How do you join long runs of molding?

[Eric Gustafson]

I am curious what the accepted practice is for joining shorter lengths of hardwood molding to fit long runs. Suggestions?

[John Harden]

For paint grade work, I'd just use finger joints. For molding that will have a clear finish, I'd use a scarf joint, just as you would for crown molding, etc.

Regards,

John

[Peter Koutsovitis]

Use a scarf joint and make sure you glue the joint very, very well.

[Van Huskey]

Use a scarf joint and make sure you glue the joint very, very well.

Agreed, the best way to go.

[David Werkheiser]

I scarf cut and do a biscuit joint indexing off the back side, cutting a #20 slot but inserting a #10 biscuit (due to the inside miter cut). I will further add a glued and screwed strip of 1/2" ply on the back side. Gone back to job sites 5 yrs later and joint is still tight.
David Werkheiser

[glenn bradley]

+1 on scarf. I extended some of my cleat wall system cleats this way and no failures despite many moves of fixtures.

[Peter Quinn]

A long scarf joint can be nearly invisible. You can make a jig for a SCMS to basically hold the miters at 20 degrees off of 90, like a large plywood sine block. I imagine the same could work on the TS with the right sled. It gives a good glue joint that can be clamped or pinned. For paint grade work we run long lengths. How short are you talking? Too many shorts in stain grade can give a pretty choppy look. Much more than one or two joints in 20' is pushing it.

Not sure if that was clear, but basically I'm talking about cutting a 70-80 degree miter like a shipscarf.

[Glen Butler]

Ok, "scarf joint" is a new term. Please explain.

[Dave Falkenstein]

Ok, "scarf joint" is a new term. Please explain.

Here's a decent description:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarf_joint

[Doug Hobkirk]

Ok, "scarf joint" is a new term. Please explain.

Link #1 by Google is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarf_joint

[tim weidman]

ditto on the scarf joint. just made a piece to go on floor between kitchen and living room in the house my brother just flipped and except for the slight grain difference you could hardly tell it was 2 pieces. came out better than i expected if i say so myself!

[Leo Graywacz]

Biscuit and glue, clamp and sand.

If you are on site, scarf joint with glue on a stud.

[Paul Greathouse]

ditto on the scarf joint. just made a piece to go on floor between kitchen and living room in the house my brother just flipped and except for the slight grain difference you could hardly tell it was 2 pieces. came out better than i expected if i say so myself!

There's a term I haven't heard in a while (flipped house). I thought the bad economy killed all that action.

[Glen Butler]

Oh I use that joint all the time. Didn't know it had a name. Thanks.

[Aaron Wingert]

Be sure to take the time to glue the scarf joint!

I take it a step further when running crown molding and install an angled backer (8 or 10" long more or less) that sits against the back of the crown at the joint. I glue the crown to the wood backer and I also use three or four pin nails from my pinner right through the scarf joint to keep it perfectly positioned.