BeadLock joinery kit

WOOD magazine rating
Average reader rating
5.0
out of 5
Brand:
Rockler
Model:
34802
Price:
$30

Description

Create rock-solid mortise and tenon joints with just your hand drill and this Beadlock® Kit. Ribbed tenon design prevents racking and increases the amount of precious face-grain glue surface. The result is an extremely strong, totally concealed joint. Included shim set allows you to mortise a variety of stock thicknesses, as well as to offset your mortises.
Features:

  • Patented system overlaps drill bit holes precisely to accept a special Beadlock® loose tenon
  • Mortises in curved and tapered parts are simple
  • For narrow material, rip the tenon stock down to fewer "beads"
  • It's also ideal for reinforcing glass panel cabinet doors
  • Includes four .060" shims, two .030" shims, 3/8" HSS Drill Bit and a molded plastic case with added space for the optional accessory kits
  • All Accessory Kits include corresponding guide block, HSS drill bit and shim set
  • Beveled cutout in the drill plate allows you to precisely align the jig with your reference marks
  • Handles stock thicknesses of 3/4" and up
  • Includes all necessary hardware for cutting 3/8" joints (Tenon stock sold separately)
  • Storage case is molded with additional spacing for optional 1/4" and 1/2" drill block sizes (#38088 and #34985, sold separately)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

(1) Anodized Drill Plate
(1) 3/8" HSS Drill Bit
(1) 3/8" Drill Block
(4) 0.060" Shims
(2) 0.030" Shims

Product Images

WOOD magazine review

Make mortise-and-tenon joinery with a drill bit

Review Summary

BeadLock makes a strong joint because the shape of the tenon stock provides more face-grain gluing surface than a traditional tenon of the same size. And you can drill mortises as deep as the drill bit allows because you cut the tenon to length from longer stock. To make a joint, line up BeadLock's D-shaped window with your pencil mark, then clamp the jig to the board.
Drill three holes with the jig in the “A” setting, then slide it to the “B” setting (essentially moving it half of a hole) and drill two holes between the first three. Because the faceplate extends beyond the drill guide, it limits the jig’s versatility: For field joints, such as the shelves in a bookcase, you’ll need to block up the jig to make it work. We’d also like a stop collar for the drill bit rather than relying on masking tape for a depth gauge. But overall, this makes for decent joinery.

Detailed Ratings

4.8
out of 5

Performance

5

Features

5

Ease of Use

4

Value

5

Reader Reviews

Beadlock System

Review Summary

Very simple to use. Stays square.Strong joints result. I use it for dowels also. Wood bead material very expensive. Cheap,simple strong loose tenon joining for $ 30 . Good value. Bought at Rockler.

Detailed Ratings

5.0
out of 5

Performance

5

Features

5

Ease of Use

5

Value

5

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