Jointing wooden worktops

[Bod]

I need to join 2 wooden worktops at right-angles.
I understand not to use a jig type joint as shrinkage will leave a gap, but do I still use the bolt connectors to tighten the butt joint?
I don't have a biscuit jointer, but can do dowels, for alignment, or loose tongues.

Advice please.

Bod

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

You can use a jig, if you make sure the joint is fixed at the front with dowel and glue, to make sure it stays neat there. Allow the rest to float, so seasonal movement is accounted for, and leave a small gap between the back of the worktop and the wall. Hide the gap under an upstand, or under a space below wall tiles etc. if there is a round over on the wooden worktop, no matter how slight, some sort of jiggled joint is essential really. Otherwise the tops will have to be joined whilst their edges are dead square and the round over run on them after the join is made.

Mike.

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

Additionally, if you do not have biscuit jointer, I would put in some sort of loose tongue to keep the surfaces aligned and still use the connector bolts to pull everything together.

Mike.

 

[Racers]

Biscuits or loose tongue, do you have a router? you can use a slot cutter for the biscuits.

Pete