Tongue and Groove

This article will cover what is a tongue and groove joint, why use this joint, and one way of making the joint.

What is a Tongue and Groove joint?

A tongue and groove joint consists of a protruding tongue from one board that fits into a corresponding groove in another board. It is often used in flooring or timber panelling when you have a lot of pieces next to each other and you want them to be aligned.

Figure 1. Tongue and Groove Flooring. Designer: Unknown

What do I need to make it?

The best machine for making a tongue and groove is the router table but it is also possible to use the table saw.

What steps do I take?

Watch this video of making a tongue and groove with dedicated router bits.