08-10-2017, 09:29 AM
So my wife asked me to build a smallish sized sitting bench and I was told her sure, I'm trying to practice more hand tools now rather than power, beyond the tedious work of thickness planing. I've got everything roughed out and I was thinking of adding a little complication to my life and for some aesthetics I'd cut the top of the leg into a square through tenon and then plane it flush with the top of the bench.
Now my question is does anyone see a problem with wood movement along the top pulling apart my apron/stretcher mortises in the legs as the wood in the top moves? Also should I wedge the tenon into the top? I've seen most of this style of bench done in two pieces for the top with each piece connected to only 2 tenons, so I wasn't sure if this was to combat the wood movement busting it apart or if that was visual appeal.
Now my question is does anyone see a problem with wood movement along the top pulling apart my apron/stretcher mortises in the legs as the wood in the top moves? Also should I wedge the tenon into the top? I've seen most of this style of bench done in two pieces for the top with each piece connected to only 2 tenons, so I wasn't sure if this was to combat the wood movement busting it apart or if that was visual appeal.