Corner Splines? – looking for advice
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Hello all.
I smashed this dice tray together this afternoon with plans on using splines to reinforce the corners. As usual my project planning goes as far as “this will probably work”, and now I’m not sure what to do.
Because it’s a kind of stretchy octagon, if I cut splines with the saw, they will be way too long. I am pretty happy with it overall, but there are a few corners that are a bit gappier than I’d like (see close up). It’s not ~that~ bad, but it’s end grain gluing and the thing will inevitably be dropped.
Any box makers on here that have an idea how I might strengthen those corners without super long splines?
Thanks in advance.
D.
A couple of options, but others will surely have better options.
First, if you’re dead set on splines which run parallel to the surface on which the octagon sits, is to use a chisel to cut the splines, since a long saw plate will, as you noted, make splines which are too long.
Another option might be a saw with a very short plate, like an Azebiki saw, or some modeling saw. I’m not sure that’ll work, but it might be worth a look. Maybe even one of those rotary tools with a small spinning circular blade? Trying to think outside the box…won’t all be gold 😉
Last thing that occurs to me is to give up on the splines you’re hoping for, and join the segments with vertical splines, like some Arts and Crafts furniture styles used. I think it was called splining boards and, again, I think a matching groove was cut on both boards, like this:
http://www.binkyswoodworking.com/EdgeJointDrawing.jpg