Glueing scarf joints

Larry , (1) Using just a scarf joint would work, but probably not for long. (2) I wouldn't rely on epoxy to solve the problem. (3) Adding a dowel would definately help.

You have options here. I scarf joint/dowel is the easiest thing, but probably not the best. If you think you have the skills and/or material to practice on, I'd suggest one of these joints. They are aranged from about the easiest, to more difficult:

1. slot mortise and tenon
2. sliding dovetail (this might look real nice here)
3. finger joint

There are other ways also, but these should get good results. --dave

i've always heard that a scarf joint should be something like 5:1 or 6:1 to be effective. that's far from 45 degrees.

if you're going to scarf them and want any strength, consider a scarf the full length (or close to it) of the spindle. it'll look very cool, be a lot easier to clamp and be about as strong as solid wood.

Regular yellow glue combined with the dowel should be good for this application. IMO no way will the 45d butt joint be strong enough by itself.

Anything less than about 8:1 can hardly be called a scarf.

Forget a 45 degree cut, it won't work.

HTH

Lew

Not a hope. Stick a dowel in there.

You could also make it like a pool cue butt. Those are parallel laminations, not scarfs (so no end grain problems) but because it's a tapered spindle, you get the same visual effect.

Thanks to everybody who replied to my questions. In the end I did dowel this joint, and (knock on wood) so far so good.

I'm posting a picture of the finished project on a.b.p.w

Thanks again!

-Larry