Mortise and Tenon

The mortise and tenon joint is a woodworking technique used to join two pieces of wood at a 90 degree angle. It has been employed by woodworkers for thousands of years. This strong and stable joint connects the pieces either through gluing or by locking them into place.

The mortise and tenon joint yields durable structural connections and presents an aesthetically pleasing appearance. However, creating the joint requires precise measurement and clean cutting, which some may find difficult.

Essentially, the mortise and tenon joint consists of two key components - the mortise hole and the tenon tongue. The mortise is a square or rectangular opening cut into one piece of wood. The tenon, cut on the end of the other piece (often referred to as the rail), is shaped to fit precisely inside the mortise hole. Shoulders on the tenon rest against the wood when fully inserted. Additional securing methods like pins or wedges can be used to fix the joint tightly in place once glued.

In its simplest form, the mortise and tenon joint proves both structurally sound and straightforward to implement. Variations exist, but the basic design has endured due to its inherent strength and functionality for wood assembly.