Assembling The Mortise And Tenon — How to Make a Mortise and Tenon

When the tenon feels like it could fit, secure the tenon piece into the vise, with the tenon uppermost, and push the mortise piece onto the tenon. Use a chisel hammer to drive the two parts together, but be sensitive with how much force to apply as too much force could split the mortise piece. Ensure the shoulders are seating well, but stop if you get a lot of resistance; you may need to reduce the thickness of the tenon or check the length of the mortice hole.

If the tenon protrudes beyond the mortise hole you can plane this flush at the end.

Look from the other end to check that nothing is in the way as the tenon advances in the mortise

Use the rubber side of the chisel hammer

Check to see if the tenon is protruding. If so, you can use a plane.

You can use an eraser to remove your markings

Your mortise and tenon joint is now complete.

Next up, we recommend the Dovetail course.