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08-20-2009, 05:28 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Trade:
carpentry
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2
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Scarf Joint
Question: When installing baseboard, crown, etc., why is a scarf joint cut at 22.5 degrees and not 45 degrees? Is there a specific reason for this, or is it more of a local tradition? Does anyone do it at 45?
Thanks.
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08-20-2009, 05:40 PM
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#2
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I do that too!
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80% junk,jokes or stupid comments
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Location: Globe, Arizona
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08-20-2009, 06:22 PM
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#3
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Curmudgeon
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carpentry/remodeling/"Yes M'am we do"
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Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)
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08-20-2009, 06:35 PM
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#4
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Pro
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Residential Contractor
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Location: Jensen Beach, FL
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Everybody that I know uses 45*. It's the set stop on most trim saws.
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08-20-2009, 06:35 PM
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#5
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Pompass Ass
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Location: Plant City, Florida
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrWu
Question: When installing baseboard, crown, etc., why is a scarf joint cut at 22.5 degrees and not 45 degrees? Is there a specific reason for this, or is it more of a local tradition? Does anyone do it at 45?
Thanks.
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Because it looks better to have a smaller joint, if it is cut at a 45 it will be longer.
Homeowners will scarf a joint at 45 because they don't know any better.
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08-20-2009, 06:54 PM
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#6
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Pro
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trim carpenter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SE MN
Posts: 1,085
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwalley
Because it looks better to have a smaller joint, if it is cut at a 45 it will be longer.
Homeowners will scarf a joint at 45 because they don't know any better.
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I like a 45* scarf on base... larger area for a glue bond and better cross nailing (larger overlap). Also the bigger the angle the more edge grain you have for a strong glue joint (22.5* and smaller angles mean you are essentially glueing endgrain to endgrain).
Or you can butt and biscuit.
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08-20-2009, 06:59 PM
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#7
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Maker of fine kindleing
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cabinet maker
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Location: Santa Rosa CA
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Whats a scarf joint anyway? 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.
Gus is right.  |
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08-20-2009, 07:47 PM
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#8
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finish carpenter
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finish Carpenter/ renovations
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45 degrees does provide more gluing surface but more prone to shrinking in the pool. therefore i use 22.5 sometimes 30
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cutting some wood
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08-20-2009, 08:15 PM
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#9
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Pro
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carpentry
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Location: Berlin, MA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gus Dering
Whats a scarf joint anyway? |
It's when two lengths of lumber are joined so poorly you just drop a scarf in front of it and pretend it's not there. Similar to a "couch joint." 
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08-20-2009, 08:23 PM
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#10
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Pro
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did someone say joint?
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08-20-2009, 09:54 PM
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#11
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Fentoozler
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gus Dering
Whats a scarf joint anyway? |
It's what hobos pass around in the winter...
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The UD is quite possibly man kinds finest accomplishment.
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08-21-2009, 08:06 AM
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#12
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Pro
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trim carpentry
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Location: south ga
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I use a 45* for the same reasons as Bass, its also the way I was taught
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08-21-2009, 09:14 AM
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#13
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Pro
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carpenter/ handyman
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Ahem, the politically correct police are watching you Celtic.
Steve
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celtic
It's what hobos pass around in the winter...
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08-21-2009, 09:57 AM
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#14
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General Contractor
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General Contractor
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Location: St. Petersburg, FL
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I must be out of touch. I've never even seen 22.5. Besides, isn't it a whole lot quicker to just butt them and use a lot of caulking?
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Bill Everett - St. Petersburg, FL
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08-21-2009, 10:19 AM
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#15
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Pro
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Finish Carpenter
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
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I was taught using 45 but i like 22.5 now. Seems like it's easier to me - especially when making crown scarf joints on the ground. The pieces seem to want to "slip past" each other more with a 45 - especially with a bunch of glue on it - making it difficult to line 'em up.
I like the but joint sometimes with domino's if possible - now that's a tight joint!
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08-21-2009, 03:10 PM
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#16
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Pro
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Carpentry & Remodeling
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I use a 33.5 degree joint 
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08-21-2009, 04:27 PM
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#17
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Super Genius
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It seems to be a regional thing, around here scarfs are 22.5. IMO they look better and are easier to work.
Right now I am repairing some 20 year old vertical cedar siding scarfed at 22.5 that has failed at every joint. Western Red Cedar Lumber Association recommends 45 degrees on anything vertical.
Sorry for the drift.
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