I have always been taught that braces have no strength in tension. Having repaired hundreds of relished brace tenons, I have to conclude that this is the safe assumption. Like you said, one crack, and you loose it all. Pegging braces is great for keeping things where they belong during assembly. I do not think that pegging the braces allows for shrinkage in the post between them, and I would be disinclined to draw bore braces.
Tstarmer, Your questions about scarfs are good ones. More reason to push for testing of scarf joints. Tom
