Posted by Andy on February 14, 1999 at 09:21:14:
In Reply to: scarfing jig posted by robin fisher on June 17, 1998 at 22:45:49:
: I'm just getting started building my first of many boats, and need a scarfing jig to join pieces of ply.
: if you know where i can get a jig or plans for one please let me know
I don't know about all you guy's scarfin around,
but I wouldn't waste my time. You're taking a chance with the super fine feathered edges flakin loose. I would take the $30 and go to Wally World and buy a cheap router, then take a piece of
scrap ply (of the ply your going to use)and set the router bit (just any flat plunge bit, diameter
doesn't matter)to approximately 1/2 thickness of ply, run router back and forth for 2 or 3 inches, up to a squared, clamped, stop. Remove ply, split
in half, and flap it back over on itself to conferm depth of bit (you can do this several times and get a perfectly flush match) Now that your router is perfect, lay the two pieces of ply your joining on a solid flat surface side by side,
make sure ends are matched, even steven, flush.
Nail, screw, or clamp a straight edge across both sheets, back 4" - 6" - 8" or a foot if ya want.
(you don't have to worry about 12 to 1, or 15 to 1
Triple check your straight edge for parrallel.
Keep finger pressure on router base on good side of ply, as opposed to the side that's ploughed out, concentrate on keeping router level. Take those puppys out, flip one over, glue em together,
light sanding, (I always try and smear just a little glue in the seams, and then fast sand, sanding dust is same as wood your sanding, joint
sometimes almost disappears) You can glas/poxy both sides or whatever. I think it makes a lot stronger joint, especially when your working with thin plys, 1/8" and 1/4"