: Clear wood is a dream around here. So when making my stringers I
: have to scarf them together to get the lengths I need. I cut the
: strips, cut out the knots and then just mate up pieces to get
: the lengths I need. As some of you may know, I had an accident
: about a year ago and mangled my thumb. A small cut off piece was
: launched by the saw blade (apparently, I never saw it) and
: ripped off the nail on my thumb as I was reaching for the power
: switch. Just one of those freak accidents.

: Since then I have been working on improving the scarf jig and after
: several improvements I have what I consider to be a good jig
: now. You stand on the left side of the blade which keeps you out
: of the path of the blade and the line of fire if it tosses a
: cutoff at you. Your hands are well away from the blade. The part
: is securely clamped. The only thing I want to change is to
: replace the two wooden blocks with a solid piece anchored a
: little better to the base. I have just been using scrap as I
: went along. Now that I am happy with it I probably use a 2x4 and
: screw it in from the bottom.

: Oh yea, there is a strip on the the bottom that rides in the miter
: slot. That keeps is straight.

Hi Jeff,

Sort of similiar to mine, except I clamp and capture the piece cut off so it can't go flying or worse slide back and jamb the blade, it's more a sled using both guide slots.

Bill H.