Stretchers that cross
Cross / middle lap
A half-depth notch in the middle of each piece so they cross flush.
Use when
- Two stretchers cross and neither should stand proud.
Don’t use when
- Do not cut the notches deeper than half.
- Keep
- Waste, hatched on the drawing
- Dimension
- Long parts are broken. The 1 in bar is true scale.
Stock
Thickness steppers move by 1/16 in, or 0.5 mm. You can type 3/4 or 1-1/8.
Sizes
| Mark | Size | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Lap depth | 3/8 in | Half the thickness, so the faces flush |
| Notch width | 2 in | The width of the crossing piece |
| Stock thickness | 3/4 in | Both pieces should match |
Cut sequence
1Knife the lap in the middle
Depth 3/8 in, length 2 in. Half the thickness, so the faces flush.
2Saw the shoulders and chisel the cheek
Work from both faces on a cross lap so the far edge does not tear.
Stop when: A straightedge across the two faces shows one plane.
3Dry-fit, then glue
Close the joint dry. Check that shoulders and faces meet, then glue. If this is a frame or a box, check both diagonals before the glue grabs.
Stop when: Dry-fit is tight with hand pressure, square, and the diagonals match.
Glue
Long grain to long grain
Strength
furniture
Movement
A cross lap locks two pieces in plane where they cross. Glue is long grain to long grain in the notch.