What Is a Timber Frame Scarf Joint And When To Use It

A scarf joint is an invaluable component of timber framing for a variety of reasons. In this video we discuss one type, what it is, when to use it and when not to use it. This is an excerpt from our Purely Post & Beam online course which can be found here: onlinecourses....
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[@benjaminbisson1]

Love that you leave the outtakes in there. Can’t wait to cut one of these!

[@kindredcouches]

Top timber framing question answered! Looking forward to learning about "castle scarf joints" for use in posts.

[@ShelterInstitute]

These videos are so fun to record we would love to build out a “joint library”. We’ll keep them coming!

[@SWC44]

@@ShelterInstitute I BET ALOT TOOK IT A DIFFERENT WAY

[@MarkWilson-ij9jd]

I am building a little cabin and I used a spline to join the middle beams, and I'm very happy with the results, but I'm going to incorporate this join on my next project. Wow.

[@dubeluco]

Love your work, very well explained. I hade done many different designs for the scarf joint. I found one similar to yours but with a rounded corner (inside corner) where will prevent the wood to crack. I see a split crack in the joint (V angle) on yours scarf joint. That is what I'm talking about.

[@dubeluco]

"under squinted stop" where my design is rounded to prevent wood stress and possible to crack the timber.

[@jhosk]

It's a beautiful joint

[@ShelterInstitute]

Truly, one of our favorites!

[@johnleeman5992]

Great explanation . It is a mouthful.

[@ShelterInstitute]

Thank you! It really is

[@johnleeman5992]

@@ShelterInstitute I can believe he did not right that done so he could read it off. But it makes him look human.

[@e2298sg]

So, this wouldn't be used on a post, but is there any joint that would be, or is lengthening a post just something to be avoided generally?

[@ShelterInstitute]

There is a specific scarf joint that we use for posts and plenty of scarf joints that we have not used. In the past we have used it in horse barns to introduce pressure treated timber to the bottom of posts. We will absolutely make a video about that joint next!

[@matthewslayton8941]

Curious how much you offset each mortise in opposite directions to create the wedge?

[@ShelterInstitute]

Complete cut sheets and layout process are included with the full course! Each mortise is 1/8” offset making 1/4” total offset

[@matthewslayton8941]

Would pegging through the tenon be a good idea for a joint like this or would it diminish the value somewhere in the scarf? Thanks! Love your videos

[@ShelterInstitute]

Absolutely

[@gallachobaer]

Great instruction as always!

[@ShelterInstitute]

Thank you!

[@ryanj.hanson6920]

Could this be used for the keel of a boat that is getting tarred and riveted together? Instead of a standard boat scarf?

[@wackojacko1997]

Question: Do you ever run into a problem where the scarf joint at the point where those pieces are "under squinted" risk causing the mating beam to split in that deep V? Is that a risk?

[@ShelterInstitute]

That absolutely can be a problem if it is cut in a way that exerts too much pressure into that “V”. In other words if the two mortises are too offset, it is possible that they could become overdriven and split that “V”. We have been timber framing for 50 years(this year) and have never seen it in practice, but with poor design, it could be possible

[@jefflabrozzi9592]

Yikes say that three times fast. Great explanation.

[@ShelterInstitute]

Thank you! The first step to mastering a scarf joint is learning how to say its name

[@KenDavies-qv3fs]

Excellent

[@ShelterInstitute]

Thank you!

[@benstameister1]

Posts are in compression, beams are in bending, collar ties are in tension. Can a scarfed joint as shown be used without a post??

[@boochathru]

I am wondering the same thing...

[@Tanicly69]

🙌🙌

[@ShelterInstitute]

Thanks for watching!

[@georgewhitehouse8630]

Over a post,is the top of the cord ,wave

[@georgewhitehouse8630]

That is why you will only see them by the brace ,in older frames ❤