Shopsmith Forums

I had a similar bed project and used dowels successfully a couple years ago. And I'd recommend the dowels, but I'm prejudiced and use them almost exclusively. Issue 177 of Wood Magazine tested loose joinery techniques. Dowels out performed Domino and biscuit joints in shear and pull-apart tests. Naturally, M&T out performed the dowels. In terms of time to make the joints the Domino and biscuit were nearly tied for the shortest time. The dowels twice as long. The M&T, you can figure that out based on your own experience no doubt. Good luck with the project!

I decided to go with three 3/8 hardwood dowels space one inch from each end and in the middle of the 3/4 stock. Due to the nature and guidelines for the build I didn't feel I would go with mortise and tenon.

Looks good almost like a cloud in the grain pattern.

Looks good, don't know if you got to the finish yet or how you plan to finish, but a little trick I tried on an ottoman with carpet inserts for cats to hang out in really looks good. A little extra work but worth it, I put a heavy coat of walnut stain, let it sit for 10 mins or so wiped off excess, wait about an hour then sand it down back to bare wood, yes I know sounds counter productive, but what happens is the soft part of wood grain soaks up the stain deeper, sanding gets you back to bare wood mostly, but not on the grain areas, then when you put several coats of ploy on it, the grain POPS hard, looks fantastic, not sure the pics do it justice, in person it looks amazing. Couple pics of after I sanded then the finished product, you can see how the grain pops...also to you point, I too used 3/8 dowels two in each mitre joints, lots of dowels, this thing is rock solid, so dowels are a good choice

Not yet finished, my daughter said she will be doing that for her friend. I like the idea of the dark walnut and the sanding then the ploy and will try that on a project of mine.

IIUC that reverses the light/dark to dark/light.

Unusual fer sure(i.e. different)!