joining billets

[Onebowonder]

...The biggest secret to a V-splice is to cut a little saw-kerf straight down the limb for 1/4 inch from the point of the V which makes gluing and clamping up the joint much easier as it allows the joint to wriggle into place when clamped.

Cool tip...
Del

I think I understand this, but would appreciate clarification to be certain.  The idea sounds awesome to me!  Is the Kerf to be cut into the tip of the pointed side of the V joint?  ...or is it supposed to be cut into the valley side of the V joint?  ...and do I understand correctly that the kerf is only 1/4 of an inch deep?

...and not to take over the thread, but I'd also like an opinion from the experienced folks here on whether a V joint backed with an 1/8 lam that extended either side of the joint would be just as strong as a W or Z joint?  ...also, might not a fiber wrapping of silk, linen, or sinew saturated in quality glue adequately support a v-splice?  (You might think I was trying not to have to cut another of those DANGED Z splices - - - you would be entirely CORRECT!  )

OneBow

[stuckinthemud]

The kerf length is up to you, its not a precise science, it allows the joint to open or close just a little bit making alignment more straight-forward.  The kerf fills with glue so it does not weaken the joint or form a weakness in the limb.

[Onebowonder]

Thanx Stuck!  As per normal for me, I had it AZZBACKERDZ!    I'll give this a try...

OneBow