Full Answer
What is mortise and tenon joint used for?
A mortise and tenon joint is used most often to join two pieces of wood at 90 degrees, and consists of two parts; the mortise hole and the tenon tongue. On the surface it seems like a very simple join but is one of the strongest there is, and subsequently has been used by cabinetmakers and joiners for generations.
Which is the mortise and tenon?
What is a Mortise and Tenon? A mortise and tenon is a type of joint that is made up of two parts. The tenon portion of the joint works as a peg, and the mortis is the hole or slot into which the tenon is inserted. The pieces are then glued together during assembly.
Why is it called a mortise and tenon joint?
All mortise and tenon joints consist of two parts, the "tenon," which is a rectangular projection on the end of one member, and the "mortise," which is a rectangular hole chiseled on the edge or side of the other member, and into which the tenon is fitted.
What is the purpose of a mortise?
Mortise locks are installed into a rectangular pocket cut out of the edge of a door. The term mortise refers to a hole or recess cut that allows the lock to be inserted. Mortise lock bodies look much different than cylindrical locks and allow for more working mechanics inside.
Where are mortise joints used?
Apart from woodworking, mortise and tenon joint is also used in other fields like blacksmiths and stonemasons. This joint been widely use on wood components such as beam, roof frames, structs and brackets.
Why is the mortise and tenon joint the strongest?
The mortise and tenon joint is another one of the strongest and most appealing woodwork joints able to be made because of its flush fitting design. Like the dovetail joint this woodwork joint can be difficult to properly construct but it is incredibly strong and aesthetically pleasing if constructed well.
What is an advantage of the mortise and tenon method?
Mortise and tenon joints have been used for centuries because they are incredibly strong and durable. The mortise is a hole cut into one piece of wood, while the tenon is a projection on the other piece that fits into the mortise. This type of joint has been used for centuries because it's so strong and durable.
How do you cut mortise and tenon?
5:2132:18How to cut a MORTICE AND TENON JOINT by HAND - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt down very carefully centralize. It on that mark. So it's sitting dead center in the timber. AndMoreIt down very carefully centralize. It on that mark. So it's sitting dead center in the timber. And it simply puts a little mark on the left hand so the chisel.
What are two types of mortise?
The mortise can be cut all the way through the timber, making it an “open” or “through” mortise or it can be cut less than all the way through the timber, making it a “hidden” or “blind” mortise.
How strong is a mortise and tenon joint?
The mortise and tenon joints were found to be the strongest at a tight fit of 0.1 mm (Elek et al. 2020).
What tool is used to make a mortise?
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.
What is meant by mortise joint?
Definitions of mortise joint. a joint made by inserting tenon on one piece into mortise holes in the other. synonyms: mortise-and-tenon joint. types: dovetail, dovetail joint. a mortise joint formed by interlocking tenons and mortises.
Is the mortise or the tenon cut first?
To make a mortise and tenon joint, always cut the mortise first because it's much easier to cut the tenon to fit an existing mortise than the other way around.
What does a mortise and tenon look like?
0:001:52What is a Mortise and Tenon Joint? | Rockler Skill Builders - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt typically has four shoulders that wrap all the way around it they're these horizontal portions.MoreIt typically has four shoulders that wrap all the way around it they're these horizontal portions. And the vertical portion of the tenon is called a cheek.
Which is the tenon?
The tenon, formed on the end of a member generally referred to as a rail, fits into a square or rectangular hole cut into the other, corresponding member. The tenon is cut to fit the mortise hole exactly. It usually has shoulders that seat when the joint fully enters the mortise hole.
What are three types of mortise and tenon joints?
There are 3 types of mortise and tenon joinery that we use at Meridian Products in our product construction. We use the blind mortise and tenon joint, the notched mortise and tenon joint (aka haunched), and the coped mortise and tenon joint.
What is a tenon and mortise joint?
A mortise and tenon joint is a type of joint used to join two pieces of wood together. To make this joint, a joiner will cut a hole, called a mortise, out of one piece of wood. A projection, called the tenon, is then cut out of the second piece. After this, the joiner will insert the tenon into the mortise. The result is a strong joint that can be used in many applications.
What is a double tenon?
There are other variations of the mortise and tenon joint, two of which are the double tenon and the twin tenon. The double tenon is used on timbers that are wide. This variation features two or more tenons next to each other and a mortise cut to receive them. A twin tenon is used when the tenon rail is comparatively wider than its thickness. This variation has two tenons attached by a haunch that is inserted into a mortise cut accordingly to receive it.
What is a blind tenon?
A blind tenon is also called a stump or stump tenon. In this joint, the mortise is only cut partway into the wood. Therefore, the tenon cannot be seen when it is inserted. Like the through version, a blind mortise and tenon joint can also be secured using dowels or wedges. In order to measure the length the mortise needs to be, joiners can place a gummed stamp paper on the side of the chisel to mark the desired length. This allows the joiner to know how deep to cut the mortise without having to stop to measure.
What Is A Mortise And Tenon Joint Used For?
A mortise-and-tenon joint comprises both a mortise (hole) and a tenon (tongue insert) to create a bond between two pieces of wood. Starting out with the tenon, there is the cheek which protrudes out of the edge of the stock piece of wood, with four shoulders around it. The mortise is a four sided hole for the tenon to fit into, which ultimately will create the bond between the pieces of wood.
What is mortise and tenon?
People use mortise and tenon joints for any woodworking project that requires joining pieces of wood together at a 90-degree angle. This includes things like tables, chairs, windows, frames, cabinets, paneling and many other woodworking projects.
How Strong Is A Mortise and Tenon Joint?
Woodworkers consider the mortise and tenon joint to be one of the most powerful joints to connect pieces of wood at a 90-degree angle. While mortise and tenon joints may not be as strong and visually appealing as dovetail joints, they still create a powerful bond that can be crafted and depended on by beginners and more advanced woodworkers alike.
How to align mortise on router table?
Clamp a quarter inch piece of plywood to your router table. You can now align the left end of your mortise according to the pencil lines that you drew with the starting line. Put your work piece onto the spinning router bit and maintain pressure along the fence.
How to mark mortise on wood?
Before you get started at the router table, mark the mortise location on a piece of wood using a pencil. You should mark on the face opposite of where the mortise will go so it is visible when you are cutting. To start off, set an appropriate height for your router bit.
How to finish a tenon?
To finish the tenon, place the rail on its edge and cut the top and bottom shoulders. If you would like to, you could use a bench chisel or rasp to round the corners of your mortise and Tenon to give it a more professional look. How To: Make a Mortise and Tenon using only the Router Table/Woodworking How To.
How to cut tenons on a router?
To cut the tenon, start by marking a tenon outline with a pencil on the end of a test piece of wood. Align your straight bit so that the top of its cutting-edge is consistent with ...
Why did Chinese use mortise joints?
This is specified during the beginning of Linear Pottery Culture — literally when humans began fabricating dishware and art out of ceramic! In traditional Chinese architecture, the mortise and tenon joint was utilized because it allowed for the woods’ expansion during periods of great humidity.
What is a stub mortise?
Stub Mortise: a mortise that does not pass through the workpiece, is rather shallow (its depth depends on the width of the workpiece)
What is a half dovetail mortise?
Wedged Half Dovetail Mortise: a mortise that has a back that is wider or taller than the opening. This leaves space to insert the tenon and is reinforced to prevent withdrawal. Through Wedged Dovetail: exact same design as the mortise just explained, but it passes entirely through the workpiece.
What was the first wood joinery?
The mortise and tenon joint is probably the very first method of wood joinery ever used, and today we’re going to figure out all the details about it.
What is the second strongest joint?
Coming in second place next to the dovetail joint, the mortise and tenon joint is the second strongest joint there is! It is a joint that is made when bringing to union two pieces of material at a right angle. This is a method used for thousands and thousands of years by woodworkers due to its simplicity and strength.
How are tenon tongues connected?
Usually, in the shape of a square or rectangular, the two members’ ends are connected by glue or a locking mechanism. The tenon tongue usually comes equipped with shoulders the seat into place when joined with the mortise hole. (The mortise isn’t only dedicated to wooden pieces either!
What are the two elements that make a joint?
The two elements that create this joint are the mortise hole and the tenon tongue. The mortise hole is drilled or sawed into the end of a member, and the tenon tongue is fabricated according to a complimentary size.
What is the difference between a tenon and a mortise?
The tenon portion of the joint works as a peg, and the mortis is the hole or slot into which the tenon is inserted. The pieces are then glued together during assembly. A mortise and tenon is a popular type of joint that is used to connect two pieces of wood. The tenon is a peg, and the mortise is the slot in which the tenon is inserted.
What is the standard angle for mortise and tenon joints?
Most mortise and tenon joints are square or in shape, but round peg shapes are also common. Standard mortise and tenon joints are assembled at a ninety degree angle, but many other angles and variations are possible.
What is the best way to make a mortise?
Mortises can be created using any choice or combination of a drill or drill press, chisels, or a router. Tenons are often cut onto the end of a rail can also be made with many hand saws, table saws, routers or chisels. Most mortise and tenon joints are square or in shape, but round peg shapes are also common.
What is used to lock a joint together?
Once the joint is correctly sized and passes a dry-fit test, then glue is applied before the pieces are set to dry. For extra strength, a pin, nail or screw may be added to lock the pieces together. Back to Glossary.
What is a mortise and tenon?
A mortise and tenon is one of the most well-known and useful means to join wood together. Primarily used in solid wood woodworking to join end grain to edge grain. A mortise and tenon joint is, at its most basic, a peg fit into a hole. We show you the parts of a mortise and tenon joint and how it should fit together.
What is a tenon joint?
Speaker 1: Let's take a closer look at a mortise and tenon joint. The tenon is this rectangular portion on the end of the workpiece. It typically has four shoulders that wrap all the way around it, they're these horizontal portions. The vertical portion of the tenon is called a "cheek". Now, tenons fit into mortises on the mating workpiece. A mortise is nothing more than a four-sided hole that's sized to fit the tenon. Now, on a typical mortise and tenon joint, the thickness of the tenon is about one third the thickness of its workpiece. That makes the tenon reasonably strong, but it also leaves enough material around thee mortise, which is called the mortise "walls" to make the mortise reasonably strong too. Tenons can be thicker than one third with narrower shoulders so long as the mortise workpiece is thicker, so that its strength won't be compromised. Now, here's a few more things to know about tenon shoulders. They serve three purposes. One, shoulders prevent the tenon from ceding completely in the bottom of the mortise. That leaves some clear space at the bottom of the mortise for glue to migrate. Shoulders also add some lateral stability to the joint and they completely hide the mortise when the joint is assembled. That's why when you're making mortise and tenon joints, you want the shoulders to line up all the way around the tenon, and you want the cheeks of the tenon to fit snugly against the walls of the mortise. A well-made mortise and tenon joint should fit together like a piston and a cylinder.
How thick is a tenon?
Now, on a typical mortise and tenon joint, the thickness of the tenon is about one third the thickness of its workpiece. That makes the tenon reasonably strong, but it also leaves enough material around thee mortise, which is called the mortise "walls" to make the mortise reasonably strong too. Tenons can be thicker than one third ...
Why are tenons thicker than one third?
Tenons can be thicker than one third with narrower shoulders so long as the mortise workpiece is thicker , so that its strength won't be compromised. Now, here's a few more things to know about tenon shoulders. They serve three purposes. One, shoulders prevent the tenon from ceding completely in the bottom of the mortise.
Do shoulders help with mortise joints?
That leaves some clear space at the bottom of the mortise for glue to migrate. Shoulders also add some lateral stability to the joint and they completely hide the mortise when the joint is assembled. That's why when you're making mortise and tenon joints, you want the shoulders to line up all the way around the tenon, ...
What is a Mortise?
The definition of mortise (sometimes referred to as a mortice) is a hole, or mouth, cut into wood or other building material to fit the tenon. The word is derived from either the French mortaise or the Arabic murtazz, meaning to cut a hole or opening. The mortise is precisely cut in order to effectively receive the tenon.
What is a Tenon?
The definition of tenon is an extension, or tongue, off of a piece of wood or building material that inserts into the mortise. The word is derived from the French tenir, meaning to hold. A tenon must be precisely cut in order to fit into the mortise. There are also many different variations of a tenon such as a stub, through, biscuit, and pegged.
Historical Examples of the Mortise and Tenon Joint
The mortise and tenon joint is the most ancient type of woodworking joint known to humankind and has been discovered all across the world. Its uses date all the way back to the Neolithic Era. Archaeologists have discovered it in the oldest timber constructions known, a group of water wells near Leipzig, Germany.
Mortise and Tenon Tools
A mortise and tenon joint can be built using very few woodworking tools. Other tools can be easily found at your local hardware store. As with any woodworking project, safety equipment is also essential. Make sure to wear protective gloves and eyewear when working building a mortise and tenon.
What type of joint is mortise and tenon?
What is a Mortise and Tenon? A mortise and tenon is a type of joint that is made up of two parts. The tenon portion of the joint works as a peg, and the mortis is the hole or slot into which the tenon is inserted. The pieces are then glued together during assembly.
What is a mortise tenon joint used for?
The mortise and tenon joint (also called “mortice” in Britain) is one of the strongest and most-widely used woodworking joints. It is an effective joint for holding together timber frame buildings, tables, chairs, doors, cabinets, windows, tool chests, clocks, and many, many other pieces of wooden furniture.
When would you use a mortise and tenon joint?
Mortise-and-tenon joints are among the strongest joints in woodworking, and are used for projects that have frame construction and need to be strong. Chairs and tables use them as does most Arts and Crafts and Mission style furniture.
What are the advantages of mortise and tenon joint?
When a deeper, fully enclosed mortise is cut to accept a longer tenon, you end up with a much stronger joint (drawing above). Since the sides of the mortise are supported by the wood on either end, the chance of splitting is much less likely. Greater gluing surface is another benefit.
What is mortise and tenon joint?
The mortise and tenon joint is a powerful form of joining two pieces of wood together. It has been used for centuries in all sorts of applications, from furniture construction to building bridges!
What are the best features of mortise and tenon joints?
Perhaps one of the best features of mortise and tenon joint is When you use this joinery , there are no visible gaps or cracks along the seams which prevent things from falling apart over time.
What type of joint is best for woodworking?
If you’re looking for a strong, long-lasting joint that can be used on all kinds of woodworking projects – Mortise and Tenon Joints are your best bet!
Why do mortise and tenon joints use squares?
Because mortise and tenon joints use simple rectangles (or squares) as their main structure; they offer a lot of versatility in terms of design. This means that mortise and tenon joints can be used to create a wide variety of different structures, both simple and complex!
Why are mortise joints so cost effective?
Mortise and tenon joints are cost-effective because you can use them on projects of any size! These joinery methods don’t require much material at all, which means that they’re an excellent way to save money when constructing your project.
What are the advantages of mortise joints?
The last big advantage of Mortise and Tenon Joints relates to their durability… over time, these types of joints become more and more reliable as the components become sturdier.
How much pressure can a mortise withstand?
They can withstand tensile forces as high as 2000 pounds per square inch. That’s why they are perfect for fine furniture like desks, chairs, tables, and dressers.
What are two types of mortise?
One type of mortise is a mortise and tenon joint, which is a joint where a mortise is cut into one piece of wood, and a tenon is cut into the other piece of wood, and the two pieces are fitted together. Another type of mortise is a mortise lock, which is a lock that is recessed into a door or piece of furniture.
Why is it called mortise and tenon?
Mortise and tenon is a type of joinery in which a tenon, or projection, is inserted into a mortise, or hole.
What is a hinge mortise?
A hinge mortise is a recess or hole cut into a door or piece of furniture to receive a hinge.
What is a mortise on a door?
A mortise is a hole that is cut into a piece of wood. A mortise on a door is a hole that is cut into the door so that a bolt can be added.
What is the oldest woodworking joint?
Ancient Egyptians used wooden dowels to join pieces of wood together and this is thought to be the oldest woodworking joint.
Who invented the mortiser?
The mortiser, a machine used for making square or rectangular holes in wood, was invented by Alexander Cummings in 1776.
How do you cut through a tenon?
To cut through a tenon, use a saw with a fine-toothed blade. Make sure the saw is sharp so that it will create a clean cut.
Explaining The Mortise & Tenon
Okay But, How Long Have They Been Around…
- Y’know Stonehenge? Yes, that Stonehenge. Well, the whole reason behind why we still get to stand in front of those awe-inspiring and slightly creepy figures is thanks to the mortise and tenon joint. This type of joinery has clearly been around for a long time… Archeologists have fun mortise and tendon joints in water wells that were built in the Early Neolithic period… This is specified during …
The Types
- Types of Mortises
Open Mortise:a mortise that has 3 visible sides Stub Mortise:a mortise that does not pass through the workpiece, is rather shallow (its depth depends on the width of the workpiece) Through Mortise:very simple, a mortise that passes entirely through a workpiece Wedged Half Dovetail M… - Types of Tenons
Stub Tenon:a tenon shorter than the width of the mortised member, so that the tenon doesn’t show Through Tenon:tenon that passes through the workpiece and its end is entirely visible Loose Tenon:a separate limb of the joint that is later added on (not originally fabricated from the workp…
Where Are They used?
- They are one of the most common and strongest types of wood joinery. They can be used truly anywhere. It is after all a peg in a hole! We already learned all of the traditional ways in which they were used, but today the mortise and tenon joint is used in the construction of chairs, tables,frames, doors, windows, cabinets, you name it! It can be joined at a 90-degree angle or it c…
FAQ
- Is a mortise and tenon joint strong?
Absolutely! Second to the dovetail joint, it’s the strongest. This is due to the fact that weight and pressure are evenly distributed throughout the entire material, strain is not in one concentrated location. - What can a mortise and tenon joint be used for?
Almost any type of wood joinery can use the mortise and tenon joint. Any type of furniture making, doors, windows, etc..