I want to build a stool with splayed legs and thru mortise and tenon to
attach the legs to the seat. None of my books describe how to create a
compound mortise\tenon construct. Any suggestions where to look? I tried
fine woodworking cd, but no luck.

Shelby Carter wrote:

I want to build a stool with splayed legs and thru mortise and tenon to
attach the legs to the seat. None of my books describe how to create a
compound mortise\tenon construct. Any suggestions where to look? I tried
fine woodworking cd, but no luck.


Trend makes a M&T jig as does Leigh - their FMT set up, which can
do compound angle M&T joints.

http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/...endMTjig3.html

Either one will let you route mortises in both parts to be joined and
you make a loose tenon to fit. Loose tenons give you at least as
strong a joint as the traditional M&T joint so consider that route.

The "Loose Tenon" - a mortise in both parts and a separate
"loose tenon" to fit in the mortises of the two parts to be joined.
The parts are all their visible length - no adding tenon lengths.
No shoulders to cut. You only need to layout one face on each
part. No need to make a new part if you blow a tenon, you just
cut another loose tenon.

Here's a shop built jig you can make that uses a router with
an edge guide.

http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/...TenonJig1.html

charlie b

"Shelby Carter" wrote in
:

I want to build a stool with splayed legs and thru mortise and tenon
to attach the legs to the seat. None of my books describe how to
create a compound mortise\tenon construct. Any suggestions where to
look? I tried fine woodworking cd, but no luck.



http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_...046,DIY_14350_
26910,00.html

No, the M&T jigs won't help in this situation. What you need to do is
look up (maybe google) on how to do a Windsor chair. The classic
version of these have splayed dowel legs mortised through the seat,
much like what you'll want to do on your stool.

They classic way of doing this I think is once they have cut the pieces
(I know that's what you need to know), then they shrink the leg in a
oven to get it real dry, they pound it in, wedge the end and when it's
gets its basic moisture back it is locked in place but good.

"SonomaProducts.com" wrote in message
oups.com...

They classic way of doing this I think is once they have cut the pieces
(I know that's what you need to know), then they shrink the leg in a
oven to get it real dry, they pound it in, wedge the end and when it's
gets its basic moisture back it is locked in place but good.


Nope, shrink the tenon end in hot sand and place into wetter leg, where leg
squeezes as it dries. Not the optimum in M-T joints, because there's no
shoulder to take the load, but it will work.

I have seen some that assume that people will lean back in the chair,
therefore the sides are fitted, with the front and rear stretchers partially
bored across, effectively locking and preventing them from withdrawing.

In compound, I like straight tenons into angled mortises for best strength.