The Mortise and Tenon
The Workhorse Joint
The mortise (hole) receives the tenon (tongue) in the most important structural joint in tables, chairs, frames, and doors. Correct proportions: the tenon is typically one-third the thickness of the stock. A haunch (small step on the tenon shoulder) fills the groove left by a router or plough plane. The joint derives strength from the large long-grain glue surface on the tenon cheeks.
Cutting the Mortise and Tenon
Cut the mortise first — it is harder to adjust. Use a router with a straight bit, a hollow chisel mortiser, or a drill press followed by chisels. Chop clean square walls. Cut the tenon cheeks on the table saw or by hand saw, then pare the shoulders with a chisel. Target fit: hand pressure to slide in — slight resistance, no gap at the shoulder.
The Dovetail Joint
Through Dovetails
The dovetail's angled pins and tails interlock mechanically, requiring no glue to hold in tension. Layout: mark baselines with a knife, lay out tails using a dovetail marker (1:6 ratio for hardwood, 1:8 for softwood). Cut on the waste side of the knife line. Chop waste in two stages: halfway down from each face.
Half-Blind Dovetails
The half-blind dovetail hides the joint from one face — used for drawer fronts where the classic fan should not show from the front. A small section of wood (the "half") conceals the tails when viewed from the drawer face. This requires cutting at an angle through a confined space — the most technically demanding standard hand tool joint.
Casework & Panel Construction
Frame and Panel
Frame-and-panel construction solves the wood movement problem for large surfaces. A solid wood panel sits in a groove in a surrounding frame — the panel floats, free to expand and contract. It is glued only at the centre; the edges are free. This is why old cabinet doors survive centuries without splitting.
Table Top Attachment
A solid wood table top cannot be glued across its full width to the aprons beneath — it will split. Figure-8 fasteners rotate in a routed pocket, allowing the top to move independently. Wooden buttons (shop-made cleats) engage a groove in the apron and slide as the top moves. Both systems are invisible from above but allow unrestricted seasonal movement.
Shaker-Style End Table
A four-legged end table: mortise and tenon apron-to-leg joints, a solid glued-up top attached with expansion fasteners, and a drawer joined with half-blind dovetails on wooden runners.
Success criteria: All four apron-to-leg joints are tight and square. Table does not rock on a flat surface. Drawer opens and closes smoothly on wooden runners. Top is attached with movement fasteners and shows no cracks after 2 weeks.
Phase 3 Practice Exercises
12 exercises to build skill through direct application.
Mortise Layout Drill
Lay out 10 mortises with a marking gauge. All must be consistent.
- Gauge setting accuracy
- Layout repeatability
- Knife line clarity
Cut 10 Mortises
Cut 10 mortises using your preferred method. All walls must be square.
- Mortise technique
- Wall squareness
- Consistent depth
Cut 10 Tenons
Cut 10 matching tenons. Each must fit its mortise with hand pressure.
- Tenon cheek accuracy
- Shoulder squareness
- Friction fit calibration
Dovetail Layout Practice
Lay out through dovetails on 5 pieces of scrap with a knife and dovetail marker.
- Baseline knife accuracy
- Tail angle consistency
- Waste marking discipline
Cut Through Dovetails
Cut 3 sets of through dovetails. Assess gaps at baseline and shoulders.
- Saw accuracy
- Chisel paring
- Fit assessment
Cut Half-Blind Dovetails
Cut half-blind dovetails for a small drawer front. Check the hide from the face.
- Angled chisel work
- Confined space technique
- Face hide check
Frame and Panel Door
Build a frame-and-panel cabinet door. Float the panel. Verify it can move.
- Panel float technique
- Groove sizing
- Movement verification
Table Top Movement Test
Attach a table top with figure-8 fasteners. Verify it slides freely.
- Fastener routing
- Slot orientation
- Movement range
Edge-Glued Panel
Glue up a 300mm wide panel from three boards. Joint edges first. Clamp evenly.
- Edge-joint flatness
- Glue application
- Even clamping pressure
Pull-Apart Test
After practice glue-up, attempt to pull the joint apart. Assess where failure occurs.
- Glue joint strength
- Wood vs glue failure
- Joint quality reading
Square Test
After assembling a four-leg base, check squareness by measuring both diagonals.
- Diagonal squareness check
- Racking adjustment
- Clamp alignment
Drawer Fit Calibration
Fit a drawer to its opening with consistent even gaps on all four sides.
- Plane fitting technique
- Gap uniformity
- Drawer runner adjustment