Question about a face frame joint that split on a kitchen island I just finished

The glue line on the bridle joint at the corner gave way yesterday, so I'm thinking I should have used a floating tenon instead of relying just on glue and clamps.

3 comments

3 Comments

avery_walker301mo ago

But a bridle joint should be plenty strong if it's cut right and glued well. Maybe the wood wasn't dry enough, or you got a bad glue spread. Jumping to floating tenons seems like overkill when the real problem might just be prep.

tarak171mo agoMost Upvoted

Actually a floating tenon can be stronger than a bridle joint, even with perfect prep. It's about the long grain glue surface.

parkerrodriguez1mo ago

Yeah exactly, avery_walker30 gets it. I've had a bridle joint blow out on me before and it was totally on me, rushed the glue up. Switched to floating tenons for a bit but then just went back to getting the basics right.