Mortise and Tenon Joints

Mortise and tenon joints are used as a standard joint in several areas of the woodworking industry. It's probably used the most in timber framing, cabinetry, and furniture building.

The joint by itself is a very strong joint which is sometimes made stronger by driving wedges into the end of the tenon. This helps keep the joint tight and keeps it from pulling back apart. Sometimes this method is used in a blind hole where the tenon is driven into a blind mortise. When you drive the tenon in place the back of the mortise drives the wedge tighter.

Often the tenon is pinned in place in the mortise with a dowel or screw. This helps hold the joint together and, when used with dowels driven through the front of the joint, is also used as a decorative accent.

One extreme use of mortise and tenon joints is it's use in large wooden mallets. To hold these heads tight the tenon part of the handle would be driven through the head and out the backside several inches. After securing the tenon in place with wedges the head and handle would be soaked in water until they swelled up. This method created a very tight joint but would have to be soaked again when the head loosened up.

Some Common Woodworking Joints

Joinery Tips and Techniques

Woodsmith Box Joint Jig DVD
Tap into a wealth of tips and techniques on how to cut perfect box joints quickly and easily! Covering everything from stock preparation to table saw applications, this detailed DVD shows you how to get the most from your Woodsmith Box Joint Jig. Woodsmith Box Joint Jig DVD

Woodworker's Guide to Joinery, Book

The longevity of every project is determined by the strength of its joints. This book, part of the Back to Basics series, gives clear, detailed instructions on joinery fundamentals: miter, lap and groove, mortise and tenon joints, dovetail joints and more. Hundreds of full - color photographs and illustrations guide you through. Whether using hand tools or power tools, you'll get plain-spoken advice on how to make your joinery stand the test of time. 192 pages. Woodworker's Guide to Joinery, Book

Router Joinery DVD
Routers can be used to cut a wide variety of joints quickly and accurately. In this video, professional woodworker Gary Rogowski demonstrates router joinery techniques that can be mastered by any woodworker. You’ll see firsthand how to do the work, the tools, the techniques, and the subtle rhythm of each process. 45 minutes. Router Joinery DVD

The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Book
Learn how to use this time-saving tool to create durable joints without clamps or special fasteners in a range of stunning furniture projects. The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Book