The mechanical performance of welded wood has a decisive role in its applications. This study was performed to determine the welding conditions that optimized the tensile-shear strength of welded Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). Tensile-shear strength as a function of welding pressure, welding time and holding time(1) was measured according to European standard EN 205. Maximum tensile-shear strength of welded sample was 9.3 MPa that was obtained using 1.3 MPa welding pressure, 2.8 s welding time and 70 s holding time. This tensile-shear strength was about two times that of PVAc-glued samples. According to data evaluation tensile-shear strength could be optimized to 9.7 MPa by increasing the welding time to 3.5 s and decreasing the holding time to 60 s. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2012