A rabbet (American English) or rebate (British English) is a recess or groove cut into the edge of a piece of machinable material, usually wood. When viewed in cross-section, a rabbet is two-sided and open to the edge or end of the surface into which it is cut.
An example of the use of a rabbet is in a glazing bar where it makes provision for the insertion of the pane of glass and putty. It may also accommodate the edge of the back panel of a cabinet. It is also used in door and casement window jambs, and for shiplap planking. A rabbet can be used to form a joint with another piece of wood (often containing a dado).
Rabbet joints are easy to construct, but are not as strong as some other joints. Nails and screws can be added to help increase the overall strength.
Etymology[edit]
The word rabbet is from Old French rabbat, "a recess into a wall",[1] and rabattre "to beat down".[2] According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "In North America the more usual form is rabbet".[3] The form "rebate" is often pronounced the same way as "rabbet".[3]
Methods[edit]
- A rabbet router using a straight or rebate bit
- Rabbetting or rebate plane or a shoulder plane
- Circular saw with multiple passes (depending on width and depth)
- Dado set in a single pass
- Spindle moulder
- Hand saw and chisel
- Jointer equipped with a rabbet ledge
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Harper, Douglas. "rabbet, n". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ "rabbet". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ a b "rebate, n.2". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
External links[edit]
- . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.
