Log Cabin Rustics Blog: The Mortise & the Tenon Joint Log Cabin Rustics

Scott R., Washington

Thank you for personalizing this experience and following up with me. That means a lot. We're looking forward to receiving the chairs and other items. I'll stay in touch concerning follow up orders to furnish our cabin.

More Testimonials >

Log Cabin Rustics Posting Page

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Mortise & the Tenon Joint

When you first start to put together a piece of log furniture, you need to learn about the mortise and the tenon. The tenon is the joint that holds the furniture together, and the mortise is the hole it should fit snugly in.

Mortise & Tenon joints have been used for centuries because of their strength and simplicity. They are at their strongest when the 2 parts are joined together at a 90-degree angle, but it is not necessary. Basically, a mortise and tenon joint is when one log is inserted into a hole in another one, then held in place with a fastener. Today, glue is the common choice to secure the tenon, but in the past, woodworkers would fashion the tenons so that they protruded through the mortised stock, to then be secured by a wedge or dowel.

The tenon is a rectangular pin cut from the end of the log. While they could be cut with a drawknife, woodworkers often use a band saw or a tenoning jig on a table saw to safely form the tenon. When you first give it a try, be careful not to remove too much material, as a thin tenon will create a weaker joint.

It is a good idea to cut the mortise first, then the tenon. Leave the tenon a little larger than you think might be needed, then try fitting it, then take off just a little bit. It is better for the tenon to be a hard fit than find it does not hold the two logs together.

A long time ago, mortises were cut using a chisel, but now it is more common for woodworkers to use a dedicated mortise, which employs a drill bit encased inside a four-sided chisel. To cut a mortise using a drill bit, first mark the area to be cut, then sing the bit into the wood, taking small bits at a time. Set the depth meter to encompass the whole length of the tenon, but no deeper than that. When you finish, use a chisel to clean up any rough spots that remain.

Once you have finished creating the mortise and tenon, try fitting the tenon into the mortise. It should fit snugly, but not too tight. Once all the joints have been successfully tested and are ready for assembly, apply glue to both the tenon and the mortise. Coat all surfaces evenly using a small brush.

by: Log Cabin Rustics