: John - I've never seen any reference to half laps for joining strips, but I
: have used scarf joints extensively, with no problems at all. I just
: finished a write up on using them. See my web site extension. Scarf on!! -
: John

Hi John's

The half lap joint is an excellent and very strong joint and gives you slightly more glue area than the scharf. It is true that glueing the edge grain is much stronger than the end grain, but, the half lap has some of that endgrain, and may just lessen the strengh of the joint. I think it would be a bit more difficult makeing an accurate lap joint on something this small and would not benefit to any significant degree for the size of material being used. The scharf joint, using a decent jig, is much easier to make and very strong. You after all are not truely useing end grain with a scharf. That is why the long 12 : 1 joint is recommended. The closer you get to a butt joint, the less strength you end up with. I have thought about useing the lap joint, but, on something like the stringers for my Walrus, which are 3/4" x 1", and incorporating dowels through the joint instead of screws such as Putz uses in his joints. Makes for a nicer looking joint as well.

In my Opinion, use the shcarf joint for the strips, and if you are building something with some meat to it, use the half-lap. Hope this helps.

Rehd