Thread: White Ash bench seat Joinery input wanted for handtool

It seems the main joints used will be mortice and tenon. These are perfect for hand joinery. If you want to add some strength to the frame you might consider drawbored tenons which are a very strong joint. There is plenty on the net for example here.

Drawbored Mortise and Tenon - Fine Woodworking Video

You don't want to run the tenons for the mortise and tenon on the long stretchers the way you have them. You want a double or triple tenon running horizontal. The way you have it would be fine in a leg running vertical but when going into a horizontal member as you have it there is no glue strength on the end grain in the mortise and you have also lessened the strength of the cross member by nearly cutting it in half with the mortise.
Mike

Attachment 213071

I was thinking the same thing Mike after some feedback and come up with the above two options. I was going for option B with the wider tennon for more glue area.

Any comments as to which and any alterations? While I'd prefer not through tennons, are wedged tennis necessay?

Any other input for strength as well as working white ash with hand tools?

Rob

Option B is better. They do not need to go through just fit well. I don't think in mm but I would make the rails wider say 80 to 90mm and put three tenons on the cross rail. The entire side to side racking strength is in that joint. If the wider rail makes the bench look heavy put an arch in the rail or a cloud lift. You probably only need a 15mm wide tenon in the leg to rail joint. You want to base your tenon width off of your mortise chisel sizes so you can cut them and the mortise the width of the chisel.
Mike