The Armour Archive

A while back i posted pics of a box that I did (shown below)

At that time a few of you told me about dadoing and inseting the bottom instead of screwing it in. I just wanted to thank you guys, I got a chance to do it this past weekend and I am VERY happy with the result, both in time it took to make it and finished product.

I will post pics of the NEW box, once the hardware comes in from Lee Valley.

thanks again.

looking forward to seeing the new work.

I have used a mortise and tennon and I have set the bottom with the dado cut. Both work well but take much longer than just nailing. They also both look better.

by the way, we are going to have to drink beers at Gulf War!

And if you want to make one at an event, veritas just came out with a plow plane that will do up to a 3/8" dado. *sigh*

If I used my Stanley rabbet/bullnose more often I'd probably be able to justify buying one of these, but unfortunately, I tend to reach for the router, shame shame shame.

Nice looking box though.. that is _really_ sharp!

Ceddie wrote:looking forward to seeing the new work.

I have used a mortise and tennon and I have set the bottom with the dado cut. Both work well but take much longer than just nailing. They also both look better.

by the way, we are going to have to drink beers at Gulf War!

Is there any docs for the bottom being mortised into the side with a through mortise?

I'd love to do them that way.. I have a mortising machine, and a bandsaw, which would actually make that a quicker solution than setting up the router and straight edge to do it.

I have several large chests halfway completed, and as soon as it warms up I'll be working on them.. but they are Canfield style, rather than 6 board.

Maeryk wrote:Is there any docs for the bottom being mortised into the side with a through mortise?

I'd love to do them that way.. I have a mortising machine, and a bandsaw, which would actually make that a quicker solution than setting up the router and straight edge to do it.

I have several large chests halfway completed, and as soon as it warms up I'll be working on them.. but they are Canfield style, rather than 6 board.

viking rowing benches and I THINK the Mastymer chest were made with through mortises.


And yeah I agree Ceddie, the Through mortise is very time consuming. The Dado however was VERY quick and actually made putting the box together easier.

Ceddie wrote:
by the way, we are going to have to drink beers at Gulf War!

Oh, yeah, we will DEFINATELY toss back a few.


OH, BTW, I should have your clothes rack with me at GW.

Is there any docs for the bottom being mortised into the side with a through mortise?

not that I know if but it does make for a really well set, strong joint that will keep the beer bottles from hitting the ground.
I stopped making them because of equal amounts of, "can you document that?" and it was a real PITA to make with a jig saw, drill and beer
(see above).

The Dado however was VERY quick and actually made putting the box together easier.

We are throwing together another 4-5 this weekend, I'll have to see if I can find my dado blades.

Oh, yeah, we will DEFINATELY toss back a few.

Are you going to be ther Tues? don't make any plans we must celebrate.

Ceddie wrote:

Oh, yeah, we will DEFINATELY toss back a few.

Are you going to be ther Tues? don't make any plans we must celebrate.

Nope, I will hit site Thurs. morning.



Here is a diagram of a viking rowing bench with a dadoed AND mortised end.

http://www.isarviking.de/Ausruestung/Kiste/chest2a.gif