Replies

1. 
   stevieray | Oct 14, 2023 07:22am | #1

   I'm not sure, but there are situations where a M&T is impossible but a loose tenon would work.

1. 
   3steers | Oct 14, 2023 10:00am | #2

   I am a simple soul with limited experience ( 30 years - 1 to 2 projects per year). I have rolled the idea of using loose tenons where a M&T is impossible around in my brain, and I haven't come up with anything. Once the loose tenon is installed in one mortice, the joint becomes, in all respects a M&T joint with the same constraints on fitting the joint together. What am I missing? There may be other advantages in speed or ease of construction, based on one's experience and available tool set, but the space required for fitting the tenon into the mortice is still there.

1. 
   user-7627473 | Oct 14, 2023 10:06am | #3

   Not the situation of the orig. post - but you could hypothetically have wound up with a wood member that for some reason (mistake etc) was not long enough to create a tenon e.g. Then loose tenon would be an option.

2. 
   bilyo | Oct 14, 2023 10:21am | #4

   I don't know the precise answer to the question, but my reasoning says that the difference is so small as to be meaningless in your day to day work. Do which ever seems appropriate for the situation.

3. 
   Deleted | Oct 14, 2023 10:22am | #5

   “[Deleted]”

4. 
   john_c2 | Oct 14, 2023 10:41am | #6

   There have been a few very detailed comparisons of the strength of various joints. FWW did a Joinery Shootout in issue 203. I believe half lap and bridle joints were strongest, followed by a regular mortise and tenon. That was due to the larger glue surface in the first two joints.

   The choice will depend on your skill level, available tools, time, and the specific application. M&T and loose M&T are both fine.