how tight should a m/t joint be??

[engineer one]

having basically got my mortice and tenons cut, i need to ensure they fit properly.

so the question is, how tight should the fit between them be??

i know the tenon should not be loose, ie floppy, but how much clearance should you allow for gluing up etc??

the tenons are 6mm wide.

paul :wink:

 

[mailee]

Correct or not I make my tennons a hand sliding fit so it just takes a little effort to insert them. IMHO this gives them room for the glue. :wink:

 

[engineer one]

yes i was wondering about their value if you have to wack em :lol: :twisted:

presumably then you hydraulic all the glue out :roll:

paul :wink:

 

[newt]

Paul, if you have a lot to do of the same size it may be worth making an extra couple for glue testing. I have mine a tight sliding fit no hammer, then I apply glue to both mortice and tenon, some just apply to the tenon. I then find with Titebond 3 that the joint goes together a bit easier than without the clue, this is normal. I have not had a failure yet, by the way I do leave a small space at the bottom of the mortice for any excess glue to go, to avoid the dreaded hydraulic lock. Good luck.