Specification section

3.3
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings

What you need to learn

The advantages and
disadvantages of using the
various knock down fittings
when joining materials and
components.
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
What are knock down fittings?
Knock-down fittings are those that can be put
together easily, normally using only a screw
driver, a drill, a mallet/hammer, Allen key
and other basic tools. They are temporary
joints although many are used to permanently
join together items such as cabinets and other
pieces of furniture that are purchased in a flat
pack.

They are known as component parts.

3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
The different types of
fittings
Screws
Hinges
Dowel joint
Barrel nut and bolt
Cam fitting
T nut and bolt
Corner plate
Chipboard fastener
Block connector
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
Screws Countersunk head
machine screws, also called
When using screws, set screws.
you will need to drill Set screws are also called
a pilot hole before machine screws. They have a
screwing the screw thread that goes right up to
into the material. the head.
This helps to guide
the screw into place, Self tapping screws are
but it must not be so made of hardened steel and
big that the thread cut their
doesnt grip to the own thread as they are
material. screwed in. A tapping size
hole equal to the
core diameter of the screw
should be drilled before the
screw is
This showsThey
inserted. a screw used
are used foras
a joining
knock-down fitting.
thin sheets of metal
and plastics.
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
Hinges
Hinges are flexible joining fittings and can be made from steel, brass
or nylon.
Concealed hinges are strong spring loaded hinges
that can be adjusted once the hinge has been
fitted. They are often used on wardrobe and kitchen
cabinet doors.
Butt hinges are usually let into the edges of
doors and frames so that they are almost hidden
from view when the door is shut. Cupboard and
room doors, lids of small boxes and windows.

Piano hinges are long butt hinges. They allow

the screw
holes to be spread along the whole surface of the
door to give extra holding power. This is useful
when attaching hinges to edges of man made
boards. Piano hinges can be cut with a hacksaw to
the required length. They can be used on pianos
and box and furniture lids.
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
Dowel joint
The dowel joint is basically the same as a
butt joint except dowels are used to hold the
two pieces of wood together instead of
screws and nails

It is important that the holes are

aligned correctly otherwise the joint
will not be square.
You can leave the joints so that they are not
glued if you wanted to take them apart or
glue will make the joint stronger but also
permanent. By using dowels that have
indents, it increases the gluing area. They
are not a knock-down fitting if you glue it.
If used as a knock down fitting you would also use a
screw.
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
Barrel nut and bolt
The nut is placed in the
wood with the hole in it
facing the bolt. The nut
has a thread inside it.

When you do up the screw

the end of it will find the hole
in the nut. You keep the nut
in place with a flat-headed
screw driver.
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
Cam fitting

Use a Philips head screw driver

You will need to line the plug to turn the cam fixture once the
with the cam fixture. plug is in place and the wood
has butted together. This will
lock the plug in place.

These type of
fixtures can be
undone.
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
T nut and bolt
As the bolt is done up, the
t nut grips into the wood.
As there are three prongs
on the nut, it stops the
bolt from undoing.
T
nut
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings

Corner plate
Wing nut

Screw Screw

The two screws connect the plate to the side. The wing nut in
the centre allows you to join the plate to the corner and do it
up tightly.
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
Chipboard fastener
As the screw thread
would not be able to
Rawl plug grip inside the
chipboard, a rawl
plug is placed inside
the hole. This
allows the screw to
grip onto something
Screw and as the screw is
screwed into the
plug, it expands and
allows the screw to
make a strong joint.
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
Block connector
Screws holding the
first block in place.

This is the screw

that can be done up
and undone when
needed.

This fitting allows a piece of furniture to be

taken apart without the need to remove all
screws. This is particularly important in
chipboard constructions as repeated
screwing into chipboard will quickly result in
stripped threads and reduced holding power.
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings
Advantages of uses
knock-down fittings
For manufactures For consumers
3.3 Joining methods (temporary): Knock down
fittings Disadvantages of uses

knock-down fittings
For manufactures For consumers