post and panel chest - tenon thickness advise

What kind of wood are you using? If is a hard wood 1/4” should be fine. Oak , cherry …........

Martin,
As Tim said the type of wood makes a difference. But a good rule of thumb is no more than one third the thickness of the wood. So a piece of 3/4” you would want a 1/4” tenon. 6/4 you could go to a 1/2” tenon.
Make sure you cut the mortise first, then make the tenon to fit the mortise. This helps prevent a loose joint, just sneak up on it and take your time.
Hope that helps,

Taigert

-- Taigert - Milan, IN

for the side it`s hard maple rail and post. For the back it`s white pine rail

-- Martin, Gatineau, Québec

Just my opinion, 1/4” should be fine for the maple as well as the pine. Today’s glues should insure a good joint regardless of specie, as long as you have a well fitting M and T.

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

i always make the tenon 1/3 the thickness ,
ie:
1 1/2 ” stock , 1/2 tenon ,
3/4 ” stock , 1/4 ” tenon .
otherwise the mortice cheeks are to thin ,
in my opinion .

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle