Cut the four posts to the required length, and chamfer the tops and bottoms one-quarter inch each. Lay out and cut the tenons on the hori zontals, the rails, which enter the posts. It will be best to shoulder these tenons on all four sides.
Cut the mortises in the posts. Note that the back of the settee is inclined by placing the top mortise at the rear of the post and the lower mortise at the front. The drawing shows the positions of the other rails relative to the posts to which they are attached. Forethought and care will be needed in placing these mortises or the parts will not go together properly in making the assembly.
The slats should not be shouldered into the rails, but mortises should be cut large enough to take in the whole end. It would be almost im possible, even for the most experienced work men, to shoulder so many slats and be sure that all of them would fit up properly.
The arrows of the back and end slats have holes one and one-eighth inches in diameter; the slot of the shaft is one-eighth of an inch wide. On the end arrows, the hole is placed four and one-half inches from the lower end of the slat, while the point of the barb is two and one-half inches from the top. The barb is three and one half inches long, and two inches broad at its widest part. In the arrows of the back slats, the hole is one and one-half inches from the lower end of the slat; and the point of the barb is one and one-quarter inches from the top end.
The barb is of the same width as that of the end, but is slightly shorter.
Glue up the ends of the settee first. While these are drying, put the slats of the back in their rails.
The arms are fastened to the front posts by means of dowels and glue, and to the rear posts by means of common screws, the heads of which are to be sunk below the surface and covered with round-head dowels. The screws that fasten the end slats to the seat rails are similarly covered.
The front rail is grooved on its inner surface three-quarters of an inch wide, one-half an inch deep, and one inch from the top edge of the rail. The back rail is similarly grooved, except that the groove is placed two inches from the top edge. This is to give the seat a slight slope backward. Glue and brads are used to hold these in place.
Carefully sand every part before applying any finish. There is always a temptation to slight this part of the operation on the part of amateurs. No other part of the work shows up to so great advantage as this.
Cushions such as the one shown can be pur chased in colors to match the finish of the wood. This one is of Spanish roan skin, of a soft brown color to match the mission stain. The wood is stained, filled, and waxed.