I want to attach a 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ rail to a 3 1/2″ square leg, with the rail set in 1/2″ from the outside edge of the leg. I think that a mortise and tenon might cause the leg to split or be weak as it close to the edge, I could dowel pin through the side of the tenon also. But, would it be better to join the rail to the leg with two dowel pins and glued butt joint or would the mortise and tenon be just as strong?
Thanks, marc
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
Marc,
Please don't use dowels to attach table rails. They will fail, eventually. There is no good long grain to long grain gluing surface between the dowel and the hole you bore.
A mortise and tenon joint will be perfect for this situation and a far superior joint. Just make sure that the fit of the joint is a shoe horn one. It's not like a sloppy old tennis shoe that you can flip off your foot, nor should it have to be pounded home with a mallet. A snug slip fit to put the joint together will allow you room to put in a little bit of glue without splitting your leg. Check out my book on joinery for some pointers: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery, Taunton Press. [Shameless promotion moment, sorry.] Good luck. Gary
Thank you Gary. I have ordered the book and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. I suspected that the mortise and tenon would be far stronger, but was unsure of its placement. I will do as you say. Thanks again,
marc
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled