Dovetails

All drawers must be assembled using this time-honoured method.  Dovetails are superior because they create a large glue surface area, along with a physical "lock" due to the angles of the cuts.  These joints should be hand cut to ensure the strongest and most beautiful joint as well as to give evidence to the skill of the craftsman, and lend authenticity to a period piece.

A drawer must never be just glued and nailed -the method of choice among manufacturers due to the speed of assembly.  These joints are doomed to fail in time, causing drawer fronts to loosen, and then fall off.


 

Hand Cut vs Factory


Factory produced drawer which has been glued and nailed.
Hand Cut Dovetails
Hand Cut Dovetails
(Combined exceptional strength and refinement)

Factory Produced Dovetails

Mortise and Tenon

All my door and cabinet frames are assembled using hand cut mortise and tenon joints which are then pinned after assembly to ensure a very strong and reliable joint.

Most manufacturers will assemble their doors using a routered "stile and rail" joint, which is easily spotted when looking down at the top of an open door.  While these joints are quick and easy to manufacture, they fail due to the small glue surface area and the lack of a permanent lock, which pinning provides.

Some manufacturers also use screws to assemble their cabinet frames, not a mortise and tenon joint. Although this is a faster method of assembly it is prone to failure due to seasonal wood movement.


Hand cut Mortise & tenon
(Prior to assembly)
Hand cut & pinned mortise and tenon cabinet frame & door.
(Built just as they were 200 years ago)
Factory produced "stile & rail" door.
(A quick but poor method of joinery.)

Table legs

Table legs must be attached to the apron with traditional mortise and tenon joints, and then double pinned.  They MUST NOT BE BOLTED TOGETHER.  This is a weak joint that, in time, will allow the table to rack (wobble).  Once again, a quick check will tell.

All my table legs are hand turned on a lathe creating my own unique and beautiful profiles.  A computerized machine used by manufacturers cannot replicate legs with the same refinement and crisp detailing as hand turning.


Table leg & apron
(These are mortise & tenoned with double pins to ensure a lifetime of use)


Factory bolted legs
(As seen from the underside of the table)
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