Joinery for Knock-Down Workbenches

[@lindrajane1884]

The first half of the kzbin.infoUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.

[@whirledpeas1182]

bro everyone knows Ted is a big fat scam

[@cristian82h]

This is a pretty solid little workbench. While once you figure out how it comes together, it is physically Easy to assemble kzbin.infoUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh by yourself. But the diagrams explaining the steps are really pretty bad. I could not get the handle pins in all the way despite multiple attempts, so I just used a screw I had on hand for the 2nd handle. I could not get the first pin in further or pull it back out. You are supposed to hammer it in, but I had no leverage and the handle is plastic and I did not want to risk breaking it. I will get a lot of use out of the bench because of the convenient size and height. It does fold up nicely for storage. They even explain how to fold it so you don't get pinched...that is important!

[@aidanmohammed5614]

hi mr.kruger im 12 years old and im learning wood work . i love your videos becuase they are so informative

[@Cadwaladr]

Keep at it, Aidan! Also check out Paul Sellers videos if you haven't yet.

[@aidanmohammed5614]

@@Cadwaladr thanks for the tip!

[@oldbikeguy411]

Aidan! Hey! You've chosen a life craft that will sustain you forever. Were we neighbors, I'd hope that we'd work (play) our tools and ideas together. Be safe young man. Stay interested. And, as always, keep a handkerchief in your pocket and know where the bandaids are 😁. 🤞🙏✌️

[@aidanmohammed5614]

@@oldbikeguy411 thanks i did a dovetail yesterday

[@lyndonmasson8597]

Same bro

[@brianmoore5138]

That’s me I’ll have to take my bench apart and bring it inside. So I’m gathering up materials to make your travel workbench! Thanks for the cheap plans Rex! You the man!

[@bejoe6]

Rex "Adequate" "Good Enough" Krueger. My man! Keep up the good work!

[@daniel_bohrer]

4:30 "Mr Krueger, pare down this wall!"

[@siekson23]

Can't wait to see Rex's approach on mini workbenches. I'm pretty sure he can figure out something clever for all small apartment woodworkers.

[@RexKrueger]

I'll try!

[@karolskakes388]

Check out John McGrath, he built a fine mini that he sits on his main work bench.

[@garethbaus5471]

I recently built a tiny bench that can be made from a sheet of 1/2" plywood, some 1x2s, and some 1x4s that is easy to construct and durable with a replaceable top. That being said I built my bench for working with clay, so I didn't incorporate any clamping methods, plus since I am running out of wood and don't want to buy more until the prices go down I litterally used whatever scraps I had lying around.

[@kendarr]

@@RexKrueger waiting on that!

[@Tikorous]

@@garethbaus5471 I also recently built something that isn't a woodworking bench. We have so much in common.

[@Kevlar2010]

Can't wait to see this. Predicting now that he will be discussing the Moravian style workbench.

[@LandLockedSailor69]

Built one off the "Wood and Shop" videos and plans but modified it to use a quick release vice instead of the leg vice.

[@DeafMaker]

In really enjoy these historical engineering solutions... Makes you think why we struggle with some solutions when the solutions have already be around for years. Look forward to seeing you build a take down bench for beginners. Thanks again for another great video.

[@theeddorian]

In a career as an archaeologist, I've often found myself explaining that what we presently call "technology" - machine tools, computers, calculators, etc. - was not invented to do something someone imagined was possible "if only ..." Instead, modern tools are simply means of achieving the _same ends_ that older, slower, manual methods also did. Modern technology saves time, and reduces the number of people required to achieve a specific task, but it also limits what we are willing to attempt. Even now, there are constructions completed as recently as the late Middle Ages, such as the Florence Duomo masonry dome designed and engineered by Brunelleshi that no modern architect would contemplate trying to build using the materials (brick masonry) Brunelleschi employed. Different materials and vastly different methods would _have_ to be employed, if only because worker-safety regulators would faint otherwise.

[@stardustjustlikeyou]

There is a lot of valuable information that has been lost in this craft because for generation after generation it was passed from father to son, but with the coming of the industrial revolution and people being able to choose their jobs more readily there is a lot that didn't get passed down to our parents generation, and it is our duty to rediscover it!! (Mostly Rex's duty, thanks Rex)

[@theeddorian]

@@stardustjustlikeyou Not so much father to son as you might imagine, though that did take place often. The apprentice system was in place by the Medieval period at least. But the "knowledge" as the applied uses of basic geometry and geometric construction, physics, and a knowledge of the properties of the materials. The Duomo was constructed beginning over 100 feet off the ground IIRC, and was definitely constructed without support scaffolding, which was the norm at the time. Brunelleschi figured out how have the structure being erected act as its own support structure. Apprentices were expected to learn these very useful "arts", and to learn basic reading and writing skills, if they wanted to become masters themselves. One of the ironies of the industrial revolution was the proliferation of "shop" classes and schools as number of skilled craftsman shrank as a proportion of the population. Rex's work is a fine resource, and the reason I subscribed.

[@geirkselim2697]

@@theeddorian you could safely build the scaffolding (held together by a system very similar to the key technique in this video), but could you get it to pass earth quake regulations without costing a bazillion dollars? Modern materials are significantly better than the pasts, but the old techniques still inspire modern construction. Plenty of Masons still cut stone with a hammer and chisel after all. So what if the hammers handle is made of fiber glass instead of Osage.

[@theeddorian]

@@geirkselim2697 The Duomo was built without scaffolding because the necessary timber was too expensive. The joinery alone necessary to fabricate support columns over 100 feet long would be even more expensive. So the architect applied late Medieval knowledge to solve the problem. Not one modern engineer in 1000 could have derived such a solution. We pretty much know how it was done now, but the modern theory was blackboxed by studying the original. My point is that we more or less discard useful knowledge as we rely more on powered machines. In the process antique work begins to look miraculous. This is one reason Rex's site is so good.

[@chacehawkins4708]

I am one of the people who is trying to get into more woodworking, does not have a shop and needs to take down and assemble my bench every time I need it, I am about to start on a bench from pallet wood and was struggling with how to make it fold or come apart. I knew I could count on you to help me out. thank you!!! (now I want to see you make a break down bench)

[@brazilgrass]

I'm just a viewer, Rex. But at least I've been spreadin' your work/videos around. Thanks for caring about us just viewers, big cheers and thanks, all the way from south Brazil.

[@jg1019]

I only just noticed how you have all the other flags right next to your American flag, I love it.

[@jan-reiniervoute6701]

The laminated joint might, historically, be more work (3 planks with the same cross section) and without our modern glues the craftsman would likely opt for the solid version as he would be doing that style of joinery ever after. Good video Rex.

[@Orlandofurioso95]

Indeed! Plus, boards that are relatively thin but of very consistent thickness might have been much harder to source.

[@rfldss89]

I think rex was talking about the joint with the horizontal wedge overall, laminated or not.

[@ikust007]

@@rfldss89 i am assuming that also . But at the same time , an horizontal wedge wouldn’t be logical for anti raking movement imho

[@alans1816]

@@ikust007 Raking is exactly what the horizontal wedge resists directly. Both versions are very strong, but the dovetail tenon (horizontal wedge version) is more compact: you don't need the tenon extension to prevent the wedge from blowing out short grain.

[@ikust007]

@@alans1816 i totally agree. I am talking about historical ones without a dovetail style. Hard for me to believe that in the 17-18 century they would have planks in order to make the profile easily. Not saying impossible in a beam. It’s worth a try but i think too much work for what it would give a tradesman .

[@crisrody852]

Had a table in my kitchen that lasted my entire childhood and has 30 years now, the joint is still holding strong and never even needed a mallet hit to tight itself again

[@JanXXVI]

I have buildt the Moravian Bench, the joinery and the angled leggs makes it very solid for stresses along the length of the bench. And it's easy to transport. I have mine on the porch, wanted it so that i could do some woodworking out in the sun. But my main bench is a heavy roubo that i buildt from birch, it can also be knocked down, but screws are what's thigtening the stretchers.

[@ikust007]

10:29 i don’t remember seeing that in traditional old ones. But … I have the impression that it is extremely strong , and a very good solution for making all with slim planks.

[@lukejavor4739]

I had to make my tusk wedges go in horizontally on my workbench- they haven’t loosened at all over the past year and a half. Works great!

[@DullPoints]

For the lumber challenged: Recycle desks and tables for heavy MDF or fiberboard. I made my first workbench top out of 3 layers of Frankenstein off cuts and sealed it with cheap mineral oil to resist water and glue. Lamination is a great way to save furniture from the dump and perfect for shop projects and MDF is great for practicing joinery.

[@notzimmer]

Hi Rex - Love the channel! I made a Moravian workbench out of my low Roman bench as I got a little more skilled. I just sawed off the legs and used it as the main top piece. That solves the “I need a bench to make a bench” dilemma. Just an idea for woodwork for humans!!

[@mmaegaard]

Yep. We have lots of those joints in Denmark. I actually have a coffee-table with it in my living room right now.

[@Incandescentiron]

I love your laminated joint. It would work very well with plywood construction as well, a great project to use those cutoffs.

[@techheck3358]

6:45 the Moravian bench solves this by leaning the legs inwards. The weight of the top makes them want to collapse inwards, so the “inwards top” and “outwards bottom” cheeks of the leg actually dig into the stretcher to provide stability

[@kevinorr6880]

That Moravian bench is the bomb!!! Love it to death. It is artwork.

[@Mikey__R]

Now I think of it, a screw thread is basically a wedge wrapped around a cylinder. The long stretchers on my bench are held to the end frames by stub tenons to prevent twisting, and threaded rod to hold the tenons in the mortices. In short, bed bolts. This is a historically accurate way to build a bench, I think I read about it in an early 20th century book by Hayward. My grandfather always used tusked tenons on his furniture, he would have apprenticed around the time that Hayward was writing, so there was some overlap between old school joinery, and using fasteners.

[@Augcliffe]

Perfect timing. Planning on doing this bench this summer. Go Guardians! Kidding

[@mnFlatLander]

Thank you Rex, you just helped me figure out how to finish my wife's desk and make it moveable.

[@fergusrb]

My bench is made out of 2x4 for the top and 4x4 for the legs. I used the tusked tenon like you showed. Stretcher was a 2x6. Never really thought about taking it apart but another advantage to this is as the wood dries things shrink and loosen. Just tap the tenon and everything is tight again. No wrenches or sockets to tighten bed bolts.

[@jasondoust4935]

Good stuff as always, Rex. Thank you. In Australia, comedian Mikey Robbins used to host breakfast on Triple J. One of his characters on the show was Keith the Moravian Swearing Bear. I think of him every time somebody mentions this bench!

[@CleaveMountaineering]

I just cut one of these yesterday for the big old timber bench I'm gradually working on.

[@chrisstearns10]

My first experience in joinery was building my moravian workbench 💚💪🪵and it came out just fine( still on the finishing touches video once it's done). All the information needed came from the great teachers on KZbin Rex you being one of them, you gave me plenty of confidence thank you. Rex I am a little shocked that you basically said not to build the moravian if it's out of your comfort zone, I sa na na and you should definitely try to build it if it's out of your comfort zone, that's how we get better as woodworkers. As an example I just saw captive or captured rings for the first time a few weeks ago then went out to the shop and made them, yes scared at first but I know that once I do it once it will be easy to do it again and if I fail to keep trying till I do it right! Where is your can do attitude my friend? I watch all your videos and am a big fan of yours, and one of your big mottos seems to be to just get out there and try it. PS the joint becomes a lot stronger for the workbench when the joint is cut on the 15 to 16 degree angle.💚🪵💪🧠💚🪵💪🧠Keep up the great work. Stuff may divide us but the wood unites us💚🪵💪🧠

[@FabienBernard0102]

Was also my first project, and also came out nicely 😁 It's an amazing workbench! To anyone thinking that's this too hard, just try, I learned so much building it and now, I have an amazing workbench and some skills for my next projects 🤘 (and don't worry, you can always recovering form mistakes, this is part of the game)

[@chrisstearns10]

@@FabienBernard0102 good on you for going for it 👍💚🪵💪

[@christopherreddinger1803]

Agreed. My first major project as well. My Moravian bench is butt ugly. But once I drive those keys in, it‘s rock solid. And don’t forget, it’s a work bench, not a Chippendale chest. BTW, Will is a great teacher. If you are still reluctant to try it on your own, he offers a Moravian Bench class 3-4 times a year at Roy Underhill’s school.

[@jcoul1sc]

I'm a convert on a board laminated joint bench. I'm going to strengthen joint by locking the weaker tenon with screws too (accross the grain, you are very reliant on the lignin there to hold it and its weak in softwood).

[@tomnekuda3818]

The more I watch you, the smarter I get. You, sir, are a cut above......thanks for the uploads.

[@RexKrueger]

Appreciate that!

[@YouAskedForThis563]

Like fitting a stone axe head in a mortise on the axe hadle, the tapered peg must fit tightly on the broad sides, but the peg must not touch the thin sides to the mortise, or the mortise will split when under tension because the side are unsupported.

[@harveygussow7913]

I remember my Grandparents kitchen table. A center Tresel ran thru the center-line of the table and two large boards at each end were placed with a large whole at each end the center line beam had a whole as well and a Pin dowel was tapered to fit into the whole. That table was removed from the house after my Grandmother’s death. It was very much a part of her as a cup of Tea.

[@kerryfoster1]

Yes I had to make a tusk tenon joint when I was learning 40 years ago. Never made one since but have come across them in old buildings and farm buildings. Almost forgotten today but still very useful!

[@DarkTouch]

My bench has tusk mortise and tenons. Please note that the tusk provides racking resistance in addition to the shoulders on the stretchers. I built Jesse deGeest's bench design (samurai carpenter) and super happy with it. Though the bench is not designed to be portable, it breaks down into two H frames, two stretchers, and the bench top which is heavy and sits in housing dadoes by friction and gravity on four square leg posts. It's a beautiful bench and rock solid, and i built it without a real workbench: work tables, saw horses.

[@jean-yannsilvino3615]

I don't speak English but your assembly looks very interesting, I'll try it

[@dwayne6402]

Rex is going to build his version on this bench, and I for one, am very much looking forward to it. You go Rex.🙂👍👍👍

[@MrUltralove]

I was just on a workbench project. I have a really beautiful ash timber for the split tops but I was afraid of the leg joinery. This idea is brilliant! I'll definately go with the second one!!

[@gordonpromish9218]

recently started using knock-out wedges in through tenons. I hate making them, but love what they do.

[@Sk0lzky]

Nice to see you cover my favourite joint! I think I've seen it first as a kid in a museum (I'm a huge history/archeology buff, it's genetic I think) and it just stuck with me

[@alans1816]

My bench has dovetailed tenons like your second joint, that have remained solid for a decade with an annual tap. The wide end of the dovetail is the outside, cut off flush with the leg.

[@bstineman]

I've built 2 benches using keyed-tenons like this. Using 4x4s for the upright works well. Then I usually go with 2x4 or 2x6 for the stretchers. This saves you having to cut cheeks on the tenons, just take a bit off the top/bottom of the tenon. :) When fitting the joint, you also want to account for any moisture swelling. so I tend go a bit loose in the leg mortise, then then use the key and the shoulders to tighten it. Its the fit on the shoulders that really helps keep it stable.

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@n0z1t25]

im a 14 year old danish woodworker and i have one of those old danish benches, it is a delight to work at although when it was made the craftsman sadly went the easyer route of gutting the mortise on the side of the plank in stead of the top, its not as stable but im the process of modifying the mortise to take a bigger key with more surface area. this video is a great help and BTW i just love your videos Rex they are super helpfull, probably more thank you know.

[@leehaelters6182]

I am so happy to read of your woodworking career, started as a younger person. I am sure that you will make great and beautiful things. I will never know if I see your mentioned in the future, but I still expect good things from you!

[@peterlaughlin930]

You are the best KZbinr For beginning woodworkers your teaching method is amazing

[@RexKrueger]

I appreciate that very much!

[@kristofbarta2964]

I made two this, incredibly good design.

[@japanesebitter1066]

7:13 those sounds were beyond satisfying

[@JrottenOlm]

That might have been the single best "plop" I've heard in my entire life.

[@unknownlost]

I just started a project I've been planning with the first version of this joint and what should I see? Rex made a video about the very thing I need to research. Once again, Rex saves me a lot of time looking. Glad I'm a patron.

[@MichaelRodgers670]

Very accessible joinery. I am currently using a picnic table outside with a small portable bench I clamp to the top. It works but I just don't have a level space in my storage area for my tools.

[@timkaiser8149]

With just a small modification to that "classic Danish design" - you could create a knockdown workbench that can *also* be used as freestanding trestles when partly broken down. You'd just need some outward stabilization for the feet...

[@simonabbott]

This video got me sketching workbench designs :) Just looking at the two joints, the first one seems like it would be stronger because the wedge would tend to tighten due to gravity as the bench wracks (racks?), whereas the second one looks like it would be at risk of working itself loose.

[@Jude30]

This is basically how screens are held onto screen decks in a rock quarry. We called it pin and wedge. It’s very effective at holding things together through heavy use/abuse.

[@josephs2581]

Well, shit. Rex has done it again -- completely nailed an advanced idea and made it super easy. Thank you!!! I wish you did this two years ago when I gave up on making a Moravian bench 😭 It's so cool to have a knockdown bench but it's horrible for a newbie. This is actually feasible! Many of us have access to a mitre saw or circular saw or even jigsaw and could cut these out on a sawhorse. Much easier than trying to mortise or handsaw without a bench. And it looks so sturdy!

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Another way of pinning the tenon - drill a hole (angled) through the face of it, so it's still about halfway inside the mortise. Then, cut a tapered face on a dowel the same size.

[@WPGinfo]

Hi Rex, Nice video! Especially the 2nd variation sparked my interest. As you say, it is simple requires only a little woodworking experience and it seems to work well. So: it's right up my street! Thnx. Willem

[@danielkiefer4428]

It seems to me that a benefit of the traditional tusked mortise and tenon joint is that any small racking motion that creates gaps in the joint will tend to be filled by gravity pulling the wedge down deeper, stabilizing the joint. This is similar to the wedges in the leg joints on Paul Sellers's workbench. I think the horizontal wedges won't tend to "self-correct" this way.

[@LowlyMountainBanjos]

I just finished my first Moravian bench. I chose this design not because it’s portable, but because it seemed really string. I have a small workspace and could only make the bench four feet long. The angled legs with the tusked mortise and tenon is incredibly strong and prevents racking even on a short bench.

[@agwheeler2000]

Was actually cutting the keys for my Moravian Bench less than an hour ago! One thing you didn't mention is that it gains extra rigidity ("lockiness") from the fact that the leg and joint are canted inwards at 15 degrees. Makes it a tad more complicated to chop out, too!

[@johanneswerner1140]

Exactly! Also means that the work surface stays attached. Not easy if the legs are orthogonal to the table top.

[@borjesvensson8661]

​@@johanneswerner1140 they just rest on top in noches in the top on scandinavian benches. Sometime a simple hook latch holds it on but that is not doing the work

[@johanneswerner1140]

@@borjesvensson8661 so gravity does the work. Like with my Ulmia bench

[@leehaelters6182]

Yes, the angling of the legs is a key feature! I am quite annoyed at all the YT mavens demonstrating their 15 minute sawhorses, or even slightly better ones, that completely overlook the resistance to thrust and extra stability that kickout affords. When thinking of sawhorses I use the terminology splay as if spreading your legs, and kickout as if a horse was kickin with his hind legs. All the best with your Moravian bench, must have some miles on it by now!

[@dddube12]

Very cool joint and bench!! Rex.

[@chriscunicelli7070]

Love those joints Rex, nice video

[@leehaelters6182]

Hi Rex! Very interesting to see your second example, with a notch. Before now, I have only seen them configured as a half dovetail, with the wedge driven from the other side, sort of making a full dovetail. Perhaps I haven't been looking closely enough, and made a general assumption. I am trying to decide if one approach has more merit than the other, but coming up empty!

[@shanksjeffcott8598]

Thanks, again simply explained well demonstrated. You rock

[@Spirity14]

I live in Bavaria and I see this joint often in old furniture. Always liked it as a child because of the simple open construction. For the laminated joint. Wouldn't the shearing force on the glue be a problem? I'm no woodworker so i'm not that familiar with glue.

[@Erik_The_Viking]

Reminds me of pine shelving that HomeDepot sold many years ago called PegLok, which used the same joint. Very useful and practical as you can take it down quickly and is strong.

[@givemeanaxe]

Rex, As much as I love practicing chiseling out mortis', I love this laminated approach, as the material matches that used in my most common projects. I would love to see how you join one of the laminated "legs" to the rest of the bench.

[@barefootfred1479]

If I ever make another bench, I think I'll use this joint Thanks, Rex.

[@bryandonahue8302]

I love the way you did that second joint, it is very reminiscent of (what I thought was) a fairly common timber framing joint, I think of it like a split dovetail. Two important design elements regarding the tusked mortise and tenon: First, since it is intended to be knocked down think about making the cheeks of the primary tenon a bit thinner. As you said in the video, the joint's primary job is to prevent racking, and a slightly thinner tenon wont compromise that strength too much. Why do this? Seasonal changes, I've heard a few testimonials from ppl who had made a knockdown bench in a cooler dry environment, then come summer, the joints are stuck together. Second, probably the most common design flaw in tusked mortise and tenon joints, is that the primary tenon is trimmed down too short. In the video, yours were fine but its worth noting that if trimmed too short the wedge *will* blow out the end grain. Thanks for the great video, and inspiring me to get out in my shop

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I have a late 1960s Swedish bench originally custom made Krenov when he lived and worked there. Krenov ordered a new bench and sold his original to Alan Marks, also an American who lived and studied furniture design in Sweden at the same time Krenov was there. I met Marks when he came to the US in the mid 1970s. He ordered a new , larger, bench from the same Swedish maker and when it arrived he sold Krenov's bench to me. I still have it. Stretchers and wedges.. a proven design , wouldn't be without it. Excellent video and proves the excellence of strechers and wedges.

[@GrantHendrick]

Thank you for another great video.

[@arnoldkotlyarevsky383]

Fun fact, on the Moravian workbench, the angled legs are what provide the resistance to racking. The Moravian workbenches are super interesting. The rising dovetail joinery is also super cool and definitely something I will want to try.

[@slomkaadas9603]

Maybe next video will be about ---> manual scrapers for wood? Cheers from Poland 🇵🇱 Rex!

[@themodernarmbruster]

Fab. I've been contemplating building a new workbench - a purpose-designed armbruster's workbench - and these tusked tenons will be PERFECT. Bonus points for historicity. Now to figure out the joinery for connecting the heavy top to the legs... (this is a totally not subtle hint, Rex)

[@RexKrueger]

I would have pegs coming out of the tops of the legs and have the top drop onto them. That's how a lot of those Danish benches were.

[@themodernarmbruster]

@@RexKrueger riiiight. That makes sense! Thanks!

[@troyna77]

@8:52 thats was an invaluable tip for me! ty sir!!!

[@JarlSeamus]

Tusk tenon joinery has been in use since at least the early Medieval period, and I suspect back into Imperial Rome. The earliest examples I am aware of off the top of my head are 9th Century scandinavian bed frames. (Search for Osberg Bed)

[@luckycook2320]

As a beginner, I am building that bench at this time. Likely to use a yost metal vise in place of the wooden screw vise. Bench looks pretty straight forward but I will soon find out.

[@negotiableaffections]

As planing motions are usually horizontal I think the second joint is more likely to work loose. Whereas the Tusked joint has gravity to 'probably' cause the wedge to slip in tighter under racking motions....But if you're paying attention it should never reach that point anyway.

[@carlos_hira]

Rex thanks for charing your knowledge to us. I appreciate your channel a lot!

[@smash5967]

I think your second joint makes a lot of sense in a world where glue is super strong and easy to use, and where thin planks like that are also easy to come by. Most historic woodworkers probably apprenticed somewhere that already had benches, since being self taught is a lot harder when you can't learn from the internet, so they would have the skills to cut the tusked mortise and tenon by the time they were ready to build their own bench. I don't know too much about historic wood glues, but I believe they were not as strong as our modern stuff and required cooking before you could use them. I think these factors would combine to make the tusked m&t the more appealing option, and I do think the notch you cut in the second joint would probably weaken it, though I don't know how much.

[@paulmaryon9088]

Brilliant , thanks Rex, love that second joint, have made lots of tables with the tusk m&t but never seen that other joint, does it have a name? Thanks for posting, stay safe

[@RexKrueger]

I don't know of any name for it.

[@brandonwestfall3241]

@@RexKrueger Rex, bb, that just means you get to name it

[@paulgraumann2774]

Half dovetail tenon

[@octavmandru9219]

Thanks Rex! You give me the motivation I need to start building again

[@RexKrueger]

That's nice to hear!

[@ItachiUchiha-ff5yb]

The laminated joint would actually become unstable, as stated, the workbench experiences more forces in the X-Plane than in the Y- Plane. The fact that the wedges run parallel to the direction of the forces and its wedged as well, will actually cause the wedge to "walk out" after some time of using.

[@AJ-ln4sm]

Great video Rex!

[@toonybrain]

I really enjoyed this video. I’m on the cusp of making another workbench; I’m now considering one with such mortised/wedged joints. I’m intrigued by the designs of yore. Thank you.

[@davidwarren9204]

If you cut another mortise into the key, and drove a smaller key into that, you could really crank that joint tight :) And another tiny mortise and key into that one. It could be infinitely keyed keys, recursively. To speed things up, you could hire an army of carpenters, solely working on making the thousands of ever-tinier keys you'll need. At some point, you might need to employ watchmakers instead, who are better equipped to manufacture the tiniest keys. And the tiny mallets needed to thwack them in. But I digress...

[@leehaelters6182]

You're a card, you are!

[@dismalnitch8083]

Pleas take a look at the American Woodworker October 1999 #75 Hard-Working Workbench with knock-down joints.

[@timothyvolkers5343]

Instead of using a tenon could you use the drawbore technic to get the legs and stretchers pull tightly to each other?. But keep the pin long so that you can use your mallet to tap out the pin there by being able to take apart the legs and stretchers. So now you still have your legs being able to be taken apart and then put back together as needed but not use the more complicated mortise and tenon joinery. I've watched this episode a couple of times now and the drawbore technic is something that keeps popping in my head as a easier joinery technic that could be used.

[@QlueDuPlessis]

Sleep took me.had to come back and watch the replay

[@piffwhiffle]

On the second joint, unlike the first, it seems like racking forces could loosen the wedge

[@alans1816]

Not in my decade of experience with it.

[@piffwhiffle]

@@alans1816 fair enough!

[@johanandree5378]

We're talking about the second Wedge version though right? With the horizontal wedge. I also see that coming loose with vibrations over time.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic, Rex! Thanks a lot! 😃 And you can laminate the stretcher(?) as well, forming shoulders! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@matthewmcdaid7962]

I see that you buy Ikea furniture. I had a table and benches set from Ikea that used the slot and wedge system for assembling the legs and stringer. We were always tapping the wedges in to tighten the fit. But it works fairly well all things considered.

[@fnaah_au]

ok, so that's great for the leg/stretcher joint, but how do you join the top to the leg? looking forward to that video. :)

[@christopherreddinger1803]

On Will’s design, the slab top is held in place by gravity and a pair of 3/4” dowels in each of the legs. The top on my Moravian bench is a 4” x 14” red oak slab. The top alone weighs in at about 90 pounds. Once seated on the dowels it doesn’t move at all. To accommodate seasonal movement of the slab, the rear dowel holes on the top are bored oversized.

[@strandloper]

I recall years ago (60s and 70s) that my parents had a small stool with a tusked tenon stretcher. Rather than a vertical mortised tenon, the tenon was simply a round hole bored horizontally through the stretcher and the tusk was a tapered dowel with a flattened side. it made a secure joint but had a tendency for the tusk to work loose over time so would probably not be appropriate for withstanding the forces applied to a workbench.

[@poochersmontgomery8825]

Its like a giant frame of an artists canvas!

[@TRDFanatic]

Rex, Long time viewer first time commenter. I appreciate your approach to your craft immensely and am always excited to see your new videos. I know I'm not a patron, but have definitely considered it. Do you take requests for videos? If you do I would pay big money to see you tackle a set of Adirondack chairs. I've always wanted to build some, and would like to make a set for my parents 50th anniversary. I've looked around and can't find anyone near as thorough or "on my level". Thank you for your time!

[@Mikey__R]

Rex, that second joint is gorgeous! I love it! In fact, I wonder if I could use it on my kitchen table?

[@trumpetguy8371]

Will M. And Roy Underhill did a test with a hydraulic piston to see how much force it would take to make the joint fail. Ultimately, the wedge failed at about 3 tons of force...the mortice was still intact and usable though

[@stevebriggs9399]

I think it's possible to use laminations to create the vertical tusked tenon using 5 layers.

[@trackie1957]

That laminated joint might be even better if you either bore a hole, about 3/4” diameter, right where the apex of the notch will be. That will ensure the mating part can’t bottom out before getting snug. The other option is to cut about 1/2” off the sharp corner of the center laminate.

[@cretudavid8622]

Ive seen mr. C doing a trough wedged dovetail or something like that on his bench but.. This seems easier and a lot more reliable