Tenons and Dovetails on Front Rails

2012.11.23

I resawed a narrow piece, did some crosscutting and planing, and ended up with four pieces for the top and bottom rails of the two tables.  The top rails are 1/2″ thick, the bottom rails are 3/4″.

Resawn board for front rails
Top and bottom rails

2012.12.03

The tenons on the bottom rail are pretty small, but I did drive the mortises deeper than for the aprons, so they are about 5/8″ long.

Front bottom rail tenon
Front bottom rail dry fit

2012.12.06

The top rail is attached with dovetails rather than mortises and tenons.

Preparing to saw dovetail on top rail
Top rail dovetail

2012.12.11

Marking dovetail socket for top rail
Beginning dovetail socket for top rail

By the time all the waste is excavated, the dovetail sockets open into the apron mortise below.

Dovetail socket for top rail
Top rail dovetail dry fit
Nightstand base dry fit