As a woodworker, mastering the skill of mortise-and-tenon joinery is crucial as it is considered the best joint for creating durable furniture. Fortunately, creating this joint through machining is not difficult and can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time with the right tools.
We aim to help you become proficient in this superior joining method by crafting the blind mortise-and-tenon joint, the most prevalent type where the tenon is fully enclosed within the mortise. You can choose the alternatives that suit your tools and preferences.
Start with the mortise.
Cutting the mortise should always come first, followed by sizing the tenon to fit tightly. This approach is faster and more efficient because adjusting the tenon’s dimensions is simpler than modifying a mortise, as we will demonstrate later.
To ensure ample strength in both the tenon and sidewalls, set the mortise width to one-third of the thickness of the workpiece. For most woodworking endeavors that utilize 4/4 stock, equivalent to around 3/4″ in thickness following surface and sanding, a mortise width of 1/4″ is suitable.
To prevent splitting while shaping the mortise and assembling the joint, it is advisable to steer clear of mortising nearer than 3⁄8 ” to the workpiece’s end. Aim for a mortise depth of around 1⁄2 to 2⁄3 the workpiece’s width to ensure sturdiness.
Materials used
2×2 pieces of wood
Select your wood carefully, as it will be the material you will work on. Be sure to choose a wood type that is appropriate for the specific project you are undertaking. Keep in mind that each wood type possesses unique qualities and strengths.
The mortise and tenon joint is typically suitable for furniture or woodworking projects that can only endure low to moderate weight. This includes chairs, cabinets, shelves, side tables, and small wooden structures like toys and picture frames.
Square edge
A square edge is essential for accurately determining the placement of a mortise hole and tenon joint on a 2×2. You can use a square edge to ensure precise measurements and alignment of all crucial points required to construct a well-fitted tenon joint and mortise hole. Keep in mind that these two parts mesh together, making precision vital.
A set of chisels
For this project, you will require chisels that measure ½ and ¾ of an inch. You will need wider chisels if you intend to make a bigger mortise hole and tenon joint. A set of chisels with a beveled side to scrape off extra wood from the mortise hole is essential.
A mallet or a standard hammer
To eliminate excess wood from the mortise hole, it is necessary to use a chisel along with either a regular hammer or a mallet. The selected tool must be easy to handle and lightweight enough to prevent strain on the arm and wrist.
In this tutorial, the mortise hole measures approximately 2 inches by ½ inch by 4 inches. It is not overly demanding on the wrists and arms. Nonetheless, for other woodworking undertakings, having a durable, trustworthy, and high-quality hammer and mallet is crucial.
Hand saw
A basic handsaw is required for cutting the tenon joint, as it facilitates a quicker and simpler process than using a chisel to remove excess wood.
Workbench with vice
A robust workbench equipped with a spacious vice is necessary to secure your wood while you create the mortise hole and tenon joint. Before commencing this project, it is essential to ensure your workbench is tidy and clear of any clutter.
Pencil and ruler
To create markings on your wood, it is necessary to have a pencil and a ruler.
Sandpaper
Sandpaper was not utilized in the mortise hole and tenon joint finishing process demonstrated in the tutorial video. Alternatively, a chisel was used to remove excess material. However, sandpaper can be utilized to make a swift cleanup or to shave a few millimeters off of the tenon joint to enable it to fit into the mortise hole.
Why use a mortise hole and tenon joint
The mortise and tenon joint, among the earliest means of connecting wooden sections, remains one of the most effective methods. Furniture crafted with this joint can endure for a prolonged period, given the advanced tools and materials employed in woodworking today. This makes for more robust and more long-lasting furniture items and projects.
Demonstrating proficiency in creating mortise and tenon joints is indicative of one’s expertise in woodworking.
Apart from the dovetail joint, which also requires expert guidance to become proficient in, the mortise and tenon is a fascinating and effective method of joining that is worth learning. It may surprise you to discover that once you have acquired the ability to make a mortise hole and tenon joint, other joints and joining techniques will be easier to accomplish.
Rely on your drill press.
Advantageously, there is no need for costly or specialized equipment using this approach. However, tidying up the mortise with a chisel is a time-consuming process.
Once you have a drill press and chisels, you can start the process of mortising. Ensure your drill press is equipped with a brad-point bit the same width as the mortise. The reason for using this type of bit is that it will not deviate from its intended path as you drill overlapping holes to create the mortise.
Grab a marking knife or sharp pencil along with a combination square to lay out the mortise opening. Next, position the drill-press fence to center the bit between the mortise sides and make necessary depth-stop adjustments.
Add a mortising attachment.
Advantages: Enables drilling and squaring of the mortise in a single step without using a chisel. Comes at a reasonable cost. Disadvantages: Installing and detaching the mortising accessory is time-consuming, and while the addition is in use, the drill press cannot perform other functions.
To increase your productivity, refrain from manual chiseling and enhance your drill press with a mortising attachment. This attachment features a hollow-chisel design where a drill bit is enclosed by a short, square sleeve allowing you to create mortises by drilling a sequence of square holes.
Step up to a benchtop mortiser
Advantage: Produces efficient and neat mortises with little preparation. Disadvantage: A mortiser for the workbench has a sole function in your workspace.
Having a specific machine for making multiple mortises is advantageous for woodworkers. The benchtop mortiser operates similarly to a drill-press attachment but is consistently available. Check out the accompanying images for more information.
Now it’s tenoning time.
Once you carve the mortises, use your leftover test pieces to prepare for shaping the tenons. A well-made tenon should fit perfectly into its corresponding mortise with a sturdy hold using only your hands.
Align the tenon at the midpoint of the workpiece’s edge (between the faces) and shorten it by 1/16″ compared to the depth of the mortise. This unnoticeable space ensures room for excess glue, and the tenon will not reach the bottom of the mortise, ruining the joint’s accuracy.
To obtain the best technique for cutting tenons, align your equipment with one of the operations outlined below. If you possess a dado set, table saw, and bandsaw, take the opportunity to try each method and determine your preference.
Prepare all the things you will need for the project.
Before commencing any woodworking project, ensure all the necessary tools are within reach and have been diligently maintained. Chisels and saws must be sharp, and mallets and hammers are in good condition. Remember the significance of your woodworking equipment and take necessary measures to ensure they are in prime condition.
Mark the wood in close approximation where the mortise hole is going to be placed and where the tenon joint will be
Identifying the placement of the mortise hole and tenon joint is a simple task, but achieving precise cuts to ensure proper alignment can pose a challenge. The key is utilizing traditional and manual tools to complete the job.
Use a square to make sure that everything lines up
Having a square within reach can be quite helpful as it ensures the proper alignment of all the lines necessary to create accurate mortise holes and tenon joints. Utilize the square to verify each marking made on the wooden surface with a pencil.
To ensure proper alignment in the tenon joint, measure all sides of the wood, including the top. When creating the mortise hole, use a square to make markings that will line up with both ends of the hole. Remember that inaccurate markings can impact both the mortise hole and tenon joint, so it is crucial to be precise with your measurements.
Please keep it simple with your table saw and a dado set.
Advantages: Jigs are unnecessary, and all cuts can be made with the table supporting the entire workpiece. Disadvantages: Inferior quality dado sets can result in a coarse finish and wood splinters while making crosscuts, necessitating sanding. Workpieces that are over 4 feet in length may be difficult to handle.
It is crucial to ensure that your table saw rip fence parallels the dado set and that your miter-gauge fence is perpendicular to it if you want to create a precise, snug-fitting tenon. Additionally, you must build a miter-gauge auxiliary fence that stretches to the rip fence by securing a 2-inch-wide strip of straight material to the gauge using screws or double-faced tape.
Stay with the table saw, but add a shop-made jig.
Advantage: Achieve polished outcomes with minimal expenditure. Disadvantages: The saw blade’s operational elevation restricts the tenon length, and the jig consumes a large storage area in your workspace.
If you’re not willing to spend over $100 on a first-rate dado set, then you can create tenons by positioning the workpiece vertically on the table saw. This process mandates a reliable jig; you can create one without breaking the bank. Our design fastens the workpiece and keeps it level with the rip fence.
Installing a zero-clearance throat plate is essential to prevent thin waste pieces from getting caught and kicked back. Additionally, you should add an auxiliary fence to your miter gauge and use a combination blade to cut the material.
Try the bandsaw for smooth cuts and versatility.
Advantageous: Managing pieces over 4 feet is less challenging on a bandsaw than on a table saw. Disadvantageous: An inadequately tensioned or dull blade yields an irregular surface finish.
None of the tenoning methods discussed so far solve your handling problem when cutting oversized workpieces. Rather than hold big pieces vertically on your table saw, cut their tenons on your bandsaw, supporting the weight of the rail with table-height support.
To prepare for implementing this method, fit a blade specifically intended for resawing. Opting for a 1/2″-wide blade with three teeth per inch (TPI) count is advisable. Experiment with trial cuts on unused materials to determine if you need to adjust your fence at an angle to compensate for blade drift. In addition, a bandsaw is ideally suited for smaller components and is often better than dado sets when producing tenon cheeks.
Fine-tune tenons for a good fit
Even if you are meticulous in your efforts, there may be occasions when you have to adjust the size of a tenon to obtain a proper fit. Relying solely on glue to fill gaps is not advisable as it will compromise the strength of the joint.
When dealing with a slightly larger tenon, it is recommended to utilize a sanding block to remove a small amount of material. This can be seen in the “Sanding” photograph below. Utilizing sandpaper wrapped around a block may cause damage to the straight line of the shoulder. Hence, it is advisable to use self-adhesive sandpaper only on the bottom.
EH
