Morning!
I’m working on the design for a desk. The top is a burly white oak slab with one live edge, about 120 pounds worth. The supporting structure is also of white oak. I won’t be delivering it to my newly married eldest until they buy their house about half a year from now and 2000 miles from here.
The top will float on the base, which is basically a library table design 62″ X 36″. The legs are 3″ square, and the apron stock is 3″ wide by 1 3/8″. It might be wise to add an inch or three to the front apron at its ends for stability.
It would be good to be able to knock the base down for transport, so I’m considering using wedged, through-tenons [tusk tenons] for the long front and back aprons and the center stretcher.
I’ve never done them. It looks like a go, but are those wedged tenons as easy to do, and as strong and stable as glued and pegged for this heavy thing? What are the pitfalls here?
Edited 12/15/2007 11:05 am ET by craqpot
Edited 12/15/2007 11:11 am ET by craqpot
Replies
Craqpot,
I'm a little confused by your question. Library table designs generally use four legs with aprons. In this type of table tusk tenons can't be used for the aprons but can be used for the center stretcher you mention.
Now if you're doing a trestle style table or refectory table with two trestles or supports at each end of the table then a tusk tenon works fine for the bottom stretcher. You can add top stretchers with slot dovetails.
The tusk tenon is a marvelously strong joint. I think one of the strongest. You'll need to be able to mortise through your column, square up that mortise, and then cut a tenon to fit through it. Make the tenon longer by about 3-4". The fit of it is less crucial for your success. It does however need good long shoulders on it. With the tenon fitted and through, cut your wedge slot through the tenon either vertically or horizontally. I use a wedge angle of about 8 degrees.
When you drive the wedge, it will push against the wedge slot pulling the tenon shoulders in tight to the trestle column. This joint is rock solid. Check out my methods for cutting them in my book, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery, Taunton Press. Good luck moving that thing! Gary
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