Carpentry and Woodworking - creating a tenon
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : creating a tenon
pbhewitt
10-18-06, 09:22 AM
I am going to try using mortise and tenons for joinery for the first time. I was just wondering what the rule of thumb was for how much material to remove for the tenon? If the board is 3/4" thick how thick and deep should the tenon be?
Randy Mallory
10-18-06, 10:43 AM
pbhewitt,
One of the most popular "rules of thumb" is that the tenon should be 1/3 the thickness of the board. In the case of a 3/4" board, the tenon would be 1/4" thick. As for depth, another popular "rule of thumb" is that the tenon length should be the same as the width of the mortise. I believe that could be interpreted to mean that the tenon should be square.
That said, on most projects I tackle with 3/4 stock, I prefer a 3/8" tenon. The type of wood may sway this a bit. For example, the walls on either side of the mortise may become somewhat fragile with a 3/8" mortise in sugar pine.
The depth is quite often dictated by other factors, i.e. on a table base where you have two tenons coming in at 90 deg. angles to each other. Obviously, if the tenons are too long, they will interfere.
Anyway, always cut the mortise first. Cut the tenon very slightly oversized, then tweak until you get a slight friction fit, but not too tight. You should be able to separate the pieces easily before gluing.
Good luck. BTW, there ain't nothin' like the feel of a good mortise and tenon joint when you're test fitting.
One of the most popular "rules of thumb" is that the tenon should be 1/3 the thickness of the board. In the case of a 3/4" board, the tenon would be 1/4" thick. As for depth, another popular "rule of thumb" is that the tenon length should be the same as the width of the mortise. I believe that could be interpreted to mean that the tenon should be square.
That said, on most projects I tackle with 3/4 stock, I prefer a 3/8" tenon. The type of wood may sway this a bit. For example, the walls on either side of the mortise may become somewhat fragile with a 3/8" mortise in sugar pine.
The depth is quite often dictated by other factors, i.e. on a table base where you have two tenons coming in at 90 deg. angles to each other. Obviously, if the tenons are too long, they will interfere.
Anyway, always cut the mortise first. Cut the tenon very slightly oversized, then tweak until you get a slight friction fit, but not too tight. You should be able to separate the pieces easily before gluing.
Good luck. BTW, there ain't nothin' like the feel of a good mortise and tenon joint when you're test fitting.
chandler
10-18-06, 07:45 PM
And nothing like the feel of a really safe tenoning jig fitted to the table saw. If you are getting into it, a less than $100 investment will make cutting them a breeze. Mine has micrometer adjustments so I can get a really precise cut.
Randy Mallory
10-19-06, 05:19 AM
chandler,
I have been using my Delta tenoning jig for years. I can't even imagine doing tenons without it. In fact, I feel more comfortable making tenons with this device than almost any other table saw operation.
pbhewitt,
If you don't already have one, please consider this a "must" if you are really serious about getting into tenoning.
I have been using my Delta tenoning jig for years. I can't even imagine doing tenons without it. In fact, I feel more comfortable making tenons with this device than almost any other table saw operation.
pbhewitt,
If you don't already have one, please consider this a "must" if you are really serious about getting into tenoning.
Wayne Mitchell
10-19-06, 04:57 PM
Randy - I also use a tenoning jig with my tablesaw, but if you really want to get a sense of accomplishment, cut one by hand with a good pull saw. Not recommended for a lot of production, but its a great feeling when you get the perfect fit by hand.