Hello all,


I need some help. I have made some outdoor benches that required 45 degree miter cuts. I doweled and glued these joints together. This is made out of redwood. Due to the cold one of the joints has split open about 1/8th inch. I am thinking about adding a spline kerf to it but im a bit confused on how to do so. I have read the advantages about grain pattern and everything with the kerf and i know how to cut the splines on my table saw. But where do you find the material for the joint? Is this something i just run off small cuts on the table saw? is there premade pieces i can buy?

Thanks

Hmmm ... sounds like you may have a few issues going on here. Redwood is hard to glue due to the the resins in the wood that always seem to confound most glues. In terms of using a spline, you will want something that is equally weather proof (which also means probably harder to glue also due to resins in the wood). You might try some straight grained teak if you can find a small quantity. Make your spline cut first, then cut your spline to fit snugly and glue it in.
I am concerned about the 1/8 gap however, it would be nice to fill this with something to keep water out, otherwise I fear it is going to get worse.