in thickness so that the two pieces can lock together in the most efficient manner. You can use these in several kinds of constructions, such as tables, chairs, beds, doors, panels, frames, and others.

What Are the Pros & Cons of Wood Joinery?

The aforementioned joints, along with several other kinds of joints, all fall under the wider category of wood joinery.

There are several pros and cons of this kind of wood joinery that you should account for, some of which are listed below.

Pros

You can achieve a strong and stable construction for a whole host of woodworking joints for your carpentry or furniture projects.
Wood joinery can be aesthetically pleasing when done right and will allow you to create beautiful joints with ugly-looking screws and nails.
You can achieve a neat and clean finish allowing you to craft superb angles and secure joints that will hold with confidence.
There are several kinds of wood joinery that can work for both building and craftwork, regardless of the project size.
You can vary the overall strength of your project joint using the kind of wood joinery you choose to use.

Cons

Wood joinery is usually time-consuming and expensive to master, as you’ll likely have some failures while attempting these joints.
Even a minor error can ruin the appearance and strength of the overall piece, so practice makes perfect, and perfection takes time.

The Bottom Line

Finger joints and glue joints are similar in many ways, with finger joints usually having a much more streamlined and specific shape and usage.

Both options tend to work well for various structural and aesthetic woodworking projects, so make sure you take your considerations and limitations into account before making a choice.

When to Use Finger Joints and Glue Joints

Finger Joint vs Glue Joint for Woodworking Joints