how should I glue up two thick boards?

[ScooterX]

I make signs, not cabinets or furniture, so my woodworking applications are a little different than many of the posts here.

I need to edge glue two Western Red Cedar 2x12, about 8' long. I want to end up with a  21" x 1.5" x 94" panel. This panel will be router-carved, painted and used outside.

I thought dowels or maybe the Domino would help, but I need a pretty secure joint along the entire length of the piece. Now I'm leaning towards a tongue-in-groove joint. I'm thinking my T55 saw will  give me a sharp, clean edge to route, so I don't need to use a planer/jointer for the edge. So, I'll saw the edges, route the T-N-G, glue and clamp. Does that sound right? (never done one of those, but now I have the saw and the router, so i can try it.)

 

[clintholeman]

Scooter-

Even as stable as Cedar is, I think you'll need to make sure the grain is going in the same direction.  Domino will work fine for the joints.  If you have to plane or sand them, it would be a very minor effort.

Have you considered using Port Orford Cedar?  It is more stable, splinter free and likely a tighter grain structure.

 

[Les]

Scooter,

You probably want to butt the two pieces together with a cabinet makers triangle marked on both, and then cut as per John Lucas' suggestion. This way the two pieces will be mirrored images of each other and mate perfectly.

 

[Loren Hedahl]

How deep does your router-carving go?

Carving into one of your dominoes could possibly "ruin your whole day".

With judicious domino placement that wouldn't happen.

Loren

 

[ScooterX]

thanks for the tips and ideas everybody!