There's lots of ways to scarf strips, however I think sanding is the least efficient - and 45 degrees is way too steep. An eight to one is good as you mentioned.

I made a jig for my Radial Arm saw and I can cut scarfs on 5-7 strips at once in two seconds. All it is is a triangle made of 3/4" x 3/4" stock that presses against the fence and holds a strip(s) at an 8-1 angle. I use some squeeze clamps to hold the cluster so my hand is not near the blade. You can do the same type of thing on the table saw just using the angle guide with a piece of stock screwed to it for added stability and a clamping surface.

Since it's so fast and easy, I put a scarf end on about 60% of my strips when milling. You could also do the exact same thing on a chop saw.

I don't want to speak for Rob, but he used to cut them with a block plane in a little jig he made. It had two angled pieces of wood (wedges) with a spece in between for the strip. The block plane would travel on the two angled pieces keeping the scarf flat and consistent. Nice thing there is no noise, dust etc.