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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: walkabout on July 03, 2010, 05:01:00 PM

Title: splicing billets and lams
Post by: walkabout on July 03, 2010, 05:01:00 PM
working on an all wood laminate, my first of the kind, and was wondering what the best way to splice billets/lams together was. ive read about the  "Z" splice, as well as the fishtail splice. I have used the fishtail splice with success in other working projects( medieval crossbow prod) but from what i read the z splice has greater gluing surface. also any tricks to get matching splice cuts?
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: Osagetree on July 03, 2010, 07:21:00 PM
http://bowyersworkshop.com/splicing1.htm
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: walkabout on July 03, 2010, 07:23:00 PM
very good example, thanks for posting it.
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: JamesV on July 04, 2010, 12:39:00 PM
How do you cut out the fishtail splice
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: walkabout on July 04, 2010, 01:04:00 PM
a single fishtail is just a triangle from the sides of the piece to the center, and the opposite on the other side.
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: walkabout on July 04, 2010, 01:05:00 PM
i use my bandsawto cut them, although im sure its possible with hand saws
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: red hill on July 06, 2010, 05:07:00 PM
I cut a double fish tail spice this morning before I came to work.  Tomorrow I'll sand the cuts for a better fit.  Didn't take long on a bandsaw.  The website Osagetree posted helped out tremendously.
Stan
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: Eric Krewson on July 07, 2010, 04:14:00 PM
If you get a sloppy cut and a poor fit, heat your splices up with a heat gun and clamp together without glue. The wood will form together for a much better fit.
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: Roy from Pa on July 08, 2010, 04:09:00 PM
I cut them real close with a bandsaw, then finish it up with a rasp. I slide them together and see where it is too tight, then rasp a little bit off and fit them together again. Takes a while but they come out real sweet.

  (http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/IMG_5571.jpg)

  (http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/IMG_5572.jpg)

  (http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/IMG_5575.jpg)
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: red hill on July 08, 2010, 06:19:00 PM
Nice job, Roy.  Mine didn't look quite that nice.
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: walkabout on July 09, 2010, 01:53:00 AM
yea mine definitly arent that nice. my new bandsaw definitly needs tuned.
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: IdahoCurt on July 09, 2010, 08:55:00 PM
Roy, that is a real slick way to lay the splice out,Thanks
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: JesuslovinGoose on July 09, 2010, 09:55:00 PM
I love that you wrote "Stay"... I always forget if I'm cutting or keeping the X
Title: Re: splicing billets and lams
Post by: Roy from Pa on July 10, 2010, 02:31:00 PM
LOL, been there done that myself:) My first few Z splices looked a litte ragged. But the way I do them now works real sweet. When you cut them out with the bandsaw, just barely leave the lines on. Then it's just a matter of fitting them together, marking the tight spots and rasping. When you have them "snug" together, hold the Z-splice and gently tap the end of the billet on the floor. Do not tap too hard as that could split the wood. Been there done that too:)