I’m creating a Sketchup model of Kevin Rodel’s Prairie Settle from FWW #199 (July/Aug 2008) since the plans mentioned in the article no longer appear in the Taunton store. I’ve run into what I think is a error and hopefully someone here can help me out. On page 41 there is a diagram of a front settle leg with the positioning of the mortise for the top side rail. The back settle legs will need a second mortise on an adjacent side for the top back rail (mortise not shown or referenced in the article). Assuming the second mortise is also 7/8″ from the edge of the leg, then the 1 1/4″ long tenons on the rails will not fit correctly, i.e., the tenons can only be 7/8″ long or they collide. One solution would be to miter the tenons, but I would think that step would have been mentioned in the article. The other more obvious solution (duh) is to just make the tenons shorter. Would there be any structural issues with the shorter tenons? This will be my first attempt at this big a project, so please forgive my beginner’s question.
I’ve attached an x-ray image from Sketchup of the leg, but I can also attach a zip of the .skp file.
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I would leave the original length and cut a 45 degree angle where the tenons meet in the mortise. That way at least one tenon glue surface will be the full length.
That was my initial thought.
Tim Coleman has an article, "Strong Tenons in Skinny Legs", from FWW #236 which describes various options for table legs and aprons. Food for thought.
When I created a SketchUp model of this piece I did as "user-7088830" did and mitered the tenons.
Thanks, Dave! I'm going to assume you left a very slight gap between the mitered tenons for wood expansion?
Did you post the model anywhere? I checked the Sketchup 3D Warehouse and found several of your models, but not this one. The detailed plans are no longer available in the Taunton Store - I've emailed customer support asking if there is a way to get them.
I have run into a couple of other minor issues. The center brace for the seat frames is listed as 25 7/16" long, but according to my model it's actually 25 1/4". Also, unless I'm missing something, the seat frames bump into the legs on the sides so they can't extend all the way flush to the side seat rails. Any help is greatly appreciated.
"I'm going to assume you left a very slight gap between the mitered tenons for wood expansion?"
I didn't leave a gap between the tenons in the model although in the shop I would. Not for expansion as there really won't much change in length. I keep them short in the shop so they don't collide and give air and glue somewhere to go.
"Did you post the model anywhere? I checked the Sketchup 3D Warehouse and found several of your models, but not this one."
No. I don't share my SketchUp models. I give away a lot of my time teaching others how to create their own models in SketchUp but I don't give away my own models. This particular model was done for my own practice and not for a plan.
I wonder which models of mine you found in the 3DWH.
"The center brace for the seat frames is listed as 25 7/16" long, but according to my model it's actually 25 1/4"."
I have 25-1/4 in. too. I probably never even looked at the length for that piece in the article. I just modeled it to fit. I wouldn't worry about it, though.
"Also, unless I'm missing something, the seat frames bump into the legs on the sides"
I notched the outside corners of the seat frames to fit around the legs. If I were building the thing in my shop I might just lop off the corners with a miter.
Dave, thanks so much for your help. I thought about notching the seat frames as well, but I watched Kevin Rodel's 3 videos on creating the seat cushions and he clearly didn't do that. Guess he was ok with the gap...
I totally understand not sharing your models - they can take a considerable amount of time to develop.
As for the 3DWarehouse, 20 models appeared after searching "Dave Richards". As I look more closely, none of them had your name attached, but at least a couple credited you with assistance in developing the model.
I've nearly completed the model - having to guess on the exact placement of the arms, but otherwise it's been fairly straightforward.
Again, thanks for your help.
Glad to know you are getting through the model. Interesting to know that some credited me with assisting them. I guess I should search for myself on there.
Maybe the seat frames should be left short. No idea.
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