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Wavy joint

MPU

MPU

Sep 21, 2004
3,703
10,692
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Valkeala Finland
#1
I'm planning to make a joint like this, just with longer, shallower waves. My plan is to make a template for one side, then make the other side template with epoxy putty to match exactly the first one. Then route both sides with bearing guided flush trim bit using those templates.
images.jpg

What do you think, does this sound like it would work? I see no reason why it wouldn't.
 
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#3
Making a second mating template is good idea, but how about a lazier option? If the curves are symmetric, you could just rotate your horizontal template about a vertical axis located at the inflection point (the halfway point between a positive and negative wave peak).
 
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#5
cholyoke said:
Making a second mating template is good idea, but how about a lazier option? If the curves are symmetric, you could just rotate your horizontal template about a vertical axis located at the inflection point (the halfway point between a positive and negative wave peak).
Click to expand...
Good idea, not just diy-able at the moment. I'm such a lazy**s that I don't want to spend time finding a shop that could do the templates for me for a reasonable (cheap, or more like free) cost.
 
#7
It will work in theory but your chances of doing matching top / back plate joints without any chip out along the "points" would be minimal. A single damaged point would scrap your project, so factor in the nail-biting.

If doing joints with WAY less curvature you can band saw and add a kerf-sized contrasting wood along the joint. I demonstrated that joint in the "Semi-acoustic short scale fretless" build that I posted a few years back.

See post #10, sequence starting with photos 20 through 28 here:
30” Scale Compact Semi-acoustic Fretless Bass Build
 
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#8
MPU said:
Good idea, not just diy-able at the moment. I'm such a lazy**s that I don't want to spend time finding a shop that could do the templates for me for a reasonable (cheap, or more like free) cost.
Click to expand...

Sorry, my coffee wasn't working well. You said you were going to make one template. Therefore, if you just rotate it, you have made all the templates you need:

rotating-template.jpg


That is the laziest option!
 
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#10
Being able to flip the template assumes the "amplitude" of the waves is perfectly consistent, isnt it? Wouldnt any error would get doubled by flipping it? Short of having it laser or CNC cut, its going to be imperfect, the epoxy method would faithfully mirror the tiniest imperfection. Based on the insane quality of his previous builds, imperfection is not an option for @MPU . :D
 
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#11
There are special router collars available to make the mating pieces. They are used for creating both the inlay and the cavity for the inlay using.
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The difference in collar radius matches the router bit diameter. The original template doesn't even need to be symmetrical.
 
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#12
'scuse my scribbles but here's how the ring and collar shown in the last post work.
InlayRingAndCollar.jpg

With just the collar, from the collar to the far side of the bit is twice the bit diameter.
With the ring and collar, from the collar to the near side of the bit is the same - twice the bit diameter.

So from the same template, you can cut the left and right pieces along the exact same path.
 
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#13
That's about the only way I could think of doing it, other than CNC or Laser cut.

Cool idea, I've often thought of trying that kind of joinery. The great thing is it should be incredibly strong considering all the extra glue surfaces.

Dirk
 

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