Reinforcing the cross joint in the X braces

[MaineGeezer]

What has been done to reinforce the X brace cross joint? I understand that Martin just uses a piece of fabric, while others have used a strip of wood across the joint. What do you do?

[justrfb]

Hello MaineGeezer.
I used to build and "crash" RC airplanes (notice I didn't say I used to "fly" RC airplanes...) so I have a good amount of balsa wood left in my stash. I use balsa wood to fill in the X brace joint. It shapes easily and is relatively soft so I figured it is a perfect fit (no pun intended).

Sincerely,
Rich

[B. Howard]

Though either way works fine I use a wooden cap.

[Ben-Had]

Traditional cotton patch.

[tippie53]

In 15 years I have had to repair many wood caps, but I never seen a cloth patch fail. Find what works for you. Martin uses cloth since 1833, so it has a long history.
There are differences of opinion, so both can work. The end grain glue joint is the weakest glue joint. The load is applied differently than a beam as this is under both compression and rotation.

Have fun. No true discovery is accomplished by status quo thinking.

[sylvan]

If you make a good, tight joint (without voids or movement) you don't need any patch. Martin uses a patch because they shape the braces before the x brace is cut leaving a "great devoid". Make the joint right.