Spline Joints

Spline joints are a variation of the tongue and groove joint. Instead of a fixed tongue it has a loose spline and is installed by driving the spline in from the end or cutting off the bottom of the groove and dropping in place. This is sometimes necessary in wood floor repairs.

I've also used this joint when lining up casework panels. When there isn't enough room to install the final panel with a fixed tongue and groove then a spline joint can be used. Making a loose spline is easy with a table saw and cutting the grooves can be done with a router and 1/4" router bit.

Some Common Woodworking Joints

Biscuit Joints
Bridle Joints
Box Joints
Butt Joints
Dado Joints
Dovetail Joints
Dowel Joints
Finger Joints
Miter Joints
Mortise and Tenon Joints
Pocket Hole Joints
Rabbet Joints
Scarf Joints
Spline Joints
Tongue and Groove Joints

Joinery Tips and Techniques

Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP Five-Speed Router, Model #7518
This 3-1/4 HP variable speed router from Porter Cable has an electronic 5-speed control that ranges from 10,000-21,000 RPM! Porter Cable 3-1/4 HP Five-Speed Router, Model #7518

Bosch Coltâ„¢ Variable-Speed Palm Router Kit
Put power and precision in the palm of your hand! While it may look like a laminate trimmer, this compact (7-1/2" high) and lightweight (3.3 lbs.) router is more than shop-worthy with a 1.0 HP (max.), 5.7 amp motor â€” the highest rating in its class. 16,000-35,000 RPM. Bosch Coltâ„¢ Variable-Speed Palm Router Kit

Straight Router Bit
Top quality straight router bits that meet the high standards of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. One of the most common router bits, straight router bits are used to cut grooves for spline joints, dadoes, rabbets, and for general purpose material removal. Straight Router Bit

Freud Adjustable Tongue and Groove Bit Set

Application: Producing perfectly fitted tongue and groove joints for projects such as Shaker style cabinet doors. Exclusive Freud design features a tongue cutter with opposing shear angles to ensure a flawless finish. Adjustable at .002 inch increments for stock thickness of 1/2" to 1-1/4" and groove widths of 7/32" to 3/8". Cuts all composition materials, plywoods, hardwoods, and softwoods. Use on table-mounted portable routers.

Freud Adjustable Tongue and Groove Bit Set

Freud Adjustable Tongue & Groove Bit Set

Woodsmith Box Joint Jig DVD
Tap into a wealth of tips and techniques on how to cut perfect box joints quickly and easily! Covering everything from stock preparation to table saw applications, this detailed DVD shows you how to get the most from your Woodsmith Box Joint Jig. Woodsmith Box Joint Jig DVD

Woodworker's Guide to Joinery, Book

The longevity of every project is determined by the strength of its joints. This book, part of the Back to Basics series, gives clear, detailed instructions on joinery fundamentals: miter, lap and groove, mortise and tenon, dovetail joints, spline joints, and more. Hundreds of full - color photographs and illustrations guide you through. Whether using hand tools or power tools, you'll get plain-spoken advice on how to make your joinery stand the test of time. 192 pages.

Woodworker's Guide to Joinery, Book

Router Joinery DVD
Routers can be used to cut a wide variety of joints quickly and accurately. In this video, professional woodworker Gary Rogowski demonstrates router joinery techniques that can be mastered by any woodworker. Youâ€™ll see firsthand how to do the work, the tools, the techniques, and the subtle rhythm of each process. 45 minutes. Router Joinery DVD

The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Book
Learn how to use this time-saving tool to create durable joints without clamps or special fasteners in a range of stunning furniture projects. The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Book