mortise and tennon - Woodworking Talk

kknight128 · 02-19-2008, 08:37 PM

I am going to build an end table. It is going to have 1-1/2x1-1/2 inch legs by 24 inches high. I am going to have 3/4x4"wide cross members How deep should the tenons go into the leg? If I go to deep they will intersect is this acceptable or should I only go 1/2" deep?

**Leo G** · 02-19-2008, 09:24 PM

If you use a 1/8" setback from the front of the leg for the apron and you are using 3/4" thick stock for you aprons. You can use 7/8" long tenons if the tenons are centered in the aprons. If you offset them to the outside of the apron you can make them as long as an 1" keeping the tenon 1/8" back from the front of the apron.

kknight128 · 02-19-2008, 09:39 PM

I am thinking about centering the apron on the leg, and making the tenons 5/8 would that be enough gluing surface?

**Leo G** · 02-19-2008, 10:34 PM

Personally I would use the whole 7/8". Never know when an elephant might land on the table.