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Thread: Gluing Mortise and Tenon Joints...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    MA. & CA.
    Posts
    247

    Gluing Mortise and Tenon Joints...

    For the Tressel/Trestle table I am making, I am using M & T joints--
    I am worried about glue space---
    1. How tight should the joints be, not to starve the joint of glue;
    the glueing surfaces--4 sides around the tenon and the end grain
    surface??? The joints are snug...
    2. Glue to use--Tite-Bond 3, or Polyurethane glue?
    3. Any suggestions on how to apply the glue?
    Thanks,
    Phil

  2. Not that I'm an expert on MT, but I apply the glue to all sides of the tenon and the end grain, and also on all sides of the mortise, all applied thinly and evenly with a paintbrush. If you are glueing multiple tenons across a solid table top, glue the center tenon as above, but lightly glue the end tenons to allow for movement. I use TB III, but I'm sure everyone has their favorites.

  3. Hi Phil,

    The joint is an interference fit--it should be what I call pleasantly snug. I shoot for a joint I can push together but has no slop. The instant glue hit, the wood will begin to swell.

    I do not put glue on the end of the tenon shoulders. Nothing to be gained as far as strength goes, and just one more area to clean squeeze-out. In fact, I apply glue usually only on the mortise walls. If I apply any to the tenon, I usually use a thinned version mostly as a glue size.

    I usually use white glue vs TBIII. More open time and no need for the water proofing. I do use TBII sometimes, but never on large assemblies. More often than not I use hide glue. High tack, long open time.

    I use a stiff brush of some sort for application [generally]. For hide glue, a good one I reuse. For anything else, a disposable one.

    I usually glue up sub assemblies whenever possible. As I get older I move slower.

    Take care, Mike

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Leesville, TX (San Antonio/Austin)
    Posts
    1,203
    If it's a 'closed' mortise and tenon, I use Gorilla glue in the mortise and just a 'scrubbing' of it on the tenon (so as to not use too much). On a properly fitting mortise and tenon, I've found it very nearly IMPOSSIBLE to 'undo' a MT in the glueup process when using PVA. The Gorilla (and all polys) is 'slicker' and you can still work with it a few minutes to correct a problem if you need to. I often do.

    KC

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