should work, but keep in mind where water will end up.

After spending way too many years repairing rotted timberframe and other
wood structures - anytime you are doing joinery in wood that will be exposed
to the weather, think about where the water will darin - or where it will
pool. or sit.

If you look at old timberframe buildings, most of the joints are angled so
that water will drain away fromthe joint - if water does get nito the joint,
it will slowly drain out.

If you are drilling blind holes to put the dowels in, they will become
palces where water can collect. Unless you manage to completely fill the
hole with dowel/glue - eventually water willget in ,a nd start rot. The
cedar is a good choice - it is pretty rot resistant, but if you are anywhere
that gets substantial rain (or worse: freezing weather) I'd at elast think
about it...

-James



"Steve Turner" wrote in message
...
As I progress (slowly) on the design of the pergola I'm putting in my back
yard, and as I get to the point where I'm stacking the criss-crossing
rafters together, the thought crossed my mind that instead of toe-nailing
them together or driving screws down at an angle (or using those ugly
galvanized metal brackets), couldn't I drill 3/4" holes and use dowels and
glue to fasten them together? Dumb idea? If not, what kind of glue would
you use? Titebond III? I'm using untreated Western Red Cedar, BTW.

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