So my project ADD kicked in and the workbench is on a slight hold as I build a new base for my dining room table. I never really liked the old base so I decided to come up with a new design. The legs are an X pattern with cross half lap joints connecting the two together then from one X to the other I was going to mortise a stretcher to connect the two together. Now I am curious if adding the stretcher in a mortise will weaken the half laps?
The X's are already made and are made of poplar 3' thick x 5" wide
The X's are already made and are made of poplar 3' thick x 5" wide