What is the best way to cut a mortise and tenen join in wood.?

Answer 1

For years I have been making elegant garden benches that have withstood the south Georgia climate, a few for nearly two decades. Most of these benches are sitting on porches and decks, so they are somewhat protected from direct rainfall. One of the reasons that my garden benches are so sturdy to last as long as they do is because I only use mortise and tenen joinery to put them together. It is very time consuming, and I use three different methods to do them. One has already been mentioned, a sturdy tenoning saw and some sharp forstner drill bits and wood chisels. If you plan on making just a few, this is a time tested method that works quite well, but it takes concentration and patience to make tight fitting joints. ( a must if you want them to stand the test of time)

The second way is a bit more expensive and probably only recommended if you are planning to make several of these joints. Get a benchtop mortising machine and a tenening jig for the table saw. This is a very good investment if you have a woodshop and you are planning to make furniture.

The third way is my preferred way for the garden benches. I use a router with a mortise and tenen jig. I have two different jigs, and both make spectacular joints every time. They are super messy with the saw dust, but faster than the other two ways mentioned above, and about as accurate as you can get. One jig was made by Porter Cable called the Mor-Ten Jig, they have discontinued the jig, and you will probably have a real hard time getting one of these. The other is made by LEICHTUNG WORK SHOPS called the JointMaster Joinery system. I bought this one just to see if it was a suitable replacement for the Porter Cable Jig. It cerainly is. It makes a greater variety of joints and I would recommend that if you are planning to make several joints but have a budget, this is the jig to buy. It will work with most any router. I added the URL for this product below.

Good luck cutting those mortise and tenens! Once you master it, you will vever use a dowell for a joint again.

Answer 2

Depends on how many times you're going to do it, what you are working on, what kind of tools you have, and the expertise to use them.

Rockler woodworking supply has many products to do this type of work, from 'how to' dvd's to the tools necessary to do the job. You have a variety of tenon styles to choose from, and how to make them.

The simplest method is with a saw, and chisel. If you were only going to do this once, this is what I would suggest.

If you plan on doing a few joints like this, then I would recommend the mortising drill bit, to be used in a drill press.

And of course there are other tools and methods to do this on a high production scale.

Have Fun

Answer 3

For the tenon just cut with a tenon saw.
For the mortise drill a series of holes and then tidy with a chisel.
Note ! If is to be a stub tenon you will need a depth gauge on your bit, so you don't go all the way through.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

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There is enough variety of projects in here, big and small, intricate and simple, and you can pick out new ones as you progress in your woodworking abilities.
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