Visit the Store in IowaOnline Seminar: Loose Tenon Joinery
Watch this 4-part video series and learn more about joining pieces together with loose tenons. The seminar includes planning, measuring, marking, how to use a benchtop mortising jig, and making your own loose tenons.
Loose Tenon Joinery, Part 1: Basic Joinery
Mortise and tenon is one of the strongest joints in woodworking. But it can be a challenge at times, as it requires multiple steps. If you have a lot of joinery to complete, but want a joint that is strong, fast, and repeatable, give loose tenon a try.
Loose Tenon Joinery, Part 2: Measuring & Marking
Mortise and tenon joinery starts with marking the locations of the mortises. The mortising jig relies on centerlines to locate each mortise. But, it’s a good idea to mark out the full mortise for a visual reference. Follow along and see a few tips and tricks to marking the mortise locations accurately.
Loose Tenon Joinery, Part 3: Jig Setup
Cutting a mortise in a rail and stile is easy once you get the jig setup. In part 3 you’ll see how to set up and adjust this easy-to-use jig to cut mortises in various workpieces. Plus, get a few tips on setting up your router for better dust collection.
Loose Tenon Joinery, Part 4: Tenons
Time for tenons! See how easy it is to make custom fit tenons. By making the tenons slightly smaller you not only add a gap for glue, but it also allows some adjustment when it comes time to glue up your workpieces.
FEATURED PRODUCTS
Router Mortising Jig Dimensioned Drawings
Looking for an easier way to cut mortises? Try this shop-built benchtop mortising jig. When mated up with a plunge router and a solid carbide straight bit, this jig will cut 1/8″ to 1/2″ mortises in stock thickness from 1/4″ to 2-1/2″ thick, up to 3-1/2″ long. It’s a perfect solution for loose tenon joinery. The dimensioned drawings include an 9-page plan with exploded views, parts views and a one page bill of materials and supply list.
Amana 1/4″ Solid Carbide Spiral Upcut Bit
The Amana Carbide-Tipped 1/4” Spiral Up-Cut bit is an excellent choice for routing dados and grooves, in particleboard, plywood and laminate. It is also an excellent choice for mortising.
Amana 3/8″ Solid Carbide Spiral Upcut Bit
The Amana Carbide-Tipped 3/8” Spiral Up-Cut bit is an excellent choice for routing dados and grooves, in particleboard, plywood and laminate. It is also an excellent choice for mortising.
Amana 1/2″ Solid Carbide Spiral Upcut Bit
The Amana Carbide-Tipped 1/2” Spiral Up-Cut bit is an excellent choice for routing dados and grooves, in particleboard, plywood and laminate. It is also an excellent choice for mortising.
The Woodsmith Store Fine Tools Steel Rulers
The Woodsmith Store Fine Tools 6” and 12” steel rules are perfect for precise measuring on workpieces and setting up tools like a table saw or a router table. The 6” steel rule easily fits in your shirt pocket or shop apron, while the 12” steel rule is perfect for larger workpieces and measuring longer distances.
Incra Precision Tiny 3” T-Rule
One of the best T-rules on the market, the Incra 3” Precision Tiny T-Rule Set (TINTT03) is a stainless-steel rule with micro-fine guide holes for marking a fine dot with a sharp pencil or metal scribe.
Incra Precision 6” Rule Set
One of the best rule sets on the market, the Incra 6” Precision Rule Set (IRSET-06) is a set of stainless-steel rules with micro-fine guide holes for marking a fine dot with a sharp pencil or metal scribe.
