Not exactly rafter tails, but the ends of the “joists” of a pergola that run long. They will be either 2X6 or 2X8. The customer wants the ends cut so they’re basically shaped like a roman ogee. I need to cut about 16 of them.
I could use a jig saw, but I don’t have a really good one (yet). Even with a good jig saw, I know it’s going to be slow going. So here are my questions: Is there a better way to do this? If not, what jig saw recommendations can you make?
-Don
Replies
I've cut rafter tail ends with a jigsaw, but the blade tends to bend and the cuts all need to be dressed with a belt sander to look good and "square."
There was an article in a long-ago issue of Fine Homebuilding, showing a guy doing just what you need to do, a pergola, and he was using plywood patterns and a big 3 hp router with a flush trimming bit.
That's what I would do. Rough 'em out with the jigsaw, and trim 'em perfectly clean and pretty with the router.
Heyyy, that was an article I wrote quite awhile ago for issue #89. It's up on my website if you'd like to checkitout.
I still do almost all my corbeled ends (and alot of other stuff) like that. Rough it out with a sabre saw, then use a template and pattern cutting bits. Works like a charm.
http://www.woodsshop.com/article1.htm