Thread: Help with door construction

Probably. I have two similar doors, 870mm x 530mm, 50mm x 18mm frames. Came with the house, so details are hidden by edge banding. As best I can tell, they have blind mortise and tenon with a single exposed dowel in the face at each corner; dowels possibly for decoration only. The leadlights are recessed inside, captured by perimeter strips.

The blind M & T is substantially stronger than three dowels, if I read your orientation correctly.

Cheers,
Joe

I have not made a M&T joint since I stuffed up my first (and last) effort in my year 8 woodwork class in 1965. I am one of those who offers up thanks to the inventor of the biscuit joint every time I make one (for the same reason) ... but perhaps its time I tried to make a M&T again.

I like the dowels because they are so quick, but here I'll be after maximum strength. Also, I am considering making the doors about 34mm thick and using 19mm dowels, or perhaps one @19mm and two @ 10mm.

How about beadlock? This system is basically a MT joint with a loose tenon, but the whole thing is produced with a drill in a special jig; just like dowelling. It's available from Carbatec.

Cheif Tiff ... you must be psychic.

Last night I was looking at that system on Carbatec's site.

I think I'll use 308 glue. Was introduced to it as a kid when my dad used it above the waterline in boats. It is as dear as poison, but is very strong and does not suffer from creep in the joint.

Rather than buy a jig, I am thinking about making the doors about 34mm thick, double biscuiting the joints and then running two or three dowels between the biscuits. that, and the 308, should hold it together.

M & T is surely the way to go,I would make the bottom rail thicker than the sides ,looks better and will give more area for the M & T joint.

... but I was hoping you would not say that.

I'm still something of a novice, and the thought of making a M&T joint brings back bad memories from my year 8 woodwork class.

I know you speak the truth ...

great excuse to buy a domino

Just checked the price ... Ouch!

I dont do enough M&T joints to spend a lot of money. At around $100 might take a look at a chisel mortiser. The tenon is the easy part.

yeah they are pricey
worth it though

just about finished a set of kingsize single bunks using it for the first time the price doesnt seem to matter anymore
was going to cost close to 2k to buy the beds from furniture shop so I was able to justify the cost of the domino as this way I now have a great tool and some solid furniture that will last a lifetime.

selly's have stoppes selling 308 and i'm devestated