Notched vs. Mitered Tenon Interference

[John Fenn]

I am building some chairs using mortise and tenon joints in the legs. Where the rails join the legs, the tenons interfere with each other. I can either miter the end of the tenons or notch them to account for the interference. My question is one better than the other strength wise. Construction wise either would be about the same to build. I appreciate any thoughts you may have. Thanks,

[Gene Davis]

Miter. It's easier.

[Mike Hollingsworth]

seems notching would give more strength to one than another.

[Dave Zellers]

Finger joint!

Kidding, but it would be cool.

Miter.

[glenn bradley]

Miter, greater long grain glue surface. JMHO

[Daniel O'Neill]

I'm in the same position and planned on mitering. It's a lot easier and from what I understand of M&T the snug sides help give the greater amount of strength.

[Kevin Jenness]

I would recommend running the side rail tenons long as that is the orientation that receives the most stress.I would not break through into the long mortises in order to get a continuous glueline on those tenons.

[Davis Young]

I did finger jointed tenons for a dining table once. This was before the ubiquity of camera phones, so I didn't document it, but I did show it to my friend before I glued it up.

[paul cottingham]

Mitre the ends. More long grain glue surface.

[Charles Taylor]

I agree with the miter crowd. It's what I did to the tenons on the top stretchers on this project:
Chair 800.jpg

[pat warner]

I'd miter for simplicity. But I would not hesitate to use some reinforcing hardware
whenever a joint is compromised.