The Mighty Moravian Bench

[Michael Todrin]

Thanks for the wedge angle discussion gentlemen. For sure a shallower angle will allow tighter clamping and conforms more to what Will Myers has done.

[ken hatch]

Thanks for the wedge angle discussion gentlemen. For sure a shallower angle will allow tighter clamping and conforms more to what Will Myers has done.

Michael,

I've built a few Moravian benches ranging from totally portable (designed to carry in the motorhome) to full shop sized and have been working on them for several years. Nine to ten degrees on the wedge works very well. Other angles I haven't a clue because I haven't tried them but bottom line, the old guys used 9 to 10 degrees and they knew what they were doing. There is no reason to do it differently.

BTW, I just finished a stretcher mortise and wedge for the new kitchen table using 9 1/2 degrees for the wedge and it holds like a champ. Tomorrow I will finish the other end.

ken