Give that 18-20% moisture count another 5 years and it will shrink even more.
I don't employ a lot of half lap stuff, from time to time, I like how it works. In two of my next three jobs I will have some half lap stuff. Scribed while on the floor not in the upright position.
I can't help but enjoy the contained joint and the work being done by a mortice and tenon brace. I can be sloppy and neat at the same time. I can be a 1/4" off on the tenon and no one would ever know, almost. I am going by my gut feelings on this, as DL points out they all will work wonders.
The housed morticed brace has the housing and the tenon for bearing. depending on the type of half lap it may be similar or less.
