There are so many issues there... it's apples and oranges, production vs craftsman. So many of my apprentices know it all after 4 or 5 yrs, it's typical for young pups. I did production work to put myself through college the second time, did that nasty subdivision route with a stair & trim company... someone has to do it, and it's a good place to learn. A 45 scarf joint will seperate, all joints will to a degree. Crown shrinks in length it's the nature of the wood, a larger surface more secure joint the added degree of cut less degree of seperation simple, but you would need to go back and see your work 1 or 2 years later. High end work you need to take care of the finer details. Cutting crown on flat is also preferred, as it is precise control of the angles but it takes an understanding of the mathematics involved, so a little more intense for beginners. Making a mock fence to cut on the spring angle will produce the quality it implies paint grade production, but fast albeit. The old school way system of placing crown became that over years of professionals going through the phases you are at now, perhaps in time you will, as I did, come back to it.. but doing a project as fast as you can as in production work doesn't call for that quality of work understandably. Who cares, get it up get on to the next one and another 3000 ft. Using a long nail into the top plate? I suppose that would work with a 3" crown and a looong nail, 6 1/2" dental mahogany may prove a little more difficult. Anyway, it's good to have discussion on basics sometimes. You get to see both sides from the ancient "grognard" craftsman to the pups who have done it and now know. ;^) |
Moderated by Mark Hammond 
