Attaching the seat to a bench, and expansion / shrinkage issues
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Hey all,
I’m working on a pair of bench seats to match a kitchen table (first picture). It’s time for me to do the joinery, and my plan was to attach the frame to the seat using double tenons in the legs (the second picture).
After watching Paul’s sofa table videos I’m concerned that attaching the legs like this will cause problems with expansion / shrinkage. Any thoughts / experiences on this? Would it be better to just use cleats?
FWIW the material is recycled oak from railings.
Appreciate any input on this!
Markus
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You must be logged in to view attached files.31 December 2015 at 12:47 am #133520Because the benches will inevitably and frequently be moved, i.e. lifted, I would consider making the tenons wedged through tenons Markus. I might also consider fitting tusk tenons through either end apron to help counteract the lifting forces. I wouldn’t have thought four turnbuttons would be man enough in that constant movement situation.
31 December 2015 at 1:08 am #133521The design shown does design in wood movement issues and ought to be re-thought. If you are a paying member you can view any number of projects that deal with the problem of attaching table tops to frames.
The textbook answer would be to use turn-buttons engaging either small mortises or a groove run along the inside of the frame rails. I have used both methods and have not had any trouble with wood movement yet; I prefer to groove in lighter-weight constructions for speed and mortise where more strength is required.
The Occasional Table project uses a different method of angled screws in little pockets in the rails.
Bear in mind gravity will do a fine job of holding a table top down, as I see it the fixing system only needs to 1. allow the furniture to be moved as one; 2. minimise any cup that might develop across the tabletop; 3. keep the top aligned properly on the frame.
Matt
1 January 2016 at 1:29 am #133540I’d also vote for something other than tenons that won’t allow the top to move. Turn-buttons are great – I made a table last year and the top is very firmly attached with turn-buttons. I was surprised at how firmly the top was attached!
Hey all, I was away for New Year’s and wasn’t able to get back to the thread I started.
After reading your responses I’m thinking that I will be using turnbuttons. I’m a bit worried that since they are benches at a dining table, the force caused by people sitting on them will make the turnbuttons loosen little by little. On the other hand, I can then tighten them.
Thank you for the responses!
You might want to take a look at how some of the Chinese gate benches are done. The legs on the this style bench do use mortis n tenons with wedges.
Traditional benches use a kind of self locking mortis system I have not been able to find much information on yet. Essential the whole bench becomes held together by locking joints and no glue.
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