I've started cutting my first english tie joint frame, with the help of our workshop students.
My co-instructor and I started looking at the dovetails and he suggested we wedge them to help deal with shrinkage.
I haven't seen this done before, but this building is a good place to try it, as it is a pavillion and the wedges will be accessible in future (no siding)...
Has anyone wedged this joint before?
I'm using 8x8 white pine as a tie beam so I'm assuming there will be around 1/4" of shrinkage, and would design the wedges to be driven in enought to take up this much slack.
It would be great to hear any feedback on this idea, and on cutting the ETJ frame in general.
Thanks in advance,
-Mark in Ontario.