Another myth destroyed

[Gene Howe]

This Blew me away

Would you believe that, while end grain to end grain joints fail along the glue joint when they fail, they actually are stronger than long grain to long grain or end grain to long grain joints? 
 

.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

How interesting. A couple of thoughts, 1) that guy has way too much money and time on his hands 2) I probably still won't glue boards end to end for projects...except maybe shop stuff. 3) If I do glue end to end I might still be inclined to put some kind of tenon (maybe a biscuit) in the joint. Even so, I thought his effort was entertaining AND surprising.

[HandyDan]

Thanks Gene.  Quite the eye opener.  I broke a few front cabinet frames apart one time and did notice the strength of the end grain to side grain joints were quite strong.

[kmealy]

The only problem I have with the typical strength test is they only test against one type of force and there are:  shear, compression, tension, racking, cleavage, bending, and peel.

 

I have also found a viscous glue like Quick & Thick works works well on short grain.

[Gene Howe]

Several years ago, Marc Sommerfeld showed his technique for end grain glue ups. He dabs a bit of PVA glue on the end grain of both pieces to be joined, then rubs it in. Then, applies the usual amount of glue and clamps it. I've used that process ever since for end to edge and end to end. Works for me. 

Edited September 5, 2021 by Gene Howe

[kmealy]

Almost all the ww youtubers and many magazines have commented on this.

Here's just one 

 

[Gerald]

OK did he say end grain joint stronger or side grain? he kinda lost me.

[FlGatorwood]

This old vet will continue with reinforcing glue joints and especially end grain joins. I have no science experiments to prove either way, but logically, it seems far more reasonable that tooth picks glued side by side would be much stronger that those glued end to end.  Just my humble opinion.  

[smitty10101]

Part 2:

 

 

 

And the beat (down) goes on. And by the sound of it Part 3 is coming.

[Masonsailor]

I think the initial strength of a joint that involves end grain, whether its end grain to end grain or end grain to any other orientation is very good. The problem arises when the wood expands and contracts over time. That can cause the joint to fail if its not reinforced in some manner. 

Paul