question on assembly

[Mike Pittenger]

I'm building a coffee table for my daughter in California, and want to send it to her finished but unassembled. My question is around the best way for her to assemble the legs/aprons without clamps.

The construction is mortise & tenon.

Option 1 - glue it and use ropes as clamps
Option 2 - countersink holes for screws going through the leg into the tenon. This seems like the best option, but I'm wondering how to get her plugs the right size and finish.
Option 3 - Plugs that stick out of the legs (square tops)

Any suggestions?

[John Keeton]

Send her a cheap HF ratchet tie down strap with the assembly. She can get plenty of clamping pressure with that. You may want to include some disposable corner clamping blocks to protect the outside corners of the legs.

[Don Bullock]

Here are several choices for using option 2:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=306&filter=screw%20cover
http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/24851-01-200.jpg

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5355
http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/38112-01-200.jpg

http://www.vandykes.com/product/ca120001/bullesye-bolt-hole-cover
http://www.vandykes.com/images/cache/variation/02005516250_229_.jpg

[John Coloccia]

You could use a glue that doesn't require clamping....like epoxy. Just don't make the joints so tight that all the glue squeezes out, i.e. slightly taper the backs of the tenons so there's a tiny bit of room for the epoxy to live, and things like that.

I don't know exactly what you're design is, but I'm assuming the glue is basically just keeping it from falling apart and wiggling loose, and all the strength is from the joinery, yah?

[Jamie Buxton]

Where in California? You might be able to find a helpful SMC woodworker who's nearby who could glue it up for you.

[Mike Pittenger]

Thanks all. I'm going to go with the glue and straps, as suggested. The joints aren't so tight that squeeze out will be a big problem if she's careful. I'll post pics when it's done

[Greg Hines, MD]

Another option would be to use mortise and tenon joints, and then have a pocket screw hole on the inside of each rail. She could then glue it, and pull the joints tight with the screws. It would also be a handy way to attach your table top to the rails as well.

Doc