Half Lap Miters for Frame building?

This was just something I have been thinking about to really stream line frames.  But, the strength of the joint (due to nominal thickness at the lap) would need to be considered.  Is this something that has been tried and just doesn't work.  Or is it because it adds steps that are unnecessary?  I would think that with modern epoxies and fasteners this wouldn't be an issue.  Thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on December 8, 2010 at 9:06pm
A builder named Ostrum (sp) in the Salem, OR area built with half lap miters. Roger Fletcher should chime in and tell us a little about him and let us know If I am remembering that right. I've seen a couple of his boats at our annual boat show. They obviously have held up well and have weathered the years.

That was before modern epoxies so you can have your bottom frames in line with your side frames if you choose.

As a general rule it is thought that the method is not quite as strong and quite a bit more work than the surface joint with screws so the extra work doesn't equal the result. Today I would bet there is very little difference in the strength if the joint is epoxied. So, I'm with you. The only reason to do it is because you like the look.
Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on December 9, 2010 at 7:34am
The frame joint you ponder was indeed used by John Ostrem. He simply liked the way it “dressed up the interior.” The hull of my first McKenzie was built by Ostrem using this inlaid technique. It has had 45 years of use and the frames have held up w/o a problem. I don’t think there is any advantage to this system, other than aesthetics and a demonstration that one can do some nice joinery work. But then, my own experience with it is that I can’t really see a disadvantage either, perhaps because over the years I have avoided BIG BANGS. A.J. might want to chime in re his opinion. He restored a probable-Ostrom-built boat a few years back. Coincidentally, I am using this technique on my furniture items.
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Permalink Reply by Jordan Davis on December 9, 2010 at 9:58am
Rodger

Very nice work on your furniture. I also enjoy building furniture, but the garage is full of boat parts right now :) I like your use of the joint in the picture. Very , very clean and nice. Can we say sexy on this "family" forum?.... :)
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on December 9, 2010 at 8:40am
Nice look. I thought about using this method too, but using full 4/4 material for a little extra meat. It is indeed a nice, clean look.

Oh, and on two of my other boats, I didn't use epoxy on the frame joints. I used 5200 on one and a waterproof gorilla glue on the other.
Permalink Reply by Jordan Davis on December 9, 2010 at 9:58am
Nice! I like to see other people experimenting. it makes me feel better about my own experimentation in adhesives and joints. I guess it all comes down to that first launch...
Permalink Reply by AJ DeRosa on December 10, 2010 at 7:09am

The first time I saw half miter lap joints on a drift boat was in the 70's on my very first boat.  I bought it used and the builder was and still is unknown.  Never thought anything about it cuz I didn't know anything about these wonderful boats at that time.  Fast forward 30+ years and enter Roger Fletcher.  Thanks for sharing your passion with me Roger.  I can now recognize the work of John Ostrem and the Boat Specialties company by the halfmitre lap joints that they used.  Dutch has a retore project in his shop that is an early 50's Boat Specialties Rapid Robert.  The joints say Ostrem.  But here's the question.  Did Ostrem learn the joint while working for Boat Specialties or did he take it to Boat Specialties.  It's the old chicken and the egg debate.  Regardless of who, when or why it is a very cool joint that takes more time and skill to make.

 

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