Cross grain joint on work bench

[Michael Thuman]

In the below picture are component I and N when glued to D are in a cross grain connection. They mate with H in a long grain connection.

how much glue and only in  the center board of D?  Also end grain connection to J and E?  Yes this same connnection happens on the other end.

I think that is why there are lag screws connecting H to D and E.  Should I be concerned?

 

[lew]

Not sure but it looks like there couldn't be much movement of part D. It looks to be "trapped" by parts J and E with the bolts thru part H.

[Michael Thuman]

5 minutes ago, lew said:

Not sure but it looks like there couldn't be much movement of part D. It looks to be "trapped" by parts J and E with the bolts thru part H.

OK so what would you do then glue it all up?

[Gerald]

Looks like N could be used as a loose tenon and not need glue. Movement depends on dimensions and those are not given. If only over 18 inches I do not see a problem.

[Michael Thuman]

woodcraftmagizine.com Feb/Mar 2010.  n is 9.75 long I is 7.25"  D is 8.75 wide.

I and J sit under D.  

Edited November 26, 2023 by Michael Thuman
Correcting content

[lew]

Agree with @Gerald about the loose tenon. Also, it looks like the top sets ON Part I so. I would fasten with screws to Part I and elongated holes in Part I to allow for slight movement. The other thing you could do is glue the top pieces as "edge" grain up. That way any expansion would be minimized and occur vertically.

[Michael Thuman]

3 minutes ago, lew said:

Agree with @Gerald about the loose tenon. Also, it looks like the top sets ON Part I so. I would fasten with screws to Part I and elongated holes in Part I to allow for slight movement. The other thing you could do is glue the top pieces as "edge" grain up. That way any expansion would be minimized and occur vertically.

Thanks i think I to D with a pocket screw and I to e with a pocket screw then also screw I to J which is glued to D.

Thanks all now back to work!

[Michael Thuman]

What I did was to put a spot on glue on the same board on both ends and that stabilized it (I) then used pocket screws on both ends of I going into D and I into J after J is glued in place.  I am using wormy oak with red and white intermixed.  Once done I will upload a picture.

[DRAGON1]

On 11/28/2023 at 9:21 PM, Michael Thuman said:

What I did was to put a spot on glue on the same board on both ends and that stabilized it (I) then used pocket screws on both ends of I going into D and I into J after J is glued in place.  I am using wormy oak with red and white intermixed.  Once done I will upload a picture.

I use some silicone dots to keep loose tenons from sliding around. Allows for the tenons to expand or contract without binding them to the breadboard ends.

[kmealy]

I built a Tage Frid workbench from FWW plans maybe 40 years ago, one of my first "serious" woodworking projects.  It has cross-grain caps on both ends and have not had a problem.

 

[Michael Thuman]

On 12/1/2023 at 3:30 PM, kmealy said:

I built a Tage Frid workbench from FWW plans maybe 40 years ago, one of my first "serious" woodworking projects.  It has cross-grain caps on both ends and have not had a problem.

 

 Yes my end caps are cross grained also but when you cut a slot in cross end grain what you get is long grain.  Then glue in a board into the slots of both end  blocks and table.  Then for good measure bolt it in place.

[StaticLV2]

Different bench but the end cap on the tail vise side of this one is cross grain.
The end cap is mortised to a tenon and secured with barrel nuts and bolts from the bottom.
There is enough play in the bolt holes to allow for expansion / contraction but I has been a couple years now and I haven’t noticed any significant movement at all..
(This picture was taken just after I realized that I had managed to drill the hole of for the tail vise block WAY off center)  The moral of this story is, don’t build drilling guide jigs when you are tired  

[Grandpadave52]

17 hours ago, StaticLV2 said:

Different bench but the end cap on the tail vise side of this one is cross grain.

I love looking at this bench. Glad it continues to serve you extremely well.