"Bay Area Dave" wrote in message
Swingman, thanks for the primer on the M&T's!

The depth of the mortise in 1" would be around 13/16", right? and then
make the tenons 1/16" to 1/8" shallower?

In this case, make your mortises 1" deep and your tenons a little less,
13/16" +/- ... gives you some room for excess glue to pool and not push the
tenon back out.

Like I mentioned earlier, I've
got the DP mortiser kit, BUT I don't have any mortising chisels. Isn't
it imperative that I clean up the mortises with those types of chisels?
I'm not Neander equipped yet. I've got one simple 3/4" wide chisel.

I usually use a 1/2" and 1/4" chisel to clean them up .. hell, even a rasp
will work if you're careful.

Did I miss where you remarked on how MANY of these M&T's I should use
along approximately 20" of joint length?

I like Leon's suggestion of a "modesty" panel as the back ... that would
make your M&T joints exactly 4, two on the inside face of each leg for the
end panel and simplify your joinery even more. The "modesty panel" can be
mounted any number of ways, including metal brackets that would make removal
very easy. Leon's "pins" would work well also.


I'm always open to suggestions, and Leon has given me some food for
thought on this project. I'll have to consider my ability to accomplish
a particular joinery method before I decide to go for it. Maybe it's
time to pick up some decent (not TOO expensive, and something with large
handles) chisels...

The best deal on inexpensive chisels, IMO, are the blue handle Marples, made
in Sheffield, England. A set of six will run you about $60 and they are
readily available. You can generally buy them one at a time, even at the
Borgs.

Good luck ...

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Last update: 8/24/03