Mark Arnold
Well-known member
I just made a slew of doors that have pegged m&t joints. I drilled 1/4" holes and used 1/4" square pegs with chamfered ends. As I drove the pegs in, almost without exception they would rotate a few degrees clockwise so they are no longer parallel to the stiles. I don't mind the result since it makes the doors look handmade, but I was wondering if anyone knows why this occurs. The doors are cherry as are the pegs. The grain runs out slightly to the right on some stiles and left on others, but the pegs rotate in the same direction. Is it a hammer issue? If I were left-handed, would they rotate counterclockwise? Any thoughts?