I'm designing a storage shelf for chemicals and other items in my garage using Fusion 360. I'm wondering if mortise and tenon joinery is appropriate for this application. Can a 2x4 be mortised and tenoned effectively in this way? Here's the [design I'm working on](https://imgur.com/qS3DvCM). Any advice would be appreciated!
5 Answers
Mortise and tenon joinery is actually a solid choice for what you're building!
The mortise for the front rail might not be the best idea since it could weaken the wood by severing too many fibers. Ideally, the tenon should be oriented so that its wider side is vertical, which helps with load-bearing. If you really want to go that route, consider using a double tenon, although it takes some extra skill to fit it properly.
Honestly, you might find that castle joints could be a better alternative. They're easier to do with hand tools, are stronger, and can still have a really nice finish.
To improve the structure, try flipping the tenon on your front rail so the cheeks are vertical instead of horizontal. Offset it from the side rail, and make sure your mortise cheeks are parallel to the grain for a solid glue joint. Mortise and tenon joints work best with long grain against long grain, so this adjustment would help improve the strength.
I recently tried mortise and tenon on my project, and it was a blast! But I had trouble because I didn't have a planer to ensure everything was the same thickness. I think I’ll hold off on it until I can properly mill my lumber. It's definitely something to consider though!