Anyone have a jig for making wide half laps?

[Bob Vaughan]

in 1988 I did a bunch of lattice panels.  I used a block jig similar to the one shown.  I used stainless staples (aluminum would do).  The trick that worked for me was to put a dab of resorcinol glue at each joint. Even though resorcinol was slow curing, I still had to mix up small fresh batches and let the glue set up overnight on each panel.  I cut the slats long and trimmed the panel with a straightedge once the glue was cured.  The framing rotted some so I replaced it a couple of years ago but the lattice panels were still tight.

Granted, the holes in my lattice were larger.

Maybe today a slow setting epoxy would work.  I'd never trust Titebond III for this job, but a good waterproof marine grade adhesive will make all the difference in durability along with several coats of high quality paint.

   

   

[Dumb_Polack]

Had a long car ride with SWMBO and asked her opinion too.  We discussed it and I think I'll be going the router jig route.  I figure I'll attach a "key" the width  (and distance) I need so that after I cut the initial slot, the key can sit in that freshly cut slot and it'll then sit in the 3rd, 45h, 5th, etc slots as I go down my lattice pieces.

Since I bought some 5" x 5" white cedar posts, I should get 3 (maybe even 4) individual pieces from each pass across the width of the post.  I'll then rip them off the 3-4 pieces off of the cedar post (I'll need to flip it over as my TS blade can't cut through 5" in 1 pass) and then I'll rip the individual lattice pieces for this wide blank.


Hope that makes sense.


I'll post a picture of the jig I'll make and the post once I've made a pass across it.


Good thing my lattice pieces are 23" (ish) wide.  I'll be easier to wrestle with the posts when I cut them down to 2 feet sections first and then do the routing (and subsequent cutting on the TS to free each piece).

[Bob10]

If I ever need a bunch of boxes I will try to come up with this. I keep looking at it thinking it looks easy enough yet I think that is what is holding me back
it can't be that easy

[Ray Newman]

"I keep looking at it thinking it looks easy enough yet I think that is what is holding me back. It can't be that easy."
--Bob10

agreed. That's what I thought.

[Gary G™]

That looks pretty good; I can see several variations of use for it.

[mdhills]

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.

were the staples rated for outdoor use?  (i.e., did the staple itself fail, or did the lattice boards just loosen from the staples)

I'd normally do half-laps if I need the mechanical support from the half-lap shoulders.  But I don't think that is much of a factor for a lattice like this.

How is the rest of the fence holding up?

[Bob10]

That looks pretty good; I can see several variations of use for it.

The wood flaps are on a rod and can be switched out for different sizes