Help on Joints

[ScottGoddard]

I would like to build the below, but I am struggling with which joints to use. The structure of the unit would be made from 40mm all round, including the cross pieces. The top joints could be Dovetails and the middle cross piece could be tenon joints, the same for the bottom cross pieces. However, where two joint meets do I need to use a different joint so they don’t cross over?

 

[sunnybob]

FORTY mm thick all over?
You sure about that?

 

[MikeG.]

It'd be nice to see a bigger photo, because my old eyes at this time of the morning have no chance of zooming in on individual joints in that little thumbnail.

In principle, though, mortice & tenons can meet at a corner fairly comfortably, by taking a notch out of the top of one tenon and the bottom of the other..........or if you want to go really fancy, you could finger-joint them where they overlap in the depths of the mortice. You've a better chance with chunky timber such as you are proposing.

 

[Jacob]

What is the problem? It looks pretty straightforward and conventional. Mind you I can't see it very well either!
It looks heavy and wide - easier with a bit of support in the middle - a hidden bracket attached to wall?

 

[MikeG.]

....The top joints could be Dovetails.......

Do you mean where the legs and rail meet at the top front corners? If so, a dovetail certainly isn't the right joint there, as it would leave a tiny weak remnant of wood above the tail. You need a haunched mortice and tenon there.

 

[NickN]

A bigger pic, hopefully :

 

[ScottGoddard]

....The top joints could be Dovetails.......

Do you mean where the legs and rail meet at the top front corners? If so, a dovetail certainly isn't the right joint there, as it would leave a tiny weak remnant of wood above the tail. You need a haunched mortice and tenon there.

Yes, would you recommend using this for both joint at the corner?

 

[MikeG.]

Yes.

These junctions need to be carefully designed, but that's the basic joint you should use, subject, of course, to me not being able to clearly see the photo of what you are intending to build.

 

[Harbo]

Mitered haunched tenons

Rod

 

[dzj]

The sides I'd make with ordinary mortice and tenons.
The 40mm horizontal members I'd attach with fasteners, bolts, barrel nuts...no joinery.
It's a utilitarian piece, it's not fine furniture, so why bother with elaborate joinery that no one will see anyway?

 

[ScottGoddard]

Do people think the 40mm is too big? I would like to get it as close to the picture as possible, it looked like 40mm.

 

[MattRoberts]

If it was 40mm, then the top and the rail above the drawers would equate to 80mm / 8cm thick!

The thickness looks to be about 25mm to me...

 

[Woodmonkey]

....The top joints could be Dovetails.......

Do you mean where the legs and rail meet at the top front corners? If so, a dovetail certainly isn't the right joint there, as it would leave a tiny weak remnant of wood above the tail. You need a haunched mortice and tenon there.

Nothing at all wrong with using a dovetail where the top rail goes into the leg, a tenon would do but the dovetail will be stronger. Tenons on the lower rails, they can be mitred where two meet.

40mm square stock seems fine to me for that chunky look.