I am going to make a ~24" lighthouse for a friend and I am thinking about using a bird's mouth joint to make the tower rather than just using miter joints. It will sit outside so I think that the bird's mouth will be more durable. I am debating about whether to use a bird's mouth router bit or "just" cut the joint on my table saw. Bird's mouth joints are often used to make wooden masts for sailboats and wood columns for houses. The boards will be tapered with 8 sides and ultimately I plan to round the corners to create a truncated cone.
I am looking for tips and pointers. Anyone ever done one either way?
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
