Double Mortise/Tenon--Long

Bill · 2010-05-06T07:19:29+00:00

I have been contemplating the "best way" to cut a double-tenon on the end of a 4by4, the tenon should be 3.5" long 3" wide .A "dado blade" would appear to work well, perhaps even best, for everything except the space between the tenons--and it is this space which I am concerned about and which motivated me to make this post. Options appear to be:1. Drilling and routing it out (from both sides, before cutting any other part of the tenon).2. Cut as much of it as possible with a TS and chisel the rest of it away.3, Relying on BS and (which doesn't seem as precise as #1, or even #2)4. Other???5. Compromise and shorten the tenon in order to cut it on a 10" TS (which can make a 3" cut at 90 degrees)?This is one of those details that, to the untrained eye, is easy to take for granted at first, and then it sort of sneaks up on you! My eye is still learning....This problem made me wonder whether the original designer (Garrett Hack) might have used a TS bigger than 10" to make easier work of this?Bill

May 06, 2010 23 Replies

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Bill 16 years ago

Your comment is appreciated! In the case of 4by4 stock, I don't believe any shimming is necessary, but it appears I'll be using this techique more generally.

Thank you, Bill

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Larry Jaques 16 years ago

On Fri, 7 May 2010 00:14:37 -0400, "Bill" wrote the following:

Verily, I could have, kind sir.

BE the tenon and you will discover the truth of yourself.

Namaste.

-- Live forever or die in the attempt. -- Joseph Heller, Catch 22

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Lobby Dosser 16 years ago

Let the wood talk to you. It knows whether or not it wants a tenon.

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Bill 16 years ago

The wood won't shut up--it's up to you to listen... T. Enon.

See!

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