When I needed to make several scarf joints for a cover board in a boatbuilding project, I used a router and template to cut the joint’s profile. The challenge was to shape the template so that the inside curve would be identical to the outside curve. Finally, I hit on the idea of using a router bit with the same radius as the joint’s curve and a template bushing with twice the radius. With my router set up this way, all I needed for a template was a simple glued-up block with three straight line edges.

Robert L. Thompson, New Hampton, N.H.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, August 1992 No. 95

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Starrett 4" Double Square

Head is easy to remove, replace, and lock down; narrowest blade, at 5⁄8 in., made it easier to fit into tight places; hard to read under bright lights.

Buy at Woodcraft Buy at Amazon

Veritas Precision Square

This precision square is incredibly versatile, from checking squareness to dialing in machine setups.

Buy at Lee Valley

Veritas Standard Wheel Marking Gauge

A wheel-type gauge is the easiest to use, and this wonderful Veritas model is a steal at $38.

Buy at Lee Valley