Thank you for your comments. A question about the brace mortice: I have been looking through a book by Jack Sobon in which he cuts the brace mortice to 90 degrees at both ends (no 45 degree to match incoming brace). Intuitively I imagine a brace in compression wanting to thrust inward with only a corner and pegs to stop it. But even with a 45 the movement of the wood or poor workmanship may also leave a gap, hence the same situation. I am wondering if it is common to cut a 45 or 90 on a brace mortice and what areas of contact are critical? Also on 8" deep braces would two 3/4" or 7/8" pegs be preferrable to one 1" peg. Ken Hume, I refer to your comment about smaller pegs resisting relish failure marginally better and two pegged braces. Thanks