Subject

Tool chosen depends on the size of the scarf.

I've use both a router and a power plane, each with it's own jig to make
a lot of scarfs on pieces less than about 6" wide.

If sheet goods are involved, then the Gougeon Bros have a neat
attachment for a circular saw.

I would do most anything to avoid a belt sander, they are strictly a
PITA except as an abrasive stock removal tool, IMHO.

Lew

My reaction to belt sanders was the same as yours. I'd borrowed a
neighbor's contractor grade unit made it the 1960s and it was vicious.
Then, a few years ago, I bought a Ryobi BE-321 and it's one of my favorite
tools. Variable speed and a case that lets it be set down on the bench
upside down for use as a fixed sander.
http://www.ryobitools.com/index.php/.../tool/be321vs/

I prefer the electric block plane for making scarfs in plywood, primarily
because I think it leaves the pores open, but the belt sander is a must
have. Yes, by definition it is an abrasive stock removal tool, but the flat
sole and the variable speed allow quite small amounts to be removed.

Roger

http://home.earthlink.net/~derbyrm

"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
ink.net...
Subject

Tool chosen depends on the size of the scarf.

I've use both a router and a power plane, each with it's own jig to make a
lot of scarfs on pieces less than about 6" wide.

If sheet goods are involved, then the Gougeon Bros have a neat attachment
for a circular saw.

I would do most anything to avoid a belt sander, they are strictly a PITA
except as an abrasive stock removal tool, IMHO.

Lew

Roger Derby wrote:
My reaction to belt sanders was the same as yours. I'd borrowed a
neighbor's contractor grade unit made it the 1960s and it was vicious.
Then, a few years ago, I bought a Ryobi BE-321 and it's one of my favorite
tools. Variable speed and a case that lets it be set down on the bench
upside down for use as a fixed sander.
http://www.ryobitools.com/index.php/.../tool/be321vs/

I prefer the electric block plane for making scarfs in plywood, primarily
because I think it leaves the pores open, but the belt sander is a must
have. Yes, by definition it is an abrasive stock removal tool, but the flat
sole and the variable speed allow quite small amounts to be removed.

I don't think anyone is disputing the utility of a belt sander and I
wouldn't be without one, but it's definitely not the best tool for
making scarfs.

I was suggesting that the belt sander will do a good job and if your tool
budget is limited it's more generally useful than a power plane.
I've not been aware of belt sanders leaving grit in the victim and if used
with a fresh belt, they don't close pores badly.
If you worry about nasty stuff a block plane iron might encounter, you can't
build boats. You'll be planing the edge of a glass-sheathed panel soon
enough. Keep the stone handy.

"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
news:lcpaf.3490$5F3.808@trndny03...
Roger Derby wrote:
My reaction to belt sanders was the same as yours. I'd borrowed a
neighbor's contractor grade unit made it the 1960s and it was vicious.
Then, a few years ago, I bought a Ryobi BE-321 and it's one of my
favorite
tools. Variable speed and a case that lets it be set down on the bench
upside down for use as a fixed sander.
http://www.ryobitools.com/index.php/.../tool/be321vs/

I prefer the electric block plane for making scarfs in plywood,
primarily
because I think it leaves the pores open, but the belt sander is a must
have. Yes, by definition it is an abrasive stock removal tool, but the
flat
sole and the variable speed allow quite small amounts to be removed.

I don't think anyone is disputing the utility of a belt sander and I
wouldn't be without one, but it's definitely not the best tool for
making scarfs.

I've not been aware of belt sanders leaving grit in the victim and if used
with a fresh belt, they don't close pores badly.

I brush sanded wood. Seems to clean it up.
Also brush sand paper to clean it.

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On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 14:32:49 GMT, Brian Nystrom
wrote:

I don't think anyone is disputing the utility of a belt sander and I
wouldn't be without one, but it's definitely not the best tool for
making scarfs.

Brian, you can't blow out the sanded area with a high pressure air
gun? I can't imagine ANY sand or grit being left in a sanded area
after a thorough blasting with an air gun using 100+ psi.

Corky Scott

wrote:
On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 14:32:49 GMT, Brian Nystrom
wrote:


I don't think anyone is disputing the utility of a belt sander and I
wouldn't be without one, but it's definitely not the best tool for
making scarfs.


Brian, you can't blow out the sanded area with a high pressure air
gun? I can't imagine ANY sand or grit being left in a sanded area
after a thorough blasting with an air gun using 100+ psi.

Actually, you're as likely to blow grit INTO the pores in the wood as
out of them.

People always say that having a belt sander is a good idea, but I have a
good Bosch one that's been sitting on the shelf for years and years, just
collecting dust. I find that with my Bosch power hand plane, low-angle
block plane, 5" random orbital sander, and 7" random orbital angle sander,
that I just don't need anything else. It's very difficult to do a nice job
of anything with a belt sander ...very easy to get non-level in one
direction or the other and you can't see it happening. Maybe I haven't
found the right wood working project to match up with the belt sander?

Brian D



"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
news:lcpaf.3490$5F3.808@trndny03...
Roger Derby wrote:
My reaction to belt sanders was the same as yours. I'd borrowed a
neighbor's contractor grade unit made it the 1960s and it was vicious.
Then, a few years ago, I bought a Ryobi BE-321 and it's one of my
favorite tools. Variable speed and a case that lets it be set down on
the bench upside down for use as a fixed sander.
http://www.ryobitools.com/index.php/.../tool/be321vs/

I prefer the electric block plane for making scarfs in plywood, primarily
because I think it leaves the pores open, but the belt sander is a must
have. Yes, by definition it is an abrasive stock removal tool, but the
flat sole and the variable speed allow quite small amounts to be removed.

I don't think anyone is disputing the utility of a belt sander and I
wouldn't be without one, but it's definitely not the best tool for making
scarfs.

I agree that both are equally likely. Both likelihoods are about zero.

"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
news:%D2bf.233$SV1.39@trndny01...
wrote:
On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 14:32:49 GMT, Brian Nystrom
wrote:


I don't think anyone is disputing the utility of a belt sander and I
wouldn't be without one, but it's definitely not the best tool for
making scarfs.


Brian, you can't blow out the sanded area with a high pressure air
gun? I can't imagine ANY sand or grit being left in a sanded area
after a thorough blasting with an air gun using 100+ psi.

Actually, you're as likely to blow grit INTO the pores in the wood as
out of them.

Here's a free opinion (and I've made a lot of scarfs ...never a failure
either);

- I prefer cut pores, not pores sanded and smooshed flat. Use of a circular
saw attachment (followed by a low-angle block plane finish) or a power hand
plane is what I do in my shop. I want the epoxy to suck as deeply in the
wood as possible, and judging by how many coats it takes to keep the cut
edges looking wet (3 coats, sometimes a 4th), I'd say that the epoxy is
going SOMEWHERE where it's doing some good for the strength of the joint.
Right into the pores.

- I vacuum scarf joints with a ShopVac prior to gluing. Then I wipe down
with a damp hand towel and let it dry for 20 minutes. Then I pre-wet with 3
or 4 coats of clear epoxy, then glue it up with a mix appropriate to the
task ...straight silica thickener, or silica plus milled glass fiber.

Just my 2-bits. When it comes to scarfing, there are a lot of ways to skin
the cat. I've heard of others having scarfs pop open when bending wood
around a boat, and wonder how many scarfs 'barely held' on others. That's
why I'm careful.

Brian D



"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
news:%D2bf.233$SV1.39@trndny01...
wrote:
On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 14:32:49 GMT, Brian Nystrom
wrote:


I don't think anyone is disputing the utility of a belt sander and I
wouldn't be without one, but it's definitely not the best tool for making
scarfs.


Brian, you can't blow out the sanded area with a high pressure air
gun? I can't imagine ANY sand or grit being left in a sanded area
after a thorough blasting with an air gun using 100+ psi.

Actually, you're as likely to blow grit INTO the pores in the wood as out
of them.