What is an adequate size M&T joint for the apron/leg joints in the attached drawing. The material for this End Table is maple. The leg cross sections are just under 2 x 1.5″ (they’re a build up of two 2x.75’s), the mortise will go into the leg face that’s 1.5″ deep, the top and bottom aprons (“A” and “B”) are .75″ thick.
My plan was to make the tenons .25 x 1 (deep) x 3 (2.5 for the bottom apron).
Tom
Edited 3/13/2009 4:14 pm ET by Tom from Owego
Replies
Well, it follows my Rule of Thumb of 3rds and long. So that what I'd do. FWIW!
I just had a similar situation, and that is what I did.
I think the crucial measurement is not the thirds but the length of the tenon. I read recently an article by an esteemed FW expert -- he said he tries to get a miniumum of 1.25 inches of tenon. But, as with my 1.5" legs, 1" is much safer.
Tom,
1" deep, I'd use a barefaced mortice and tenon in this case, 3/8 - 1/2" thick.
Cheers,
eddie
Edited 3/13/2009 8:20 pm by eddiefromAustralia
I always followed the rule of thirds as well. It turns out axioms don't always hold up to real science. In FWW a couple of issues ago they did strength testing on all the common joints and there were some real surprises. For the M & T joint, the 1/4" tenon on 3/4" stock was not near as strong as a 3/8" tenon.
Terry,
Thanks for the info.
Tom
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled