I have been building a small work bench using the old "Well, it oughta work if I do it this way" method of construction, and, unsurprisingly, I seem to have run into some snags.
The bench is made of old pallets, so the wood quality is not the best, but I thought I would try a mortice and tenon joint with a wedge on the outside to draw it tight. Problem is, the wood quality wasn't there, and I have wood failure. I fixed it with dowels, but for my full sized bench out of good hardwood I want to avoid making the same mistakes.
Suggestions on how to accomplish tightening the bench throughout the seasonal temperature and humidity changes? I live in Northwest PA, right next to a big lake, and will be moving back down to VA in a few months, so the climate changes are pretty severe.
Of course, I did this with no drawings, a big mistake, and one that I rarely make, but I can safely say that this project has reminded me why I draw everything out first. (chopping a mortice while waiting for another project to dry, I realized that I had made it about 1/2" larger than the tenon. . .grrrr)
***Forgot to mention, this isn't finished yet. I plan on an edge band around the top, out of walnut, dovetailed at the joints, probably 1"+ thick. Also adding a vise (shopmade), a shelf, and some dog holes. Finish will be natural Watco oil.
In a week or so I should have some CAD files of what this bench is right now, and what I had originally envisioned.