matching odd shapes

[jrhart50]

Hi all my ? is how is the best way to match up two pieces of wood butt to butt that are an odd shape like curves or angles and make the joints come out with good fit up.
Thanks for any replies J R Hartman.

 

[indy]

Stack the 2 pieces so they're both cut at the same time.

 

[Jim Adams Customs]

I found if I duct tape them together so they henge on the tape. They will stay together and I can shape them together.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

When you say best you are leaving a lot of doors open.

The guys with a mill will tell you that making a template and milling the mating surfaces will get you a perfect fit. That is how the scales for commercial knives and kits are mated to the bolsters.

For a person with simpler equipment, , tape or tack-glue the wood pieces together and saw them out all at the same time with an 1/8" band saw blade or a scroll saw. The trick to gluing them up and taking them apart is to use Elmer's white glue and put a piece of brown paper bag between each piece in the stack. Clamp up the stack and let it dry. You can cut,turn, carve,sand,etc. and it will stay together. When done, take a thin and sharp blade and tap it into the paper joints. The wood will split apart easily. A quick sand to remove the paper and your done.Another way is to epoxy the stack together. with 5 minute epoxy When done with the fitting, place in a 200F oven ( or the microwave) and then split apart with a sharp knife.
Stacy

 

[jrhart50]

Thanks Stacy I remember the paper and glue trick from school .
I have a small mill but I dont follow what you mean about using a templet.
Any help would be welcome.
I am starting a lock back that I wont to put two pices end to end of different wood like maple and mesquet with a S shape in the middle going cross grain.
thanks J R H

 

[indy]

I've used a couple spots of superglue to keep them together, so far a quick whack on the bench has separated them with no damage. Might just be luck so far though.