Advertisement
• The objective when making a mortise-and-tenon joint
is to make the parts fit closely together, and maximize
the gluing surface by making the tenon as long as
possible, approximately 1/2 the width of the stile, or
longer if using narrow stock. Balance the joint by
making sure there is the same amount of wood in the
tenon as there is in the combined thickness of the
mortise walls; example shown in Fig. 27. If one piece
of wood is larger than the other, make the tenon as
thick as possible. See Fig. 28.
• Remember to figure in the width of the saw blade
when setting up for the cut.
• Cut all mortises first, making the mortise 1/16" deeper
than the length of the tenon to allow for squeezed
glue.
There are several methods in which a mortise-and-tenon
can be cut. The following information illustrates one of
the easiest and safest methods. This method requires
the cheek cuts to be made first, then the shoulder cuts
are performed. A base stop (F) Fig. 29, which is the same
thickness as the base plate (G) of the tenon jig (H), and
spacer block (K), which is equal to the combined
thickness of the tenon and the saw blade, will be used to
make cutting more efficient. This method of cutting
eliminates any possible errors which may occur due to
thickness variations in the material, and avoids trapping
the cut-off pieces between the saw blade and vertical
support plate (N).
NOTE: IT IS ADVISABLE TO PERFORM CUTS ON
PRACTICE MATERIAL FIRST BEFORE CUTTING THE
GOOD WORK PIECES.
WARNING: When performing cuts with this tenon
jig, a slow feed rate is suggested to help prevent the
tenon jig from lifting during a cut.
1. Clamp a base stop (F) Fig. 29, which is the same
thickness as the base plate (G) of the tenon jig (H), onto
the front of the saw table as shown, so the tenon jig can
pass over the base stop (F) without contacting it.
2. Fabricate a spacer block of wood (K) Fig. 29, equal
to the thickness of the tenon plus the thickness of the
saw blade.
3. With the tenon jig (H) Fig. 29, located at the front of
saw table and over base stop (F), load the spacer block
(K) and workpiece (L) and securely clamp in place by
turning clamp handle (M), making certain both pieces of
wood are against vertical support plate (N) and backup
board (P) as shown.
4. Gently push tenon jig (H) Fig. 29, toward saw blade
until work piece is near the saw blade. Adjust tenon jig
(H) and saw blade so the first cheek cut can be made.
Then return the tenon jig (H) to the front of saw table.
L
M
P
F
10
Fig. 27
Fig. 28
K
N
G
Fig. 29
H
Advertisement
