Glen-L.com

Hi.
Just started marking out frame members for my 18' Nomad (1st timer). Noticed the plan details mitre (butt) joins and ply gussets. Would lap joins be more advisable/stronger??

Congratulations on the start of your build, NZBuilder.

I would use the plywood gussets, unless there was some reason other than strength to consider. Lap joints are neater looking and sometimes easier to fit floors and ceiling against, but I don't think they would be near as strong as a well-made joint with epoxied and screwed (or nailed) plywood gussets.

Hopefully someone on the forum can tell you if a lap joint would be strong enough for your particular build, which I'm not familiar with.

Good Luck!

_________________
Tom
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Knot-So-Fast (A stretched Bo-Jest design)
Travel Log at www.tomstug.blogspot.com

"It's amazing what one can do when one doesn't know what one can't do." - Garfield

I would say to stick with the butt joints and gussets.
If you want to add additional strength, you can add a filler piece, which would give additional glue area in the joint. I did this for mine, and they are rock solid.

_________________
Jeff

My Celerity build.

Hi NZBuilder

Can you edit your profile to show your location. To the best of my knowledge I am the only other active Glen-L builder at present in NZ, there are lots over the ditch.

In my humble opinion lap joints by themseleves would be weaker, but with the gussets as well they would be stronger. I have done butt joints (as per the plans) and once the glue is setup they are very stiff.

_________________
Building a Monaco....provisionally called "Serenity"
http://glen-l-monaco.blogspot.com/

Cheers guys, was actually meaning lap joins and gussets but I'll stick with the method detailed in the plan. Will upload photo progress as it takes shape.