I’ve always been a mortise first kind of gal. But this rocker project has got me thinking that I may need to do the tenons first.
Before I start that topic. I have to show the only pictures I have for tonight. (Might as well bore you now after all – or build up the suspense – one or the other).
Anyway – here are the leg laminations. They came out really well. Zero gaps/voids on the edges and the glue line is almost not there at all.
This is the pile of lumber I have for the other parts (minus the seat slats which I’m working on gluing up).
I need to sticker these and let them sit a bit to make sure I don’t get any wonky pieces. I’ve also have some scrap for test pieces on this pile.
OK – now back to the tenon/mortise first issue. Here’s my thought – tell me what you think.
The seat rails and the back rails have two tenons on each end. Here’s a picture of the rocker.
Each rail is 3” wide and has 3/4” tenons. I’m planning on making a hardboard template for the mortises on each leg. The article tells me to make the rails and tenons first then fit the mortises to match the rails. Having always been a mortise first gal, I’m wondering if I would be crazy to do mortises first just because I always have – or follow the directions to the letter. I’m just thinking the tenon first thing really would be easier for this particular project because trying to trim two tenons to fit a mortise might try my patience and get frustrating. One flat tenon is not so bad but two round tenons makes me pause a bit.
So guys – do you agree or disagree that I should remake myself, at least for this project, into a tenons first gal? Or should I go into my “I’ve always done it that way and that’s the way I’m going to do it” mode?
As always, I appreciate your thoughts. (Now back to my cabinet for a little bit).
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
9 comments so far
Moai
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721 posts in 292 days
posted 253 days ago
The article way seems a bit non-sense to me…... your way is more straight fordward. The hardboard template is a great idea, so I would start with the legs and mortises. it’s easier to replace one of those rails in case of mistakes than a leg piece. What a beautiful rocker!
-- Francisco Luna, San Francisco Bay Area.
lew
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4506 posts in 654 days
posted 253 days ago
Betsy,
I think in this case, making the tenon first will be easier.
Typical tenons are a a single piece (tenon) and fit into a single hole (mortise). The tenon shoulder can cover slight variations across the mortise length and never show. Here, the tenons are in two parts and there appears to be very little “wiggle” room. I thinks the chance of error will be less by creating the rail tenons and then using them to mark the mortise locations. Cut the mortise undersize and work it to fit.
Just my thoughts.
Lew
jcame
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69 posts in 475 days
posted 253 days ago
I always like to cut the mortices first, ALWAYS!!! This way I can refine the fit of my tenon with my shoulder plane. This makes for a simple process. JMO, Good luck!!
-- Jed,Ala,jmwoodworks057.com
Beginningwoodworker
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4229 posts in 571 days
posted 253 days ago
I was taught to make the tenon first.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Hacksaw
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82 posts in 275 days
posted 252 days ago
Mortise first. Fit the tenon to the hole.
-- teh most beautiful about a tree is what you can make out of it...even if that is only a fire!I hate raking
Betsy
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2386 posts in 794 days
posted 252 days ago
Thanks for the thoughts guys. I’m starting toward leaning to doing the mortises first. My thoughts are that 1) if I screw up a rail – it’s a lot easier to replace than a laminate leg; 2) Even though there are two round tenons I can still nibble off a little at a time to fit the mortise.
The good thing here is I have a lot of time to consider how to go. I am about as slow as molasses to get anything done – I’ll probably experiment with both on scrap and see which works better.
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
jcame
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69 posts in 475 days
posted 250 days ago
I refine mine round tenons with a rasp or chisel, just to let you know. Its very easy to “sneak” up on the fit this way. Good luck!!!!!
-- Jed,Ala,jmwoodworks057.com
Betsy
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2386 posts in 794 days
posted 249 days ago
Thanks Jed. I think there’s going to be some trial and error in my future!
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
Beginningwoodworker
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4229 posts in 571 days
posted 236 days ago
Nice pictures, Betsy.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker