Nautical Term: Lap

Definition of Lap

A lap joint is a type of carpentry joint where one piece is laid over another, forming a lap in between. This joint is commonly used in furniture making, especially for tables and chairs where the joint will be subjected to heavy loads. For instance, in making a lap joint for a table top, the carpenter would carefully cut the pieces to size, mark the positions of the joints, and then lay one piece over the other at the marked positions, using glue and nails or screws to secure the joint in place.

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