How do you mount Traditional Mission Slats?

[James Metcalf]

I am building a oak Mission coat rack. The rack will have four slats on each side for a total of sixteen slats approximately one inch or 2.54 centimetres wide and approximately one meter long. I will Domino the mortise but can not decide which way to mount the ends of the slats. There are several ways to go. Round over all the slats the size of the largest Domino or cut slats square and make a shoulder with saw blade and then round the end like a size ten Domino. How do you make them? Thanks in advance.

 

[Eli]

I would round them over the full length, but I bet it will really affect the way the finished piece looks.

If you decide to go that way, one of these might help, although some just chamfer the edges @ 45 degrees on a jointer and smooth with sandpaper.

This thread might be of interest as well.

 

[James Metcalf]

Thanks Eli. I still do know which way I will go. I lean to the chamfer for the look.

 

[woodshopdemos]

I am building a oak Mission coat rack. ... cut slats square and make a shoulder with saw blade and then round the end like a size ten Domino. How do you make them? Thanks in advance.

Since the Mission look is square, I suggest keep the slats square and cut the tenons so that they are smaller than the slats themselves. That way, there is a shoulder all the way around so that the slat is and looks mortised into the rails.

This is the CMT tenon maker which I used some months ago. In that story, I set the tenon width to exactly the thickness of the 5mm Domino and it cut perfect tenons to fit. If you are going to be doing Mission furniture, this kind of bit plus the Domino makes for a nice partner. And yes, round over the tenon to fit ? that is faster than squaring such a tiy mortise.

 

[James Metcalf]

Thanks John. I will check this out on your site. Looks like a good way to go.

 

[Tezzer]

Jonh, do you have a link showing you using the tenon cutter? it looks interesting.

 

[woodshopdemos]

Tezzer,
  Sorry for a late reply. PC was eratic. Here is link:http://www.woodshopdemos.com/cmt-ten-1.htm

 

[James Metcalf]

Tezzer

The CMT part number is 800.627.11 and named Tenon Cutting Router Bit Set.

 

[Tezzer]

John and James thanks for the reply. Great run down on your site John. Im going to get one ;D