reinforcement, reinforcement
Wood expands and contracts, and with a mortise and tenon joint, the pieces are expanding and contracting in different directions. If you just use glue, it will hold. If you reinforce the joint with a dowel, it will hold better and longer. Chairs are the prime example of this.
As for what type of glue, I have usually used titebond II for the mortise and tenon joints on the branch beds I have made. That's on the headboards and footboards. I generally join the rails to them with carraige bolts or lag screws. No glue. If you're averse to the heads showing, you can countersink them and make decorative covers for the holes. Traditional bedrail bolts were done that way.
Wood expands and contracts, and with a mortise and tenon joint, the pieces are expanding and contracting in different directions. If you just use glue, it will hold. If you reinforce the joint with a dowel, it will hold better and longer. Chairs are the prime example of this.
As for what type of glue, I have usually used titebond II for the mortise and tenon joints on the branch beds I have made. That's on the headboards and footboards. I generally join the rails to them with carraige bolts or lag screws. No glue. If you're averse to the heads showing, you can countersink them and make decorative covers for the holes. Traditional bedrail bolts were done that way.
