positions of the mortises. The legs can then be laid flat
and the mortises accurately marked out with a fair degree of assurance
that they will not be cut where they are not wanted and that the legs
shall "pair" properly when effort is made to assemble the parts of the
table.

[Illustration: Details of Table Construction]

The table ends should be glued up first and the glue allowed to harden,
after which the tenons of the shelf may be inserted and the side rails
placed.

There is a reason for the shape, size and location of each tenon or
mortise. For illustration, the shape of the tenon on the top rails
permits the surface of the rail to extend almost flush with the surface
of the post at the same time permitting the mortise in the post to be
kept away from that surface. Again, the shape of the ends of the slats
is such that, though they may vary slightly in length, the fitting of
the joints will not be affected. Care must be taken in cutting the
mortises to keep their sides clean and sharp and to size.

In making the mortises for the keyed tenons, the length of mortise must
be slightly in excess of the width of the tenon--about 1/8 in. of play
to each side of each tenon. With a shelf of the width specified for this
table, if such allowance is not made so that the tenons may move
sideways, the shrinkage would split the shelf.

In cutting across the ends of the shelf, between the tenons, leave a
hole in the waste so that the turning saw or compass saw can be
inserted. Saw within one-sixteenth of the line, after which this margin
may be removed with chisel and mallet.

In Fig. 3 is shown two views of the keyed tenon and the key. The mortise
for the key is to be placed in the middle of the tenon. It will be noted
that this mortise is laid out 1-1/16 in. from the shoulder of the tenon
while the stretcher is 1-1/8 in. thick. This is to insure the key's
pulling the shelf tightly against the side of the stretcher.

Keys may be made in a variety of shapes. The one shown is simple and
structurally good. Whatever shape is used, the important thing to keep
in mind is that the size of the key and the slant of its forward surface
where it passes through the tenon must be kept the same as the mortise
made for it in the tenon.

The top is to be fastened to the rails by means either of wooden
buttons, Fig. 4, or small angle irons.

There are a bewildering number of mission finishes upon the market. A
very satisfactory one i