"Sonny" wrote in message
The checked trestle leg unit is now flexing at/along the check line.
I'm
prepping it, to apply the epoxy in the crack. I can apply clamps and
close the lower part of the crack by about 1/4", from about 1/2" to
5/16". The top edge of the unit hardly budges, when clamped.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/438361...in/photostream
There are splinters inside the crack, from one side to the other, which
I
hope will help grab on and hold the epoxy, aiding the epoxy to hold the
halves together firmly.
It really doesn't need much help.
Questions:
1) Do you think the epoxy, alone, will hold the two sides, as is, firm
enough, so that there is no flexing at the check line? OR..
I think the epoxy alone would be sufficient.
2) Would you recommend putting dowels, diagonally, on/through the top
and
bottom (3-1/2") edges.... not on the faces, to help secure the check
line
from flexing? I'm considering applying dowels. I don't want to use
metal bolts.
Can't hurt. Why don't you want to use metal?
3) Once epoxied (and doweled?), should I clamp the crack more closed, or
should I leave it as naturally open/wide, as it is unclamped? If I
clamp it, I'm wondering if there will be a significant spring-back, once
the clamps are removed, hence compromising the epoxy bond. It's hard
to
tell how much force the spring-back pressure is, when dry clamping &
releasing. It takes some good strong cranking, on the clamp handles, to
close the crack by 1/4". The first 1/8" closes fairly easy.
I probably would not try to close it. If I did, I'd not use great
pressure, would settle for the1/8th. If you do clamp it (at all) plan on
leaving the clamps on for at least a week...epoxy cures overnight but not
completely for at least a week.
4) Is there any other options to consider, for further
securing/preventing the flexing at the crack line?
Bowtie inserts. Or even diagonally crossing dadoes with wood inserts.
I'd do neither, would wait to see the effects of epoxy alone first.
Thanks for any help.
Sonny
Be sure to scrape out any rot or soft wood from the checks. You'll need
to either thicken the epoxy or put tape across the bottom so the epoxy
doesn't run out. Good luck, it is an interesting project.
--
dadiOH
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