Replies

1. 
   [email protected] | Jan 08, 2009 02:42am | #1

   There is data on this all over the place. 

   Mostly it depends on the application which is "better". 

1. 
   dan11 | Jan 08, 2009 02:50am | #2

   what i think i meant to ask was, are loose tenons really tenons, or are they just another form of biscuit joinery?

1. 
   [email protected] | Jan 08, 2009 03:04am | #3

   The strength on a properly designed and executed loose tennon is in most instances equivalent to that of a tennon. 

   The exception is in assemblies like doors, where there is considerable racking load. 

1. 
   dan11 | Jan 08, 2009 04:30am | #5

   the reason i ask, is that to me, if you're going to go through the hassle of properly setting up the joint, why not use a traditional tenon?

1. 
   [email protected] | Jan 08, 2009 05:13am | #7

   The loose tennons can be quite a bit quicker, particularly if you have a tennoning machine, a good jig set up for your router, or a beadlock set up.   

2. 
   Cincinnati | Jan 09, 2009 07:05pm | #8

   Ease & Speed. You can mill one board to size and round the edges then simply cut many tenons to length out of it. Often times a board is so long it is impossible to easily cut an integrated tenon. For example a bed rail or a door stile. Sometimes it's still difficult to cut a mortise there too.Greg

   <!---->•••••••

   Exo 35:30-35<!---->

3. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 09, 2009 07:46pm | #9

   Greg..

   Sometimes it's still difficult to cut a mortise there too...

   You bet! I am making two canopy beds and just this morning I was out in my shop trying to make a jig/fixture to sit on top of the side rails to route the mortises for loose tenons. I got a good fit on a test board the same dimensions except for the length. Perfect fit for what I wanted. Put the real 'stick' into my bench vice and clamped onto it my fixture. And then I found out there was not enough head room for the router to fit. Damn! Now on to make something to hold the router onto the fixture so I can keep the router in place with everything at a steep angle.. Life is hard for a woodworker with poor planning!

   I gave up and went out to shovel the snow for my property and the old lady neighbor. At least when I am finished with the snow the old lady will insist I come in for 'Tea'.. I go because she 'spikes' her Tea with Old Stag Liquor. It has to be at least 99 proof! Good Tea...

   I had a shop made horizontal router fixture that could do it without any problems except for a level roller stand to hold the other end. However I sold it last year to a friend that wanted it. Well, not exactly sold. Gave it away. He died and his wife sold everything at an estate auction. (I think?).

   I love my routers and I do hand cut things when in the mood. BUT! I cut all the pencil posts mortises for loose tenons and the end and side rails for using them also.

   Actually, all my rails are 2 Plus inches over sized in length so that 'fluffy girly things' will fit over the mattress. But the Mom wants room for the frilly things so I dare NOT make them shorter by cutting tenons by hand. One inch is available on each end for hand cut tenons and the bed bolts to hold everything together would work but then no room for the 'Mom's' wants.

   Rock and the Hard place!

    

   Edited 1/9/2009 11:50 am by WillGeorge

2. 
   Cincinnati | Jan 08, 2009 03:44am | #4

   Tenons. They are called tenons. Sorry for being a wise guy. Lots of joints have common elements. Dowels are also not tenons or biscuits.

   Greg

   <!---->•••••••

   Exo 35:30-35<!---->

   Edited 1/7/2009 7:46 pm by Cincinnati

1. 
   Thorvald | Jan 08, 2009 05:12am | #6

   Speaking of wise guys, Tage Frid once told me a nail was a Swedish dowel.  I said, "Hey, be careful! I'm Swedish."  He responded that he was sorry and that he'd try to speak more slowly. 

   Well, I guess that's the sort of thing you'd expect from a Dane.Verne

   If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to cut it up and make something with it . . . what a waste!<!----><!----><!---->