160 Half lap joints ?

[rth]

Hi folks, I need some advice on the following please..

I have to cut 160 half lap joints in softwood 45 x 145 x 6000mm, it is too time consuming and downright difficult to attempt by hand therefor I'm thinking of a radial arm saw, does anyone know of such a machine with a cutting depth of at least 80mm or another method of doing the job, thanks.

 

[Mcluma]

A radial arm saw with a dado blade should do it, they are perfect for that job

 

[paulm]

Could you gang a few pieces together at a time and use a router and jig/guide ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[Steve Maskery]

Cross-cut the shoulders first, then bandsaw off the waste. With a blade from Ian John at Tuffsaws you should get a finish that is ready for gluing.

Or cut the waste off vertically on the tablesaw. You will need alternative guarding and a jig to hold it upright, but that is quite straightforward. That is assuming, of course, that have mis-typed the length. Are you really handling piece 6metres long? If so, scrap the TS idea!

Steve

 

[rth]

Thanks for the replies, the joints are 300mm from the end, the cut is 72.5mm, ie half the depth


I would have posted a picture but my"account" on here will not allow it...........unfortunately, a picture paints a thousand words...when allowed..

PS The length IS 6 metres with a joint at each end

 

[Steve Maskery]

Ah, so they are not all at corners. That precludes the bandsaw idea.
RAS with a dado set then ( or LOTS of cuts with a thin-kerf blade.....)

Steve
EDIT - Even that is not going to be easy, is it? It would mean using the blade to a 3" depth of cut and most dado sets won't do that.
I think you are going to have to cut the shoulders with a RAS and then just belt out the waste with a mallet and chisel. Think how fit you'll get!

 

[RogerP]

I would have posted a picture but my"account" on here will not allow it...........unfortunately, a picture paints a thousand words...when allowed..

One more post, to make 3, then from your 4th you'll be able to post pictures .......

 

[jasonB]

Clamp 10-12 of them together and then use a circ saw against a straight edge to cut the two sides then either keep sawing to chew out the waste or knock most out with a chisel and then run the saw through to level the bottom of the cut.

J

 

[rth]

I would have posted a picture but my"account" on here will not allow it...........unfortunately, a picture paints a thousand words...when allowed..

One more post, to make 3, then from your 4th you'll be able to post pictures .......

Here's to number 4 then and the picture the nation has been waiting for...

 

[RogerP]

I would have posted a picture but my"account" on here will not allow it...........unfortunately, a picture paints a thousand words...when allowed..

One more post, to make 3, then from your 4th you'll be able to post pictures .......

Here's to number 4 then and the picture the nation has been waiting for...

Great! Go for it

 

[rth]

from the pic you see the problem, a 72.5 depth of cut..............some good advice here though, I like the dado blade idea and clamping a few together will help in alignment, many thanks..

 

[MickCheese]

What are you making, a log cabin?

Mick

 

[James C]

Am I mistaken is a half lap joint the same as a cross halving joint? Or am I using an Americanism?

 

[Steve Maskery]

Ah, James, I'm glad it's not just me!
I originally had envisaged a corner joint, half and half. I know that as a lap joint. The picture shows what I know as a cross-halving joint. I dare say they both have other names in other places.. Hence the confusion over using a bandsaw...
S

 

[James C]

I did a quick search and half lap seems to bring up a bunch more american sites than uk ones and cross halving seems to be more our side of the pond.

I may be wrong though.

 

[rth]

What are you making, a log cabin?

Mick

Well done, I am chucking this up........

and making a garage to suit from 100mm x 180mm x 6m timber hence the joints.

 

[MickCheese]

Wow, very nice.

I wish you the best of luck and would be very interested in your progress.

Mick

 

[rth]

Being new here I am not too sure what can be posted but if it is alright I will add posts when I get started on the house ?

 

[Oryxdesign]

I'm interested...