Precision Machined Half Lap Joints for Metal Fabricators

Ready-made steel and aluminum joiners that simplify field assembly, reduce welding, and work beautifully with powder coating.

CNC Machined
Steel + Aluminum
Coating-Ready Options
7 Standard Sizes

Built for the Way You Actually Work

If you fabricate railings or architectural metalwork, you know field joinery eats time. We machine the joints so you don't have to.

Less Welding in the Field

Half lap joints provide strong mechanical connections. Bolt or tack in place instead of running full welds on-site, saving hours per project.

Powder Coat Friendly

Our coated variations include a precise .005" allowance on both mating parts, so your joints still fit perfectly after powder coating.

Match Drilled Options

Choose drilled-and-tapped versions for bolt-together assembly. Countersunk clearance holes on one side, tapped holes on the other - ready to go.

From Our Shop to Your Jobsite

Three steps to cleaner, faster field joinery.

Pick Your Size

Choose from 7 standard horizontal railing bar sizes, from 1/2" x 1" up to 1" x 2".

Choose Your Variation

Plain or drilled, then add countersink or coating allowance as needed - in steel or aluminum.

Request a Quote

Tell us your quantities and we will get back to you with pricing and lead times.

Install on Site

Slide the joint together, bolt or tack weld, and move on. Clean, fast, repeatable connections.

Joint Overlap Part A Part B + Plain or Drilled Steel or Aluminum .005" Coating Opt.

Build Your Joint, Your Way

Every joint ships as a matched pair (Part A + Part B) in steel or aluminum. Start with a base configuration, then add the options you need.

Step 1
Choose Your Base
Plain or Drilled and Tapped
Step 2
Add Options
Countersink (if drilled) + Coating Allowance
Step 3
Pick Size + Material
7 sizes in steel or aluminum

Plain - No Holes

HLJ-1

Plain

  • No holes - clean mating surfaces
  • Tight-fit tolerances
  • Ideal for weld-in-place joints
$X.XX / pair
HLJ-2

Plain + Coating Allowance

  • No holes - clean mating surfaces
  • .005" allowance on both parts
  • Perfect fit after powder coat
$X.XX / pair

Drilled and Tapped - Bolt-Together Assembly

HLJ-3

Drilled + Tapped

  • Match drilled and tapped
  • Standard clearance holes (Part A)
  • Bolt-together field assembly
$X.XX / pair
HLJ-3C

Drilled + Tapped + Countersunk

  • Match drilled and tapped
  • 82-degree countersunk clearance (Part A)
  • Flush fastener heads for clean finish
$X.XX / pair

Drilled and Tapped + Coating Allowance

HLJ-4

Drilled + Tapped + Coating

  • Match drilled and tapped
  • .005" coating allowance
  • Standard clearance holes (Part A)
$X.XX / pair
HLJ-4C

Drilled + Tapped + Countersunk + Coating

  • The full package
  • .005" coating allowance
  • 82-degree countersunk + flush fasteners
$X.XX / pair

Standard Horizontal Railing Bar Sizes

All 7 sizes available in every variation and in both steel and aluminum.

Bar Size Joint Length Thread Spec (Drilled) Materials Price Per Pair
1/2" x 1" 2.50" 5/16-18 UNC Steel Aluminum From $X.XX
1/2" x 1-1/4" 2.63" 3/8-16 UNC Steel Aluminum From $X.XX
1/2" x 1-1/2" 3.25" 3/8-16 UNC Steel Aluminum From $X.XX
1/2" x 2" 4.00" 3/8-16 UNC Steel Aluminum From $X.XX
3/4" x 1-1/2" 3.25" 3/8-16 UNC Steel Aluminum From $X.XX
3/4" x 2" 4.00" 3/8-16 UNC Steel Aluminum From $X.XX
1" x 2" 4.00" 3/8-16 UNC Steel Aluminum From $X.XX

Steel or Aluminum - Your Call

Every size and variation is available in both materials. Match what you are already building with.

Steel

Mild Steel / A36

The industry standard for structural railing. Machines cleanly, welds easily, and takes powder coat like a champ. Our steel joints are precision-machined from solid bar stock for consistent fit across every pair.

Aluminum

6061-T6

Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and increasingly popular in architectural work. Same precision machining, same variations, same reliable fit. Great for coastal installations or anywhere weight matters.

Engineering You Can Trust

Every joint is CNC machined from solid bar stock with tight tolerances. Here is what matters.

Joint Geometry

Standard half lap configuration. Each joint is 2.5x the bar width in total length. The overlap equals the full bar width for maximum contact area.

Coating Allowance

Coated variations (HLJ-2, HLJ-4) add .005" to both the pocket depth and the tongue thickness, giving .005" clearance per side after a standard powder coat.

Fastener Specs

1/2" x 1" size uses 5/16-18 UNC threads. All other sizes use 3/8-16 UNC. Clearance holes are countersunk at 82 degrees for flat head cap screws.

Tolerances

CNC machined to +/- .002" on all critical mating dimensions. Hole patterns are match-drilled on fixture for guaranteed alignment between Part A and Part B.

Part Identification

Every part is laser-engraved with its SKU (e.g. .5x1 HLJ-3A) so you always know which side is which, even on a busy jobsite.

Packaging

Ships as matched pairs (Part A + Part B) in labeled bags. Drilled versions include the correct fastener hardware. Bulk orders ship on pallets.

A Wiemann Metalcraft Product

HalfLaps.com is brought to you by the team behind some of the most recognized architectural metalwork in the country.

Founded in 1940 and based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wiemann Metalcraft is a full-service architectural metal fabrication and blacksmithing firm serving clients across all 50 states and the Caribbean. We create elegant solutions in bronze, steel, stainless steel, and aluminum for both traditional and contemporary projects.

Our 60,000 square foot climate-controlled shop houses CNC equipment, modern forges, laser cutters, 5-axis plasma cutting, and a fully equipped machine shop - the same precision equipment we use to produce every HalfLaps joint.

As NOMMA's most award-winning metal fabricator, we have spent decades building railings, stairs, gates, and architectural metalwork at the highest level. HalfLaps was born from that experience: we know what fabricators need on the jobsite because we are fabricators ourselves.

Visit wmcraft.com
1940
Founded
60K
Sq Ft Shop
50
States Served
#1
NOMMA Awards

Request a Quote

Tell us what you need and we will get back to you with pricing and lead times. Volume discounts available.