Mortise and Tenon Joints

!±8± Mortise and Tenon Joints

Mortise and tenon is one of the oldest and simplest joints around, but it is also one of the strongest. When tested against other joints by Wood Magazine, the mortise and tenon joint took two to three times more force to break than any other joint that they tested. It also took the award for hardest joint to pull apart. Over 4,700 pounds of force were used to pull this joint apart, and it still didn't budge before the wood broke.

The mortise is the female "receiving" end of the joint. A hole is cut partway or all the way through a piece of wood. The tenon is formed on the other piece of wood. The tenon is the male end. It is a tab cut into a piece of wood that fits perfectly into the mortise. This joint joins two pieces of wood at ninety degrees, like a key in a lock.

An open mortise is the same as a bridle joint. A tenon is cut into the end of a board, and a mortise into the other, just like a regular mortise and tenon joint. However, the tenon is cut to be the full length of the end of the board. So, it is more like the tongue of a tongue and groove joint, only cut on two sides. The mortise is more of a slot than a hole. You can use a router or a circular saw to cut the slot and tenon of the open mortise joint.

A stub mortise is a mortise that doesn't go all the way through the board. It is a hole of a specific depth and the tenon is cut to fit into the hole. A through mortise is one that has a mortise that completely goes through the board.

One of the oldest types of mortise and tenon joints is the dovetail joint. This joint is known for its tensile strength and is often used in furniture that will be put through a lot of pushing and pulling. You will most likely see a dovetail joint if you open your dresser drawer and take a look where the front connects with the sides. For this joint, pins are cut in the end of one board. Then tails, or slots, are cut in the end of the other board. The pins and tails are usually cut into a trapezoid shape and glued. No other hardware is needed once the dovetails are glued into place.

There are many types of joints that you can use depending on what you are building. Mortise and tenon joints are great for projects that will need to endure a lot of wear and tear. You can also use dowels for joining boards together. A dowel rod creates a strong joint and can sometimes be easier than some mortise and tenon joints. Consult a woodworking professional or follow professional advice when choosing the best kind of joints for your woodworking projects.

Mortise and Tenon Joints

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The Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System - A Brief History

!±8± The Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System - A Brief History

The pocket hole jig is a familiar and popular tool to all woodworking enthusiasts.  It is a tool used for making pocket hole joints to join wood together.  The Kreg Tool Company of Huxley, Iowa revolutionized this indispensable tool with its introduction of the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig.  Here is the history behind The Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System, the company and its founder.

Out of pure necessity, Craig Sommerfeld a tool and die maker, created his first tool the "Craig's Jig" in 1986.  This was a single-hole pocket hole jig made from steel and aluminum.  Seeing the potential of his tool, Craig founded The Kreg Tool Company and revolutionized pocket hole joinery.  Today Kreg Tool is the leader in Pocket Hole Technology with its simple solutions and variations of the pocket hole jig.

In the 90's numerous new tool innovations and upgrades were made.  The Single-drill guide M1 Kreg Jig had been made available and the Two-drill guide M2 Kreg Jig was introduced.  Because of the demand the K2 Kreg Jig was also introduced.  The DK100 machine was developed for the custom cabinet and furniture shops and the portable Rocket Jig was patented. The Single drill guide Mini Kreg Jig, an entry level tool great for repairs and space constrained applications was brought out in 1998.

The 21st. Century brought automation and diversification to the Kreg product line.  The Kreg Jig K2000 ProPack, the second generation Kreg Jig, the Mini Kreg Jig and Rocket Jigs were launched. The DK1100 single-spindle machines and the DK3100 three spindle machine enter the market place. The 4 and 5 spindle DK4100 and DK5100 machines, designed to drill pocket holes in cabinet sides, stairs, and drawer box components, came out a year later. Product diversification was made with the addition of the Precision Miter Gauge, Precision Band Saw Fence, and Precision Trak and Stop Kit all designed to make cutting wood more accurate.

In 2005 the third generation jig or the Kreg K3 Jig and the Kreg Jig K3 master System was introduced. The tool contains the latest in Pocket Hole Technology including interchangeable drill guide design, front side clamping, Face Clamp, Portable Base, Drill Guide Spacer, Spacerdust collection, infinite upright adjustment, material support stop, and Instruction Manual

While pocket hole jigs have been used by the woodworking industry for many years, The Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System has simplified pocket joinery by its history of innovations and consistent improvements. 

Want to learn more about the features of the Kreg K3 Jig and the Kreg Pocket Hole System?

The Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System - A Brief History

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