Smallish M+T in deal - drawbore hole offset?

[Eric The Viking]

It's garden furniture time. I'm making a stand for the tomato growbag, in deal (read "Balsa"). I don't want it to collapse at the end of the summer, so was going to mortice the four legs to take the rails, and peg them.

They'll be 1/2" × 2" mortices, with tenons about 2" deep. Given the wood and the purpose, I'm going on the basis that it needs to be tight when dry, and any glue is a bonus.

I was thinking 8mm dowels, but don't know what offset to use. Any advance on 1mm, or is that too much already?

Any thoughts*?

E.

*apart from "don't be an idiot! " as it's too late for that.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

the wood whisperer reckons on about 1/16"

 

[Roughcut]

A Chris Schwarz article I've read on Drawboring recommends a 1/16" to 3/32" offset towards the tenon shoulder.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Thanks chaps.

I'm inclined to go smaller offset, because I don't presently have the means to make my own dowels (time is the critical factor at the moment), so I don't want to split a dowel and have the hassle of drilling it, etc.

I'll try 2mm (1/16") approx. and see how it goes.

E.

PS: I got a set of Colt 'Five Star' drills this week (Axminster clearance), in smaller sizes, 8mm being the largest. I can't wait to try them properly. If they're as good as cracked up to be, I should get really neat holes - always a pain in pine.

 

[AndyT]

Charles Hayward also says about 1/16" for 2" tenons in his "Woodwork Joints" book.