The mortise and tenon joint is a staple of fine woodworking. Different variations of this joint can be found in almost every type of furniture project. In order to bring your skills to a higher level, mastering this joint is essential.
Instructions
Mortise first
1. Insert an upcut spiral bit into the collet of the plunge router. The diameter of the bit should match the width of the mortise you are going to cut.
2. Place the unplugged router on top of the work to be mortised. Slowly lower the bit onto the area marked for the mortise. Adjust the router fence so that the bit is centered over the marked out mortise. Tighten the fence down. Raise the bit back up.
3. Plug the router in and turn it on. Slowly plunge the bit down until it starts to cut the wood. You should plunge the bit no more than a quarter of the depth of the mortise to avoid burning the bit.
4. Move the router forward to cut the mortise until you reach the end line. Raise the bit and go back to where you started the cut. Make subsequent cuts lowering the bit a little further each pass until you have reached the final depth of the mortise. Raise the bit and turn the router off.
5. Slice the rounded corners of the mortise with the 1/4 inch chisel. Pare away thin slices until you square the end up. Repeat for the other end of the mortise.
Tenon fits the mortise
6. Transfer your mortise measurements to the end of the board that will become the tenon.
7. Set a marking gauge to these lines and cut your marks on all sides and faces of the board.
8. Lay the board flat on your bench and clamp it down securely. Saw the lines that will be the shoulders of the tenon first, using a back saw. Do this on each face and side of the board. Unclamp the board and place it upright in a vise and secure it tightly.
9. Start the saw on the outside of the lines you marked and saw the cheeks of the tenon down to where you made the shoulder cuts. Do this on each face and side.
10. Insert the tenon into the mortise. If the fit is too tight, simply pare small areas with a 1 inch chisel until it fits snug without needing too much force to drive it in.
Tags: depth mortise, each face, each face side, face side, inch chisel