Marking out the through-mortise for the front stretcher.  The mortise is layed out after the rail timbers are bolted together, then the rails are separated and the halves of the mortise are cut separately.








 
 
 

The rear stretcher mortise is layed out.  The tenon on the rear stretcher is offset - flush with the top edge of the stretcher.  The mortise is centered on the join-line of the side-rail timbers.
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 

The hardware joining the side rail timbers goes through the mortises, both front and back.  This holds the whole thing together and in alignment.
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 

The front mortise is cut, ready to accept the front stretcher.