Mortises - Square or rounded corners?

[PeteM]

I generally make mortises on the drill press and then square up the corners with a chisel. It seems easier to round off the tenons rather than chopping out the mortice. Is there any reason the prefer one method over the other?

pete

 

[Monty]

Round tenons should be just as strong. In fact, you can make loose tenons and use a jig like McRabbet made, which would be even easier. The only exception would be through mortises, which of course should be squared up because they show. For me, I have hollow chisel mortiser, so making square mortises is actually the easiest method.

 

[Inflatable Screen Door]

I think it's whatever is easy or works better for you. I have a mortiser and cut my tennons with a combination of the table saw and the radial arm saw. So for me everything comes out square. As long as they fit snug I don't think it matters if they are round or square.

 

[Joe Scharle]

I'm a loose tenon fan, since glue is stronger than wood and who will ever see your M & T in the finished product anyway!
Joe

 

[PeteM]

Is McRabbet's jig pictured anywhere?

 

[Monty]

yea, here

 

[PeteM]

Very cool.
I went to woodsmith's website and they even have an on-line video showing how to set it up. I was going to buy the issue but it seems like you have to get a whole set for $30 I didn't see where you can buy just one issue. Anybody have a copy of Issue 147 I can get a peek at?

 

[McRabbet]

Pete: PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you a pdf of the article plus a second one from American Woodworker.

Rob