Table of Contents
How do you cut a mortise and tenon?
It can be cut in several ways, among them the traditional approach of using sturdy mortising chisels and a mallet to chisel out the hole by hand. Another option is to use a Forstner or auger bit on your drill or drill brace to start the mortise, then clean and square it with a chisel.
Should you cut the mortise or tenon first?
The mortise and tenon is probably the most used and trusted joint in traditional woodworking. For me, making the two parts of the joint always follows a specific order — the mortise comes first, followed by a tenon to fit.
What tools do I need to make a mortise-and-tenon joint?
If you’re doing woodworking on a shoestring budget, you’ll be happy to know that the only tools you need to cut tight-fitting mortise and tenon joints are a square, knife and marking gauge, a fine-toothed saw, and a couple of sharp chisels and mallet.
How do you trim a tenon?
How to Cut Tenons by Hand A step-by-step guide. Begin by marking the tenon shoulders. Use a cutting gauge for clean, deep lines. Pick up the mortise width. Mark the tenon thickness. Mark the haunch. Secret to a clean shoulder. Cut the shoulders using a backsaw with crosscut teeth. Cut the cheeks with a ripsaw.
What is a tenon cut?
The tenon is cut to fit the mortise hole exactly. It usually has shoulders that seat when the joint fully enters the mortise hole. The joint may be glued, pinned, or wedged to lock it in place. This joint is also used with other materials. For example, it is traditionally used by both stonemasons and blacksmiths.
How does a tenon saw work?
A tenon saw is a type of back saw that is used to make straight cuts, usually for tenon joints in woodworking applications. Tenon saws cut pretty fast, and have a rib along the top edge of the blade, like a spine. The rib makes the blade very stiff, allowing it to cut more accurately.
What kind of chisel is used for mortise?
A corner chisel is often used to make cabinets. These hand tools are used for cutting deep corners into mortises and cleaning out square corners. Each chisel face is sharpened using an oil stone.
Can you cut a tenon with a chisel?
Cut 1 — Start by standing behind the work. Position the chisel, flat side away from you, about 3/16″ from the far end of the mortise. Tap lightly to set the chisel, then hit it hard. If you hit as hard as I do, three blows will usually drive it as far as it will go.
What is a mortise chisel tool used for?
Mortise chisels are specialized chisels for chopping out a mortise. They are designed to withstand heavy blows with a mallet, and can be used for cutting directly across the grain, as well as for levering out waste material.
What is the difference between a mortise chisel and a paring chisel?
Common Types and Sizes A common variant is the paring chisel, which has a longer, thinner blade. Mortising Chisel (at right): One variant is the firmer chisel, which has a thick blade – though not as thick as a mortising chisel – and is designed for heavier work.
Can you mortise with a hand drill?
Pro Tip: Don’t attempt to use a mortising bit in a handheld power drill. We’ve tried it…and it doesn’t work. If you attempt to use a mortising bit in your drill press, you’re going to need to retrofit your machine quite a bit.
Can you mortise with a drill press?
Mortising attachments are available for almost every drill press. Although they vary in appearance, they all have three basic components: a fence, a chisel holder and a hold-down. Mortising bits cut square holes. The auger bit fits inside the chisel and protrudes slightly.
How does a mortise and tenon joint work?
The mortise and tenon joint functions by inserting one end of a piece of wood into a hole in another piece of wood. It’s that simple. Like the dovetail joint, a mortise and tenon can be carved by hand, but that requires a certain skill level and aptitude for using a wide variety of hand tools.
What type of blade is used with a demolition saw?
The industry standard for fast, controllable cuts with great durability in clean wood or plastic is the 6-tpi (teeth per inch) bimetal blade, typically about 0.035 in. thick. For demolition and remodeling work, though, a single blade is expected to cut through all those materials.
What is the weakest wood joint?
The Butt Joint is an easy woodworking joint. It joins two pieces of wood by merely butting them together. The butt joint is the simplest joint to make. It is also the weakest wood joint unless you use some form of reinforcement.
How do you cut tenons with a dado blade?
How to Cut Tenons on the Tablesaw with a Dado Set Install the dado blade. Prepare the miter gauge. Set the blade height. Sneak up on a snug fit. The fence controls the tenon’s length. It’s time to cut tenons. OK, a tiny bit of layout. Test fit.
What are the disadvantages of a tenon saw?
Blade Damage Improper technique can cause your saw blade to jam and become bent. Inspect the wood being cut for nails, staples or screws as these can also jam a blade and ruin the blade teeth.
What makes a good tenon saw?
The most vital part of a tenon saw is the teeth. The precision cross-ground teeth are very sharp and cut along and across the grain. They are not hardened enough for your ease to resharpen the tool. This tool is most appropriate for joint cutting and sawing small pieces of wood.
