AnthonyH Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 Hello WoodTalk Community, I am creating feet for a Cheval Mirror that I'm making. The feet must support 38" legs that are adjoined to the top part of the foot using double mortice and tenon. My question is, how would you recommend I adjoin the upper portion with the mortices to the lower part of the foot. The upper part will experience torque in every direction as the mirror is tilted and moved, and I want that force to be positively transferred to the lower foot. Since I am not an experienced woodworker, I don't know if glue only would suffice. Please note I do not have a Festool Domnio and have no plans to purchase one. Additionally, I would rather not use dowels. What I would like to do is cut a joint for these two long-grain surfaces. I don't know what would be ideal considering wood movement in these relatively thick pieces. I am grateful for any assistance you may offer. Thanks in advance. Anthony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 Is the leg joined to the upper foot only with a mortise & tenon? If so, then just glue the lower & upper pieces together with PVA glue. As long as the joint is tight it'll be plenty strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 I think glue only will be fine. Long grain glue joints are very strong. Your wood movement will mostly be across the grain (or up and down on those feet) so the movement will not stress the glue joing much. I'd use a water resistant glue, like Titebond 3. I am assuming Bermuda is humid and for joints close the floor there is more risk of moisture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 No Domino, no dowels...you could route the mortises with your router and make your own loose tenons. But I agree with the guys...glue alone will be fine. Stronger than the wood itself if it's done right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 If you want to reinforce the glue joint the easy way, you can counter bore screws from the bottom of the bottom piece. One inch depth hole with 1/4'' fortsner bit, then pre drill and drive a 3'' long screws to the upper piece. Finally you can make plugs to hide the holes if you want. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyH Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Thank you drzaius, Mike, Eric & Daniel for your advice. I will follow the advice of glued long grain. The mortises are incomplete, as they will extend almost completely through the upper foot. And Mike, yes it is quite humid here. I'll use Titebond 2 since I've read 3 can leave a black line. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick LoDico Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Again, glue is all that is needed. I used a drill to hog out the mortice and cleaned it up with a chisel. I forget how long the tenon is but it did not go all the way through. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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