Scarf Joints

[Bob Johnson2]

Can't find a way to delete this post, I found a jig I can use.

Wondering if anyone has any tricks for making scarf joints, these will have some stress put on them against both axis. I currently bevel the 2 pieces at about 8 to 1 rough cutting on the bandsaw then using a plane. It's been coming out ok but not great and the planning takes me a couple tries and never comes out perfect or even close to it. I've been using 3/4" x 3/4" cherry, epoxy and clamp till dry. This time it's only 3/8"x3/4".

[Jim Becker]

Make a sled that rides in your saw's miter slot to hold that material steady at the required angle. It should reduce the planing/sanding necessary for a great match in the joint. Like any operation like this, if you can cut the opposite side "in reverse" you'll counter any deviation in the angles from complimentary.

[Bob Johnson2]

Thanks Jim, that's pretty much what I found.

[Steve Jenkins]

I'm fortunate to have a 20" disc sander so I clamp a board to the table at a very slight angle with one end touching the sanding disc. I then just push the piece I am tapering between the disc and the board/fence until I get to a feather end. Works great.

[Scott Banbury]

Bob,

I'd worry that if I planed a scarf and used epoxy the epoxy wouldn't have enough "tooth" to grab or that it would be starved.