Hi, I’m looking for some suggestions for restoring an antique workbench.

The workbench has an L-shaped tail vise, the threaded nut is part of the end cap.

 

I disassembled the workbench and found that the first and last boards of the top have tenons that go into mortises into the end cap.

One tenon (on the side opposite the vice) is wedged through, the other was short and pinned with many nails which I removed.

 

I’m fixing the end cap and I’m wondering how to improve the binding of the top to the end cap.

Is it possible to attach the end cap to the top without bolts as it is usually done (see the picture)?

 

Can wedged through tenons be strong enough to withstand the clamping pressure of the vise?

 

How was it done in the past before hardware was in common use?

 

Thank you.

Alberto