The scarf joint is indispensable in timber framing when you need to span a length greater than your lumber is long. The scarf joint enables you to join timbers end to end, and there are many variations of this type of joint. In this under squinted stop splayed scarf joint with pegs, the under-squinting is the angle on the cut within the top and bottom faces of the timber; this cut helps to prevent the joint from twisting and locks it in place. In this example the joint is secured with pegs inserted vertically to connect the two beams.
Would the pegs be made from the same timber/wood type? Or a different wood all together given the shearing force of the joint? thanks.
Hi Mike,
You want to use hardwood for all pegs – red oak, ash, locust, white oak are all common species used. See the Timber Frame Engineering Council’s bulletin on pegs (https://timberframehq.com/pegged-connections/). It’s highly technical, but there are a few sections with really good information.
We sell a few different species on the site: https://timberframehq.com/shop/timber-frame-pegs/