Hi fellow FWWers,
Following up on a previous question about pegging breadboard ends, I wanted to get your thoughts on another breadboard joinery topic. Here’s the details.
The top is 1.75″ thick, 40″ wide, with 5″ wide breadboard end. I was originally thinking of making the tenons half the width of the breadboard (ie: 2.5″), with a 1″ inch haunch.
My question is about the haunch, is 1″ correct for this design, or should I go deeper/shallower?
Any guidance/advice is happily, and respectfully received.
Thanks,
Erick
Replies
We sometimes tend to overthink things. I would be comfortable with the haunch at 1". I would be just as comfortable with it at 3/4" or 1-1/8". I'm sure we could discuss the merits of various dimensions and apply some weird science to it as well. I tend to fall on the "reasonable" side of the line more often than on the 1.16234" side of the line ;-)
GeeDub makes a good point. I think it's a rule, if you don't overthink you can't be a woodworker.
Mikaol
I agree with G-D-B. What benefit would a 2.5" tenon provide? I'm not aware of the "tenon has to be 1/2 of the end width" rule. This deep tenon is more work with no benefit, IMO.
How are you making tenons? I use a hollow chisel mortiuser. I'd make the mortises the same depth as the length of the chisel I would use. Hunches would be whatever. Their real purpose is to hide the groove in the breadboard, and so there is no through gap. 3/4, 1, whatever.
I know of no rule for length of tenons either.
Thanks guys. I'm an engineer and woodworker, so I definitely overthink things.
JFSKSA - the question was about the haunch, not the tenon. The reason for the 2.5" tenon is that this breadboard is nearly 2" thick by 5" long, by 40" wide and it's Hickory, so quite heavy. My thinking is that the eventual owner of the table will likely move the table by lifting the ends, and a small tenon may not hold up over time.
Just an add to jfsksa's comment; I was referring to the haunch. The longer tenons are for support of the breadboard end. You don't want to hang a 5" breadboard on a 1" tongue. Uncle Bill will eat too much turkey at Thanksgiving dinner, lean on it and break things ;-) 5" of breadboard can give one a lot of leverage on the supporting components.
Oops. I see this was already covered. Sorry about that.
I agree on the tenon depth. The haunch 3/4" should be sufficient.
Re: strength, I wonder if the grain pattern is something to consider, ie. quarter sawn vs. rift?
That said, it is 2" thick hickory.
Yeah, I was definitely worried about "Uncle Bill" when I chose the 5" breadboard, but I'm keeping the tenon thickness as close 1" as I can and with the 2.5" length, I'm hoping the mechanics hold up.
You can always reduce the width of the breadboard too. 5 inches is pretty wide,
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