Difference in x-notching

[Dave Bagwill]

I was looking at two sets of plans I'd bought long ago from Georgia Luthier Supply. A 000 set and a 00 set.

The x joint in the 000 is what we most often use and see - each brace notched and then glued as half-laps, basically.

But when I blew up to picture of the 00 x-braces, I saw this - and would like your comments. (A close-up and a larger view attached)

[John Parchem]

Interesting, maybe he thought the bracing was a bit stiff.

[Dave Bagwill]

Maybe so, hadn't thought of that.
Reading more closely on a different page of the plans, though, I just spotted this: (Coping one of the braces?)

(I just emailed the pictures to the drawer of the plans and asked the question about half-lap vs coping and tongue/groove)

[Dave Bagwill]

I have not heard back from the drawer of the plans.

But I do notice a number of you have viewed the thread - any other ideas about that x-joint? Does it look strong enough?

[ken cierp]

In my view that is an idea doomed to fail. The intersection is supposed to be able to distribute the rocking load equally. Beside a normal X configuration does have TG construction, so that coping makes a weaker joint since there is no load resistance on the top half of the coped brace.

[Dave Bagwill]

Thanks Ken, that makes sense to me.
Though I've never been the same since seeing this R. Taylor scheme:

[ken cierp]

As I see it -- the coped feature in the example pictured, with all the torque and flexing that goes on in that area seems placing the weakest point at that location presents a prime spot for a split, of course I could be all wet.