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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/wood-edge-grain-joint-strength

How strong can a good edge-grain glue joint be compared with the wood itself?

As strong as the wood itself.

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  1. About half as strong
  2. As strong as the wood ✔
  3. Only a quarter as strong

Why: Gluing boards edge to edge puts glue on long grain, which bonds very well. A well made edge-grain joint can be as strong as the wood in shear, tension across the grain, and cleavage.

Huh, didn't know that: Shaped edge joints like tongue and groove usually do not test stronger than flat edge joints.

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References

Answer: As strong as the wood. Gluing boards edge to edge puts glue on long grain, which bonds very well. A well made edge-grain joint can be as strong as the wood in shear, tension across the grain, and cleavage.

  1. Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material, FPL-GTR-282 (USDA Forest Products Laboratory, 2021) research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/62200
    can be as strong as the wood in shear parallel to the grain, tension across the grain, and cleavage.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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