Scarf Joint

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.

CrpntrFrk

http://www.diychatroom.com/

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neolitic

Read this, then we'll talk.
http://www.contractortalk.com/f11/ju...portant-60787/

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Teetorbilt

Everybody that I know uses 45*. It's the set stop on most trim saws.

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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.

basswood

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.

Gus Dering

Whats a scarf joint anyway?

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woodworkbykirk

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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Jeremy E

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."

Kuba

did someone say joint?

Celtic

It's what hobos pass around in the winter...

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mmike032

I use a 45* for the same reasons as Bass, its also the way I was taught

stp57

Ahem, the politically correct police are watching you Celtic.
Steve

Willie T

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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KMac

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!

D.Foster

I use a 33.5 degree joint

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davitk

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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