mpis

Hello,

I made several things that had a cross like structure in a mirror or with glass. I have found that when the wood moves that it pulls the end grain parts away from the top as shown in the pic.

Does anyone have a better idea how to hold these together ?

This was using purple heart and red oak.. Is there a way to make this joint stronger as it is only about 3/8" to maybe 1/2" or so. Never any larger than 1/2"..

I have thought about using a router to make a 1/16" cut or so and glue a spline or something in the back but then you may see it in the mirror from the backing ?

Any ideas ?


Thank you for the help and time.
Jody

Attached Thumbnails

 

GeorgeC

Are we having a site problem this morning?

I am not getting any pictures. Only a box with the statement "attached thumbnails."

G

RussBoyd

You could try a half lap joint. You would cut a groove (dado) in the bottom piece, then overlap the upright piece on to it. That would give you glueing surface as well as room for a pin or small screw. I am assuming you used glue at the joint originally. I don't really see why it would pull apart with glue. Maybe some of the other guys can enlighten us.

johnv51

I would go for a dovetail joint. That should eliminate the pull apart problem.

__________________
Spilling wine on oak does not make it purpleheart!

RussBoyd

VERY good advice. Go with it.

woodnthings

Could we have a "wood movement" issue here rather than a joint strength problem, granted a dovetail would be less prone to pull apart and a blind dovetail wouldn't show from the front. Does purpleheart move more than others? There is not a lot of glue surface to work with either way, it's tiny joint. Consider a purple heart pin/dowel? Oh, just silicone/epoxy the whole thing to the mirror and call it done!...Maybe? bill

__________________
Never stand directly in front of a horse or tablesaw that's running!
If you're not making dust, you're gathering it. After I reread my own posts, I agree with myself even more.

mpis

Thank you all..

The wood purple heart in the pic is only about 3/8" to maybe 1/2" cant rem off hand. I did glue this joint but it was end grain against the long grain which make a weak glue joint.

I was wonder if this is possible..

Since most blades on a table saw are 1/16 or so could I cut a small slot in the back and then place a 1/16" inch spline into that slot?

The major problem is that the mirror reflects the back of the wood or the back of the purple heart some what. So you can see what is behind it.

I thought about a lap joint but not sure if this would work as sometimes it is hard to get a good fit with this stuff.


It seems that it is hard to do this as it seems that the larger boards move around the frame and then the purple heart is a small joint and it will pull apart.

Any other ideas ?

Thank you
Jody

PS: The purple heart is usually around 3/8" x 3/8" or around 1/2" x 1/2"