Holtzapffel workbench project #4: question about the mortise and tenon joinery

I left mine a little loose in width. There will be a little bit movement but not a lot. I also drawbored my pins, to pull the joints nice and tight and to hold them in place.

-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/

thanks Mike, I wanted to two shoulder tenons, but since I will leave some room for wood movement, I wonder If I should use four shoulder tenon instead to prevent for seeing the gap in dry season.

Have you put any finish on your bench?

Your bench looks very nice, specially with the wooden screw. I still have not made any decision yet on the type of vise I will use. But the wooden screw are very tempting, my other options would be the veritas twin screw.

-- Martin, Gatineau, Québec

I didn’t notice or understand you were only doing two shoulders. You don’t need a very large shoulder to hide the gap, if you go that route. Also, 5” won’t see a lot of movement. You will probably be fine if you decide to stay with the 2-shoulder tenon.

I used a simple Danish Oil finish on my bench. Also, Christopher Schwarz did a nice article in Woodworking Magazine, about workbench finishes if you have that magazine.

-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/