Trestle bench

[GrahamIreland]

Hello all,

I'd just like some advice or tips on how best to go about creating the joints for this trestle bench I am making.

The legs join into the top via an angle - not sure 10/15 degrees?

My question is how best to chisel out the mortices on top and on legs.

I was thinking of drilling several holes using a bevel gauge and the board sitting on an aged platform.

Thoughts..

Thanks
Graham

 

[Racers]

Yes that would work, or cut a block of wood at the right angle as a guide.
I test in scrap wood is always good exercise to refine your techniques.

Pete

 

[mikefab]

It might be easier to cut the mortices square to the bench top and make angled tenons.

 

[GrahamIreland]

Angled guide block sounds like a good idea, not sure I'd have enough thickness on each end of my legs to cut angled tendons, but I'll have a look. thanks

 

[Racers]

Straight (to the leg) tenons will be stronger, fit all the legs then mark the stretchers to suit.

Pete

 

[Jacob]

Basic mark up. Straight tenon, angled hole. Mark the hole on each side - drill and/or mortice chisel and clean up with bevel edge chisel so that the pencil marks all line up.

 

[GrahamIreland]

exactly yes, I started to piece that together on paper. I'll angle a block of some sort and chisel/drill along that.

thanks for help

 

[Jacob]

exactly yes, I started to piece that together on paper. I'll angle a block of some sort and chisel/drill along that.

thanks for help

You don't need a guide you just need the marks in the right place. Undercut with drill or chisel until you are through, then bring the sides of the mortice down to the lines by working from both sides and turning over a lot.

 

[GrahamIreland]

Thanks all, managed to get a reasonable result.

Problems I incurred: I tried putting jigsaw on an angled block, but blade would bend and give an inaccurate line.

I ended up chiselling through with a guided block, seemed to work fine.

After I put a black stain on the top, but when I sanded it down afterwards left scratches on surface, even with fine sandpaper.

Graham

 

[eoinsgaff]

A bit late I know but...
If you have a drill press you could have tipped up the board by the 10/15deg using a strip of timber, cut to the correct height, on the drill press surface. Another strip could be used to hold the board in the correct place. All four mortises would then be the same.

 

[GrahamIreland]

Yes, bit short on equipment.

I messed around with a jig for router today. think next time I would do angled tenons, instead of angled mortices...