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- Dec 1, 2016
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When cutting a hook scarf in something like a keel or joining two timbers where both sides will show then care has to be taken that the joinery of the surfaces are flat and square. One way to accomplish this is to use a mill and machine the joinery. This is not really cheating because it takes skill as a machinist to cut a perfect joint, however you do not develop the skill of using a knife or the feel of cutting wood. Another thing to consider is the $700.00 to $900.00 investment in a mill as apposed to the less than $75.00 investment in a box of 100 scalpels and a small vice. Once you mastered the sill of a scalpel and the method the results are equal to the best machined joinery. I do not have a list of hints and tips for cutting joinery so i will just describe in detail how i go about the task.
To begin, a piece of electrical tape is used where the scarf will be cut. I use the electrical tape because it gives me a clear and sharp edge.
You can draw the scarf freehand or actually draw it out. On the electrical tape i use pin points to mark out the lines and a scalpel to cut out the shape of the scarf. For clarity i will go through the steps in a drawing. I like drawing the scarf out because it gives me a nice even looking shape. To start i will mark the center of the timber and the center of the scarf like shown in the first sketch. Next two lines are drawn on either side of the horizontal center for the length of the hook and two lines equal distance from the vertical center. Finally the lines are connected for the shape of the hook scarf.
Once the shape of the scarf is cut out of the electrical tape i will rough cut the scarf with a scroll saw.
I line up the edge of the vice with the upper edge of the joint so the tape line is right on the top edge of the vice. You can see the edge of the black tape just below the edge Using a scalpel i shave down the surface until it is level with the top of the vice.
Before removing the piece from the vice i check the surface to make sure it is flat and even. I will check the surface by eye and also use a flat edge and run it along the top of the vice. It is critical all surfaces and flat and no high or low spots
Just to make sure I will give the surface a final check on a flat surface.
satisfied with the first surface of my scarf joint I now will move on to the next cut
To begin, a piece of electrical tape is used where the scarf will be cut. I use the electrical tape because it gives me a clear and sharp edge.
You can draw the scarf freehand or actually draw it out. On the electrical tape i use pin points to mark out the lines and a scalpel to cut out the shape of the scarf. For clarity i will go through the steps in a drawing. I like drawing the scarf out because it gives me a nice even looking shape. To start i will mark the center of the timber and the center of the scarf like shown in the first sketch. Next two lines are drawn on either side of the horizontal center for the length of the hook and two lines equal distance from the vertical center. Finally the lines are connected for the shape of the hook scarf.
Once the shape of the scarf is cut out of the electrical tape i will rough cut the scarf with a scroll saw.
I line up the edge of the vice with the upper edge of the joint so the tape line is right on the top edge of the vice. You can see the edge of the black tape just below the edge Using a scalpel i shave down the surface until it is level with the top of the vice.
Before removing the piece from the vice i check the surface to make sure it is flat and even. I will check the surface by eye and also use a flat edge and run it along the top of the vice. It is critical all surfaces and flat and no high or low spots
Just to make sure I will give the surface a final check on a flat surface.
satisfied with the first surface of my scarf joint I now will move on to the next cut