The Pegged Joint, Exposed
Showcase and strengthen mortise-and-tenon joints
Synopsis: Driving a hardwood peg through a mortise-and-tenon joint does more than add a decorative element: It makes the joint stronger. Though the same technique can be used on other types of joinery such as box joints and dovetails, the pegged mortise-and-tenon is a staple in author Matthew Teague’s furniture. In this article, Teague details the technique for standard and drawbored pegging, and gives tips for layout and design, including different ways to trim pegs to add decorative details on the ends. Included are directions for a shopmade punch that easily squares up holes for square pegs.
From Fine Woodworking #191
I seldom cut mortises and tenons—whether in doors, leg-to-apron joints, or on breadboard ends—without pegging the joints. Driving a wood peg through a mortise and tenon not only strengthens the joint, but it also adds a decorative element that I’ve come to depend on in most of my designs.…
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