Box Tenon Too Small

I've glued thin strips onto the sides of undersized tenons. It's a good use for those long ribbon-like plane shavings.

Toulouse? LOL

If you can re-mount on the lathe, cut a small groove in the tenon and glue in a rubber "O" ring.

I've turned a loose tenon even smaller, then turned a fitted ring to glue over the small tenon.  Once dry, re-turn the tenon to fit the lid.  You could also glue a fitted ring into the lid and re-turn it to fit the original tenon.  In both cases, make sure the grain orientation matches the original box part.

Added later 03 min 09 s:

One other thing.  Humidity matters.  I live in San Diego about 8-10 miles from the ocean.  I made a box for a friend with a perfect fit.  He lived very close to the water.  At his house, the lid was too tight.  I slightly trimmed the tenon on the lathe.  Loose at my house, but OK fit at his.  Seattle is a dry climate compared to Indiana.  I'm guessing that you have a humidity problem between the two locations.

With seasonal changes now, you may find the fit snugger. That depending on your class timing: dry summer/wet winter in Seattle.

Never ....ever...heard that one in Violin repair school in Red Wing, MN

Fitting pegs to a properly reamed peg hole is the only way it's done properly.
If the peg holes have been worn, or damaged (like by glue covered thread) they are repaired with a coil of wood shavings inserted and hide glued...then "unwound" until tight in the peg hole.....using a long stick that is made to fit the peg taper, waxed so the glue won't stick and twisted to tighten the glue soaked shaving into the hole.  When the glue has dried the hole is reamed back to original size...and trimmed flush on both sides of the peg box.  Then pegs....that are shaved to the proper size and taper are fit to the "new" holes....of course.

Sorry...couldn't resist.....  

I was born in Red Wing , MN.

admin wrote:

I was born in Red Wing , MN.

So you're still fiddling around or looking for small holes to ream out, right?