breadboard ends- tenon width.

[marcros]

On a 3ft wide table top, I am struggling to find a recommendation for the width of the tenons? The top is made of 4 boards of varying widths. I would like to space the dowels out evenly- either 3 or 4 depending on what looks appropriate.

I have read thickness about 1/3rd of the top thickness (so c3/8"), length to match the thickness of the top (1" or so), but how wide? Should it be most of the width of each board? Should there be a haunch along the full length.

Oh to have a big Domino machine...!

 

[Jacob]

1/3rd max. 3/8" probably too much as you will probably lose some thickness as you clean up the top. 1/4" perhaps better. Tenons - one in the middle and one per dowel perhaps, say 2" wide with haunches in between. There are lots of variations. A classic tip is to only glue the middle tenon and the haunch either side for an inch or so and have all the others a loose sideways fit with the dowels in an oval hole (in the tenon) to allow movement.
Having said that why not omit the breadboard ends altogether? They are a bit of a struggle and most table tops survive quite well (if not better) without them. Then it's just a simple glue up with the boards edge to edge. No need for loose tenons (dominos) or anything as long as you have the clamps to keep them aligned.

 

[marcros]

probably aesthetics more than anything. I agree with what you are saying, but I like the look and think that they make the table look better.

 

[bugbear]

probably aesthetics more than anything. I agree with what you are saying, but I like the look and think that they make the table look better.

Yeah - looks more like a finished table top, less ike a jointed set of planks.

BugBear

 

[Jacob]

probably aesthetics more than anything. I agree with what you are saying, but I like the look and think that they make the table look better.

Bread board ends are more practical than aesthetic - strictly utilitarian - bread boards (occasionally), kitchen tables, drawing boards etc. If you look at a lot of classy (and ordinary) tables you may be surprised at how infrequently they are used.

 

[marcros]

sorry, i meant that my reason for including them was more aesthetic- not their intended purpose in general.

 

[Glynne]

In making a small coffee table, I wanted to match the design of some existing furniture (as you can just see in the background) and hence went for breadboard ends.

I simply used biscuits as this was aesthetic rather than structural, but it should guard against any twist.
Small loose tenons should work just as well which may be easier then actually cutting tenons on your boards?

Glynne