How To: Make a Mortise and Tenon using only the Router Table/Woodworking How To

How to Make a Mortise and Tenon Joint Using a Router Table

Materials Needed:

• Router table
• Wood stock
• Router with a 3/8 inch bit
• Square
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Miter gauge (optional)
• Chisel (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Wood Stock

1. Start by milling the wood stock to the desired dimensions for the demonstration.
2. Identify the end where the tenon will be located and ensure that the edge is perfectly 90 degrees by using a square to mark a line.

Step 2: Mark the Tenon Width and Shoulders

1. Determine the width of the tenon and mark the top and bottom shoulders on the wood stock.
2. Extend these marks to the face of the board to indicate the starting and stopping points for the mortise.

Step 3: Set Up the Router Table

1. Use a 3/8 inch router bit in the router.
2. Adjust the fence on the router table so the bit is centered based on the marks made on the wood stock.
3. Set the router bit height to 3/16 of an inch from each side of the 3/4 inch wide stock.

Step 4: Make the Mortise Cuts

1. Position the wood stock against the fence with a miter gauge or by hand.
2. Make the initial cuts for the mortise by lowering the wood onto the trailing edge mark, moving to the leading edge mark, and then removing it.
3. Make multiple passes to achieve the desired depth, ensuring not to exceed the width of the router bit.

Step 5: Create the Tenon

1. Adjust the fence to set the distance for the tenon width.
2. Use a support block if needed for stability when passing the wood stock through the router table.
3. Make the cuts on both sides of the tenon until the fit is snug.

Step 6: Square the Tenon Ends (Optional)

1. If the tenon does not fit due to the square ends, square up the round ends of the mortise using a chisel.
2. Pare down the corners quickly to allow the tenon to fit snugly into the mortise.

Step 7: Test the Joint

1. Check the fit of the tenon into the mortise.
2. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure a tight and secure fit.

Step 8: Finalize the Joint

1. Remove any excess material that may prevent the joint from closing properly.
2. Test the joint for strength and stability.

By following these steps, you can create a strong and precise mortise and tenon joint using only a router table and basic woodworking tools.