are in contact with each other at every point; they
are then usually united with glue. Fig. 1 shows a sketch of a butt joint
in its simplest form. In Fig. 2 is indicated the method of holding the
joint whilst being glued; the upright portion is held rigid in the bench
vice, thus leaving the left hand to hold the piece which is to be
jointed, whilst the right hand operates the glue brush. The pieces of
wood which form a butt joint may be glued together with or without the
aid of cramps or artificial pressure. If the joint is to be made without
cramping, the two surfaces of the timber are warmed so as not to chill
the glue. The surfaces are then glued and put together and rubbed
backwards and forwards so as to get rid of the superfluous glue. They are
then put aside to dry.

GLUEING.--The better the glue penetrates into the pores of the wood, the
stronger the joint will be; for this reason timber of the loose-fibred
variety, such as pine, etc., will hold up at the joint better than
hardwoods like teak and rosewood. The glue used for jointing should be
neither too thick nor too thin; the consistency of cream will be found
suitable for most purposes. It should be nice and hot, and be rapidly
spread over the surface of the wood.

[Illustration: Fig. 2.--How the Wood is held whilst Glueing.]

If light-coloured woods, such as pine, satinwood, sycamore, etc., have to
be jointed, a little flake white should be procured and mixed into the
liquid glue. This will prevent the glue showing a thin black line on the
joint.

Broad surfaces of close-grained hardwood having a shiny surface are
usually carefully roughened with a fine toothing plane blade previous to
glueing.

SUPPORTING THE JOINT.--The jointed boards should not be reared up against
a "bench leg" or wall without having any support in the centre, as dotted
line at Fig. 5, because in all probability they will fracture before the
glue has time to set; and, when we go to take them up to renew working
operations, we shall be annoyed to find that they have assumed a
position similar to that at Fig. 5 (shown exaggerated), and this will, of
course, necessitate re-jointing.

[Illustration: Fig. 3.--Correct Jointing.]

[Illustration: Fig. 4.--Faulty Jointing.]

[Illustration: Fig. 5.--Boards unsupported.]

[Illustration: Fig. 6.--Boards supported.]

[Illustration: Fig. 7.--(A) Glued Slip, (B) Glued Moulding.]

[Illustration: Fig. 8.--Grain alternating.]

A correct meth