Any tips for scarf joint on headstock?

[JeffS]

I haven't seen many scarf joints on mando head stocks. In fact the only ones I have seen have been on instruments which add a violin like scroll on the peghead. Is there a reason they aren't used more often other than Loar didn't do it?

[Chris Baird]

They create an extra high stress joint. They can be done well but is it worth the extra time? I eventually use up the extra wood from my neck blanks so I don't worry about trying to save wood with scarf joints.

[Luthier]

The scarf joint is reinforced once, when the ears are glued on to the sides of the peghead and again when the peghead overlay is glued on to the top of the peghead. This makes for a very strong and secure joint. #It is done mainly to save on materials but if this is not an issue then it is not needed.

Don

[sunburst]

Another thought.
Scarf jointed pegheads are more commonly seen on guitar necks. There is more material saving to be had when milling for scarfed guitar necks than for mando necks. There is less stress from string tension on guitar necks. These have been mentioned.
Here's the other thought. Guitar necks are often made of Mahogany. Mahogany glues like a dream. Any common glue will hold well in mahogany. Mandolin necks are commonly made of Maple. Maple is not considered an easy wood to glue. The standard tests for wood glues are conducted using hard maple. I've always thought that the reasoning behind using maple to test glues was; "whatever results we get using maple, any common wood you're using will be as good or better."

[jim simpson]

I guess the Kentucky's that were showing up on Ebay with failed scarf joints were of the wood saving variety. If it is a weakness then I would definately want I piece of wood for the neck not counting the ears of course. I guess the other wood saving area on a mandolin is the sides (the added wood at the scroll). How does one address this in the blonde finish?

[nar]

If I could jump in here. I always use a scarf joint, but for a different reason. I like the grain to follow the shape of the neck. Most broken pegheads are on necks were the grain runs level to the fretboard. And like Don said the ears and peghead veneer add more than enough strength to the pull of the strings. After 2 or three hundred instruments I have never had a failure.