How to Cut Tenons

Intro: How to Cut Tenons

If you ask fifteen different people how to create a tenon chances are you will get fifteen different answers, some will say power tools, some will say hand tools and if your like me it's a little bit of both. 

Whatever the answer I don't think anyone will disagree that a good tenoning jig makes quick work of batching out tenons, and certainly that it's not the only way to get the job done.

But if a tenoning jig is not in the budget let me show you another method I use.  

STEP 1:

I set my blade height to right below the opening of my mortise. I want it to be a little short to ensure my tenon will be slightly over sized . It's an easy task to remove a little material after the tenon is cut to create a good fit in the joint. 

STEP 2:

Once the blade height has been established I make my shoulder cuts on all four sides of the piece of stock, taking my time between each cut to make sure that I am flush against my stop before proceeding with the next cut. 

STEP 3:

Then using the band saw I make all of my cheek cuts. When making these cuts I do not want to remove any more material then the depth of the shoulder cut. 

STEP 4:

Once my tenon is has been cut I will clean up the surface of the tenon cheek and the shoulder removing just enough material to create a fit that is loose enough to go together with hand pressure yet strong enough to not fall apart from gravity.