In a message dated 98-07-23 13:20:45 EDT, you write:

<< Reading this makes me wonder if the combination of very dry
< pegs and wetter surrounding timber will be susceptible to the
< same effects as the mortise and tenon joints in Windsor chairs.

< In his early stages, Mike Dunbar used to recommend that the
>

Bill,
I would agree with Dunbar when talking about furniture, but I don't think that
wood pins swelling can hurt the timbers in a  structure...just too much wood.
The idea is really to get the pegs or pins to bite in, and green pegs are too
soft and deform too easily to get it done. I've seen folks use round dowel-
like pegs, and they just fall out after a year or so.  Mine don't fall out,
but they DO require a bit of force to drive home. (hmmm, I once dated a young
lady who had the same characteristics...)
After a season or so of equalizing,I doubt if green versus dry is meaningful
anymore.  It's the original interference fit that you're after.  Timber
framers? What say you all?
Nick