Ten-four on that, Vic... Hank's the superlative "carpenter's carpenter".
Vic, Hank will have to correct me with proper terminology...but basically to connect the corners of the boards, instead of just nailing/screwing one board into the end of another it is best to use 2x4 blocks cut to the width of the lumber you're using, in your case, Dave, using 10" wide lumber for your sides the 2x4 cleats (is that the right word?) would be 9.75 inches. Those are then nailed to the end of your side, 1.75" from the end using 16d nails. Using that size nails there will be ends coming out the two pieces of wood; those extended nails will be clinched over, forming a staple, which will hold the lumber much better than a straight nail OR screw.
When you fit your end boards onto the length/side boards, the ends will butt up against the 2x4 and you can not only put nails through the end boards into the 2x4 but also put nails going thru the side boards into the end boards. This give much more support than just the couple of nails most folks would use nailing the sides to the ends. I really should take a picture because, on this rare occasion, my words fail me to bring a point home. Or maybe I already have a pic, will look when I come back in to take a break and ease my frustration putting a thermostat in my beloved Ford 150.
Shoe (sure is nice weather we are having today~, but more cold/snow predicted for tomorrow!~)
