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Reinforcing the cross joint in the X braces
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:29 am
by 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?
Re: Reinforcing the cross joint in the X braces
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:01 am
by 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
Re: Reinforcing the cross joint in the X braces
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:53 am
by B. Howard
Though either way works fine I use a wooden cap.
Re: Reinforcing the cross joint in the X braces
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:10 am
by Ben-Had
Traditional cotton patch.
Re: Reinforcing the cross joint in the X braces
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:30 am
by 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.
Re: Reinforcing the cross joint in the X braces
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 5:24 pm
by 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.