FULL LAP

To join two pieces of wood together, woodworkers often use a full lap joint. This joint involves overlapping the two pieces of wood without removing any wood from either piece. The thickness of the joint is therefore the sum of the thicknesses of the two pieces of wood. A full lap joint can be secured with fasteners to create a temporary connection, as it provides some resistance to shearing or twisting. However, it is not recommended for permanent joints that will bear weight. In contrast to a full lap joint, a half-lap joint involves removing portions of wood from each piece before joining them together.