subject: Mortise and Tenon [print this page] Mortise and Tenon Mortise and Tenon
That's why it's used almost exclusively for connecting high-stress or high-load parts, such as the sides of a chair or bench. The mortise and tenon joint has two parts: A square hole called a mortise is cut in one part, and a tenon, or protrusion, is cut on the mating part. The tenon, which fits into the mortise, can be glued in place or attached with dowels, fasteners, or even a wedge.
Where to Start
The best way to fit a mortise and tenon together tightly is to cut the mortise first, and then cut the tenon to fit. That is because it's easier to resize a tenon than to recut a mortise. Tenons can be cut using a manufactured or shop-made tenoning jig that's attached to a table saw or router.
Cutting the Mortise
A simple way to cut a square hole for the mortise is to use a drill press with a mortising attachment. The attachment consists of a fitting that presses the workpiece against the table and holds it steady as a square-edged hollow chisel moves up and down to cut a hole. With a specialized bit in its center, the chisel punches the corners square. Both parts must be very sharp for a precise mortise.
Squaring the Hole
Chisels come in a wide variety of sizes; the most common include the 14-inch, 38-inch, 12-inch, 516-inch, and 34-inch. Although a mortising bit quickly removes most of the wood from the piece, the chisel that shears the sides square requires good old-fashioned elbow grease, supplied by you.
Cutting the Tenon
Once the mortises are ready, you can cut the tenons to fit. The quickest way to do this is to use a tenoning jig on the table saw. You will want to measure and mark the shoulder and cheek lines, which represent the wood that will be removed from around the tenon. The shoulder lines indicate the tenon's width, while the cheek lines indicate its length and depth. Test the fit of the tenon in the mortise, and adjust the jig as necessary to get a tight fit. Let me remind you. Be sure to wear protective goggles for the eyes. Safety when other measures. For step-by-step instructions on how to create mortise and tenon joints-including a short animated video.
