Replies

1. 
   RSRose | Oct 12, 2002 07:37pm | #1

   jj,

   Splines do not increase the strength of a long grain to long grain joint. They just aid in alignment.

   What size jointer do you have? Why do you doubt it's ability to joint 6' pieces? Are its tables warped? If not, and you have sharp knives, have set up the fence absolutely square, there is no reason that you can't properly joint the edges of your work.

   Why do you doubt your table saw? What size is it? A properly set up saw can easily joint work.

   Rich

1. 
   joelj84 | Oct 14, 2002 01:35am | #2

   I have a bosch contractor's saw and an old 4" Delta jointer.  I've got all the boards sawn and jointed(multiple times) and the joints just don't seem to come together well when I dry glue.  Both saw and jointer are set up right, I just think the jointer bed is too short to get a straight edge across 72".

   Should I just draw them together and be done with it?

1. 
   RSRose | Oct 14, 2002 02:17am | #3

   jj,

   A Delta 4" jointer, huh. Hmm. Not so fond memories! I was gladto get rid of mine many years ago.

   Well, it sounds like your infeed and outfeed tables are not properly aligned. Worse, they may not per parallel, in which case, it's not worth trying to fix the machine. If they are parellel even those short beds can properly straighten a 72" board. Or you can add extensions.

   But before you conclude that your joints are poor, can you describe the problem? Where is the gap between two boards? Is it in the middle ofthe length of the joint? Or do the ends of the boards fail to meet?

   If it's the former, you've got a condition that many try to create on a machine that will otherwise joint both boards perfectly straight and true. If so, and the gap is very small, just go ahead and glue up those puppies. The slight gap will help ensure that the ends are tight as the middles of the boards are brought together.

   Unfortunately, such a curve is also being imparted to the faces of your boards. Can you describe the problem?

   Rich

2. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Oct 14, 2002 07:17pm | #4

   You could try to use a straight edge and a router.  Use a spiral bit if you can, it'll give you a better edge.  For your straight edge, you could use one of the many commercially available ones or cut off a factory edge from 1/2" MDF sheet.  I used this for many projects, and it works pretty good.  Any slight variations that I would get would be taken care of in the glue up.  Also use clamping cauls when gluing up to align the boards.  Hope this helps.

   Craig

1. 
   BG | Oct 14, 2002 08:24pm | #5

   Craig,

   I just spent the weekend trying to getting my hard maple boards jointed with hand planes...it was a pain to say the least.  I just kept working at it bit by bit with a 3' straight edge ruler, the planes and a cup of tea (actually several cups of tea).  My boards were 2 1/2 inches thick...it did help to clamp them together and do all three boards at a time.  Good Luck