Anyone have a jig for making wide half laps?

[Dumb_Polack]

Hi,

I'm rebuilding the lattice that sits on top of our fence.  The original just had the slats stapled where they meet and many of them have failed.  The 2nd picture shows the assembly jig I made.  You'll note that some of the squares have been removed in order to make is easy for the slat pieces to fit.  (In retrospect, I probably didn't need a square at every intersection point...oh well...I had some time on Saturday with nothing to do).


The 3rd picture shows my TS jig to cut the wide dadoes.  The problem is that I can't make a dado the width of the slats (IIRC, they're about 1 7/16" wide).  I seem to recall there's some sort of half-lap jig that allows the key to be slid over once you make the 1st cut to accommodate the entire width of the slat, but I can't seem to find it.  The front fence slides to the right somehow??  (Did the Woodsmith Shop do an episode where they made one?)  

I realize it'll be a lot of bending over the TS to make my cuts.  I think I've got 4 8 feet sections and 2 smaller sections to make.  Ouch.

Also I'd rather got the TS route vs the router route as I think the TS will be more accurate, once I get the jig dialed in.

Got any plans/sites that show how to build one?

[Bob10]

Hi,

I'm rebuilding the lattice that sits on top of our fence.  The original just had the slats stapled where they meet and many of them have failed.  The 2nd picture shows the assembly jig I made.  You'll note that some of the squares have been removed in order to make is easy for the slat pieces to fit.  (In retrospect, I probably didn't need a square at every intersection point...oh well...I had some time on Saturday with nothing to do).


The 3rd picture shows my TS jig to cut the wide dadoes.  The problem is that I can't make a dado the width of the slats (IIRC, they're about 1 7/16" wide).  I seem to recall there's some sort of half-lap jig that allows the key to be slid over once you make the 1st cut to accommodate the entire width of the slat, but I can't seem to find it.  The front fence slides to the right somehow??  (Did the Woodsmith Shop do an episode where they made one?)  

I realize it'll be a lot of bending over the TS to make my cuts.  I think I've got 4 8 feet sections and 2 smaller sections to make.  Ouch.

Also I'd rather got the TS route vs the router route as I think the TS will be more accurate, once I get the jig dialed in.

Got any plans/sites that show how to build one?

why wouldn't you set it up like a regular box joint jig? instead of that buried guide all you would need is one buried and spacers to allow more than one cut I am not sure that was clear enough but that's what I am going to do to make beehive boxes

[Dumb_Polack]

why wouldn't you set it up like a regular box joint jig? instead of that buried guide all you would need is one buried and spacers to allow more than one cut I am not sure that was clear enough but that's what I am going to do to make beehive boxes

Hmmm....let me think about that one.  Good idea!!


(When I made the box joints for my beehives my dado was wide enough so this wasn't an issue)

[jteneyck]

I don't see the point except to make a lot of work.  Glue the lap joints and staple them.  Half laps are just an opportunity for water to get in and cause problems.  

John

[Dumb_Polack]

I don't see the point except to make a lot of work.  Glue the lap joints and staple them.  Half laps are just an opportunity for water to get in and cause problems.  

John

Well, they were stapled before and they failed.  (the lattice is 24+ years old so I guess it earned it's keep)

They used really thin staples and I just have your typical silver, Arrow staple gun that can't shoot thin staples.


Also, I've got the time to do it this way 

[jteneyck]

Well, they were stapled before and they failed.  (the lattice is 24+ years old so I guess it earned it's keep)

They used really thin staples and I just have your typical silver, Arrow staple gun that can't shoot thin staples.


Also, I've got the time to do it this way 

I doubt they were glued.  A pneumatic stapler at HF is $15.  Shoot staples longer than the thickness of your two boards, then clinch them on the back side.  They aren't coming apart.  

John

[Bob10]

Hmmm....let me think about that one.  Good idea!!


(When I made the box joints for my beehives my dado was wide enough so this wasn't an issue)

The joints I am looking at are 7/8" or an inch I have to measure them again. What did you make yours with.

[Dumb_Polack]

The joints I am looking at are 7/8" or an inch I have to measure them again. What did you make yours with.

IIRC my joints were (are) 1/2" or close to that.  One pass with the stacked dado blades did the trick.

[wjt]

Attached is a half lap jig I made. Probably overly complex but it works.

Bill

[Gary G™]

Gotta agree with John on this.
However, if you’re hellbent on doing a thousand halflap joints, look up Router dado jig.
There’s lots and lots of videos and free guides.

Plan on doing lots of yearly maintenance too.