splicing billets and lams

[walkabout]

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?

[Osagetree]

http://bowyersworkshop.com/splicing1.htm

[walkabout]

very good example, thanks for posting it.

[JamesV]

How do you cut out the fishtail splice

[walkabout]

a single fishtail is just a triangle from the sides of the piece to the center, and the opposite on the other side.

[walkabout]

i use my bandsawto cut them, although im sure its possible with hand saws

[red hill]

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

[Eric Krewson]

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.

[Roy from Pa]

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.

   

   

   

[red hill]

Nice job, Roy.  Mine didn't look quite that nice.

[walkabout]

yea mine definitly arent that nice. my new bandsaw definitly needs tuned.

[IdahoCurt]

Roy, that is a real slick way to lay the splice out,Thanks

[JesuslovinGoose]

I love that you wrote "Stay"... I always forget if I'm cutting or keeping the X

[Roy from Pa]

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:)