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scarf joint jig

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jig scarfing
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11K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  rwl7532  
#1 ·
I am making the gunwales for a cedarstrip canoe. They are to be 3/4" by 7/8" by 16' long. I have 12' stock. I want to make a scarf joint 1:12 ratio. Does anyone have a jig or preferred method to cut these angles. Repeatability is a problem.

thanks bearclaw
 
#2 ·
In a couple of weeks I'm going to start building my first "stripper" too, but mine will be a kayak. A lot of builders make a jig for the tablesaw, but I think that I'm going to build one to use a router instead. My idea is similar to the jigs for using a router to surface plane large slabs, but the main difference (other than size) will be that the stock will be held at an angle to the router base (for the 1:8 or 1:12 slope). I'll use a down-shear mortising bit to get a smooth surface for a stronger glue joint. Some builders scarf across the width of the strip, and others across the thickness. I prefer the appearance of scarfing across the thickness, so that's how I'll build my jig. I haven't worked anything out in detail yet, but when I do I'll post the Sketchup model here. My idea is similar to this one, but not as wide because I'll be scarfing thin strips not wide planks.
 
#3 ·
There's a jig here that might be a help to you, even if it's not a router jig.

talkbassDOTcom/forum/f57/scarf-joint-jigs-501205/#post6742621

If you search around guitar-building forums you'll get a lot of ideas because the neck-to-head joint, where there is one, is usually a scarf joint and some guys have come up with clever ideas for making good ones.
 
#6 ·
Just do a search. Use something like 'how to make a scarf joint jig' for your search phrase. That turned up a ton of info, plans, and how tos.
 
#8 ·
Barry, when I made my gunwales, I took a small section of 3/4 x 7/8 stock and drew a diagonal line 9" from one side to the other which is the 3/4" x 12 scarf. I brought this to my table saw and clamped it to the miter and cut it until I came to a cut parallel to my line. This meant modifying my miter with a jig since it wont go to this angle. Once I made the jig I just clamped my longer stock which had the other end supported on a table and cut my scarf. It worked fine.
Fred
 
#11 ·
I watched the guitar jig vid. If done on a band saw, a long piece merely needs to be supported beyond the band saw table.

I make a temporary support using my jointer when band sawing a long piece. Two uprights and a cross member. All held together with C clamps.

Did you have a preferred shop tool for doing your scarfs?