Hey Myrl,

No, it's not for a scarf joint. It's for stitching the panels together. The plans recommend a 45 degree bevel. Since there isn't a lot of twisting or curve involved, I think a uniform angle will work fine. It's less for a snug fit than for a neat line where the panels come together. Any gap on the inside will be filled with the fillet. Your idea of a guide piece clamped to the panel will work for the places that the panel is straight. Unfortunately, it will be curved in places. I may have to just draw a pencil line and wing it.

Patsy

: Hi Patsy,

: I'm not sure why you need a 45 degree angle? But then I'm never build one of
: these. If you are talking about scarfing the strips togheter to make long
: enough panels then you want more than 45 degrees. If you are beveling the
: edges so the panels will fit tightly together along the length, then I
: suspect you will want an angle that is 1/2 the angle that the panels will
: make when they are joined. This angle is unlikely to be 45 degrees, and
: even worse will likely change given the location in the canoe, as the
: panel will twist as it joins together. You would want a rolling bevel

: So first thing is I'd make sure you do need a 45 degree angle.

: Assuming the answer is yes: I'd also recomend using a plane you may get a bit
: of help having a guide strip that is say, 1/2 x 1/2 inch x 2 ft or so. if
: you clamp this so that it is 1/2inch + the thickness of the plywood from
: the edge of the plywood. you can use it as a guide, making sure you do not
: over cut the bevel. The Plane should be at an angle so the tail is on the
: guide, and the blade hits the plywood on a angle (so you do not plane down
: the guide). do a foot or two at a time, and then move to the next section.

: Once again, this is what I might try, I've never actually tried it, but it
: seems reasonable to me. I'd recomend practice piece first though.

: if you try this, let us know how it goes.

: cheers,

: Myrl