THE CRAFTS 
WOOD CARVING AND PYROGRAPHY. LEATHER AND METAL. BASKETRY, ETC. 
Under ike manage mcnt of Miss Emily Peaeock, r6j South Ninth street, Brooklyn, N. Y. All inquiries in regard to the various 
Crafts are to be sent to the above address, but ivill be answered in the niaga.zdne under this head. 
SIMPLE FURNITURE 
III— CONSTRUCTION 
Elisabeth Sa ngstad 
A\"LN(i considercdin the last chap- 
ters, some of the laws and hmitations 
of wood, and structure from the 
utihtarian and a_'sthetic point of 
view, we can tm'n to the more 
purely technical side of tlie subject. 
Wood is practically a strai^iht 
grained material of a fibrous nature, 
splitting more readily in the line 
of the .grain. Consequently any 
form of construction -which cuts across it in an}- part which 
bears a strain must materially weaken it, as in "bandy" legs, 
except in a very modified form. Therefore all parts should 
have the grain continuous from end to end, and in casework, 
especiallj^ there should be members running the height, 
width and depth of the article. 
Strains of compression should come on end wood, as legs 
of tables; and bending strains crosswise, as in drawers, chests 
or boxes. 
Wood shrinks in width, not length, and this nnist be 
allowed for in roughing out pieces and provision made for it in 
the construction of panels, drawers, tops and all broad surfaces. 
P'^urniture is divided into two groups, framework and case- 
work. The first includes tables, chairs, beds, etc.: and the 
second all pieces cased or boxed in by panels, or otherwise. 
The joints commonly used in the construction of either 
kind may be divided into three groups: butt, angle and framing 
joints. 
A butt joint is the fastening together of two ineces of wood 
on the same plane, as the boards of a table top. For such use 
it is strong, even when only ghied, and practically invisible 
when the grain is parallel or carefuUj' chosen to compose well. 
Blocks may be glued to the unexposed side for extra strength, 
having their grain parallel with the top so that shrinkage will 
be in the same direction. Or dowels may be inserted at inter- 
vals of from 6 to lo inches. But in any case, the adjoining 
edges must be so perfectly true the whole length that no glimpse 
of light may be seen between them when one is rested on the 
other. Improperly fitted or twisted pieces forced together by 
means of clamps are almost sure to split later. 
The mitred and dovetailed joints in ill. 1, and halved, 
tongue and groove and Irip joints in 111. II, do not need further 
explanation . 
The mortise and tenon joint is an old and thoroughly good 
one, with several variations. The keyed mortise and tenon in 
111. Ill, is much used, and often w^ithout the slightest discrimi- 
nation, on so much of the co-called "Arts and Crafts" furni- 
ture. It is supposed by many to represent the ideal of lionest>- 
and strength in construction. It may be used with picturesque 
effect on furniture of a ver}^ simple, unpretentious or primitive 
style, as a decorative feature, or to reheve surfaces that might 
otherwise be too bald. It is not, however, as good and strong 
a joint as some others for pieces which must be often moved, 
as the keys work loose; but it is perfectly satisfactory for 
pieces more or less stationary, as tables, desks or bookcases and 
built-in furniture. 
The pegged mortise and tenon is also a good deal used and 
it is a good, strong joint; but the blind mortise and tenon is 
quite as good as either of the foregoing, and for the cabinet 
maker, usually l^etter. 
Each joint is good for some place and i)urj)ose wliich is 
determined bv reason and common sen.sc. 
I. /)NQLe Joivit.5 
h-titVe^ Joint 
an^ tloekec) 
Blm^OoveT^a H^vlve.) m.ivP^ 
II. Sonne Other JoiNtS 
Tott(iue"V<)r<3ove. 
..jU.^j 
Jo mts 
X 
Pov/el JdinTs 
11/ Mortise Slewowjoirvts 
^ = 
&v>5-k«non T7se>'ienoii tisevieTioll 
There has been much discussion concerning the relative 
merits of the mortise and tenon and dowelled joints, but in 
spite of some sentiment in favor of the former, which is so old 
and honorable, I have never heard a convincing argument 
against the dowel, properly used. It is very generally used; it 
