Dear Mr N. A. Curvilinear, I am not an accomplished furniture builder - as many on this forum are, but feel that I should point-out a dowel IS A TENON and the hole it goes into IS A MORTISE! Certainly not in the traditional way that many think of, but definitely in the function of the connection. That being said, dowels are quite easily installed and it is a simple matter to build a home-made doweling jig. I recommend a "dry-fit" prior to applying glue and your fit can be dead-on accurate! Where dowels are not as well suited because they are "round" is where only one can be used and rotation becomes a hazard. Single rectangular (in section) tenons are good in many situations where rotation can be prevented via corners. Dowels can be "blind" or "through" - depending on what appearance you're trying to achieve. I use tons of (round) dowel connections in my work of building prototypes and often - when they are used in a "through" application, they are simply glued-up and allowed to pass beyond their final end, and then trimmed with a Japanese-style "pull-saw". Dowels have been around since Fred Flintstone's days.
There are basically two-types of tenons, "loose" and "integral" and certainly "integral tenons" would be difficult to form as round. Also, biscuit joints are "loose tenon joints". I am not telling you which connection will look best for your table, but certainly whatever you choose will be your own preference. Good Luck!
There are basically two-types of tenons, "loose" and "integral" and certainly "integral tenons" would be difficult to form as round. Also, biscuit joints are "loose tenon joints". I am not telling you which connection will look best for your table, but certainly whatever you choose will be your own preference. Good Luck!
