A traditional table is fixed permanently together using mortise and tenon joints. These joints are strong but have a disadvantage - they cannot be used for modern ‘knockdown furniture’. Modern furniture is normally flat-packed, this means it is delivered to the home, in pieces, arranged in a flat package. It has to be assembled in the home. Usually instructions are supplied but they can be difficult to follow. The ‘table plate’ fitting is ideal for this type of furniture because it can be set up quite easily with the use of a spanner and a screw driver.
The diagram below shows a typical table which has been permanently fixed together using mortise and tenon joints. The highlighted area shows an alternative way of fixing the parts together, using a table plate.

QUESTIONS:
1. Draw a typical mortise and tenon joint and explain when this type of joint should be used.
2. Draw a knockdown fitting that can be used to replace traditional mortise and tenon joints. Describe the circumstances when a knockdown fitting should be used.

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