Thread: M&T v's Loose Tenon Joints

I made a dining suite for a client some years back. The brief was Australian red cedar, Colonial style, designed to accommodate a 23stone gentleman who regularly attended family functions. The client had her heart set on Whiteside style chairs which are a light framed affair with M&T joints throughout. I was worried. Big ask for a cedar tenon, particularly angled tenons as required in this style of chair. "Stuff it," I thought. "Lets do the tenons in jarrah and see how we go." The suite was delivered just prior to Christmas and I was advised that our luxury sized gentleman would be making an appearance for Christmas dinner and was asked if the chairs would stand the strain. I thought so but would appreciate it if he could see his way clear to keep all four feet firmly on the ground (the chair's not his.) In other words, no rocking back on the rear legs. Christmas came and went. No news was good news. That was 10 years ago. I am advised that Peter still comes to dinner regularly and the chairs continue to meet his demands. Thank God for loose tenons and a satisfied customer.