Thread: Attaching the front apron on English workbench

After a woodworking-free year I have finally resumed my workbench build.

I wanted something that I could make easily with hand tools and without any clamps, so I've settled on a modified English-style bench with deep aprons. The base is draw-bored mortise and tenon joinery and beefy laminated construction lumber legs. I'm using wide pine slabs for the front and rear aprons. (I was planning to use them for the top, too, but I realised that it'll be easier to use LVL from Masters).

I've almost finished the base and am about to attach the aprons. So far it weighs a ton, which is good.

However, I'm concerned that the traditional method of attachment with glue and nails would cause splitting, as there would not be provision for the slabs to move across their width. It's important that they be securely affixed because it is this connection that provides the bench with much of its strength, in particular, its resistance to wracking.

Should this be a concern?

EDIT: My bench is basically this one, without the leg notches http://www.theenglishwoodworker.com/?p=440. I notice that his aprons have dadoes that accommodate the legs, which would further strengthen the connection. I like this idea and I think I will try it, although I hadn't initially planned for it and might need to plane the front of the legs down a bit.