Bill

When I first saw the dowel solution I said to myself there's no way
that would hold, it's still an end grain joint. After mulling it over
for a day, it makes sense. It's a big fat dowel, so yes there is some
portion of the joint that is end grain to long grain and it has no
strength, but some of the joint is long grain to long grain, which
should be strong. I've got to say, it's a clever idea that simplifies
assembly.

Last time I made picture frames I used splines I hand cut and then
paired. The splines fit well when dry, not so well when wet. Perhaps
it was too much glue, but it was difficult to get them in the bottom
of the groove without beating the heck out of it.

Does anyone know what picture framers did back in the day? Hide glue?
Mechanical fasteners?

Thanks,
Chris