Read the excerpt from a handicrafts’ manual titled ‘Woodwork Joints’ and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate answer. THE SCARF JOINT
The method known as “scarfing” is used for the joining of timber in the direction of its length, enabling the workman to produce a joint with a smooth or flush appearance on all its faces. One of the simplest forms of scarfed joint is known as the half lap, in which a portion is cut out at the end of each beam or joist, equal in depth to half the full depth of the beam, and of equal length to the required scarf. The two pieces, before they are placed together, form a joint with the projecting part fitting into the recessed portion and the two pieces being secured in their respective positions by screws. A tabled scarf joint is very easy to make and fit, and is not materially affected by shrinkage. Rectangular wrought iron straps are knocked up over the joint after the two pieces engage. A lapped scarf joint is secured with nuts and bolts and effectively resists compressional stress in vertical posts.
THE PUZZLE JOINTS
These are not only interesting in themselves, but are often excellent studies in craftsmanship. The majority of them, if to be satisfactory as puzzles, call for very careful setting out and cutting, entailing the same degree of skill that is demanded for high-class cabinet work. For this reason, several illustrations of examples may well find a place in a volume dealing with woodwork joints. As a rule, these puzzles should be made in hardwood, such as dark walnut or beech, as in whitewood the joints are soon liable to wear.