Solid Wood Machining
1. Mortise before tenonIt’s the quintessential order of operations in woodworking, and it’s nearly always true. Usually, you’ll cut the mortise first, then size the tenon to fit. There are good reasons for this rule too. If you’re making the mortise with a hollow chisel mortiser or router, the bit will be a nominal size. If you’re using a 3/8-inch bit, it’s easier to cut a 3/8-inch wide mortise. Cutting the tenon on a table saw with a dado blade is much easier, rather than adjusting the tenon thickness to fit the mortise.
By
Willie Sandry,
February 24, 2025 | 2:11 pm CST