Woodworking Glossary

Short definitions for 200 woodworking, cabinetmaking, cut list, plywood layout, joinery, lumber, measuring, finishing, and hardware terms. Every glossary page links back to this index and to the full set of terms.

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Cut planning

Cut planning terms

TermKerf TermBlade Kerf TermKerf Allowance TermRip Cut TermCross Cut TermGrain Direction TermCut List TermCut Diagram TermSheet Layout TermCut Sequence TermNest Layout TermOffcut TermScrap TermYield TermWaste Percentage TermPart Rotation TermFixed Orientation TermFinished Face TermReference Edge TermStop Block TermBatch Cutting TermRough Cut TermFinal Cut TermOversize Allowance TermTrim Allowance TermSquare Cut TermBevel Cut TermMiter Cut TermDado Cut TermRabbet Cut TermGroove Cut TermPlunge Cut TermRelief Cut TermTearout TermChipout

Sheet goods

Sheet goods terms

TermPlywood TermMDF TermOSB TermParticle Board TermMelamine TermBaltic Birch TermCabinet Grade Plywood TermMarine Plywood TermHardboard TermVeneer Core TermMDF Core TermParticle Core TermPrefinished Plywood TermPlywood Grade TermFace Veneer TermCore Voids Term4x8 Sheet TermSheet Thickness TermNominal Thickness TermActual Thickness TermPanel Saw TermTrack Saw TermTable Saw TermCircular Saw

Lumber

Lumber terms

TermLumber TermHardwood TermSoftwood TermBoard Foot TermLinear Foot TermNominal Size TermActual Size TermS4S Lumber TermRough Lumber TermDimensional Lumber TermStud TermCommon Board TermMoisture Content TermWood Movement TermCupping TermBowing TermTwist TermCrook TermCrown TermEnd Grain TermFace Grain TermEdge Grain

Joinery

Joinery terms

TermButt Joint TermPocket Hole TermDado Joint TermRabbet Joint TermGroove Joint TermLap Joint TermHalf Lap TermMiter Joint TermMortise and Tenon TermDovetail TermBox Joint TermBiscuit Joint TermDomino Joint TermDowels TermSpline TermTongue and Groove TermShiplap TermFinger Joint TermScarf Joint TermBridle Joint TermFloating Tenon TermLoose Tenon TermGlue Joint TermClamping Pressure TermEdge Glue-Up TermPanel Glue-Up TermCauls TermCountersink TermPilot Hole TermScrew Clearance Hole

Cabinet parts

Cabinet parts terms

TermCabinet Carcass TermFace Frame TermFrameless Cabinet TermBase Cabinet TermWall Cabinet TermTall Cabinet TermCabinet Side TermCabinet Bottom TermCabinet Top TermFixed Shelf TermAdjustable Shelf TermShelf Pin Hole TermBack Panel TermDoor Rail TermDoor Stile TermCenter Panel TermDrawer Box TermDrawer Front TermDrawer Side TermDrawer Bottom TermToe Kick TermScribe Strip TermFiller Strip TermEnd Panel TermStretchers TermCleat TermNailer TermOverlay Door TermInset Door TermReveal

Measuring and layout

Measuring and layout terms

TermTape Measure TermCombination Square TermSpeed Square TermFraming Square TermStraightedge TermChalk Line TermStory Stick TermMarking Knife TermPencil Line TermCalipers TermBevel Gauge TermLevel TermPlumb TermSquare TermOut of Square TermDiagonal Check TermCenterline TermLayout Line TermReference Face TermShims TermScribe Line TermDry Fit TermMockup TermTemplate TermJig TermFence TermFeatherboard TermPush Stick TermZero Clearance Insert

Finishing and hardware

Finishing and hardware terms

TermEdge Banding TermVeneer Tape TermIron-On Edge Banding TermFlush Trim Bit TermRoundover Bit TermChamfer TermSanding Grit TermOrbital Sander TermHand Sanding TermPre-Stain Conditioner TermStain TermDye TermPolyurethane TermWater-Based Finish TermOil-Based Finish TermShellac TermLacquer TermDanish Oil TermWood Filler TermWood Putty TermHinge Cup TermEuro Hinge TermDrawer Slide TermFull Extension Slide TermSoft Close TermShelf Pin TermConfirmat Screw TermPocket Screw TermBrad Nail TermWood Glue