As a rule I generally like to make mortises first and then fit the tenons to them, but in this case I am using a machine to make the mortises so I know that they will all come out the same width. That’s why I waited to finish the mortises in the back legs until now.
I wanted to make sure that I had the side aprons out of the way. I fit those tenons to the front legs which will be the same as the back.
Here’s all my legs, set out for left and right. I selected the best sides for the outside where they will show.
Then I went back to the template I used to cut the back legs. I drew the start and end of the mortises on it to transfer it to each leg. I used the full sized drawing to mark the template first.
Here’s a closeup of what I’m talking about:
Then just to be certain that I put the mortises in the correct place I made a small mark with ink where they will go.
I setup the mortise machine to put the mortise the same distance from the edge as the front legs. Since the legs didn’t lie flat. I just used two scrap pieces to space them away from the back and the surface. I used these for both sides to keep the position and depth of the mortises the same.
Remember that when I made the template, I made sure that the section where the mortises went, was perfectly square allowing me used a flat spacer to do this.
Finally they are all done:
Next time I will have it easy. Making the front and back aprons.
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
16 comments so far
a1Jim
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87375 posts in 1750 days
#1 posted 758 days ago
Super work Gary great blog.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
patron
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12080 posts in 1513 days
#2 posted 758 days ago
moving right along gary
and excellent step by step tutorial
all the way through
will this be black tie
or come as you are
and what can i bring
to compliment dinner
-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle
Bertha
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13115 posts in 866 days
#3 posted 758 days ago
Boy, you’ve been busy. These are going to be fantastic. I just bought a bench top mortiser. I’m happy to see one being successfully put through its paces!
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
littlecope
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2338 posts in 1674 days
#4 posted 758 days ago
Thoroughly enjoying the journey Gary… very fine work on both the chairs and the blog…
-- Mike in Concord, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.
Eric_S
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1522 posts in 1368 days
#5 posted 758 days ago
Those chairs are going to look amazing. Great work Gary.
-- - Eric Indianapolis, IN
Karson
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34370 posts in 2573 days
#6 posted 758 days ago
A great job Gary.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2152 days
#7 posted 758 days ago
This really is coming along nicely, Gary.
Great job.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
lew
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8989 posts in 1928 days
#8 posted 758 days ago
Where’s all the dirt!
!
looking good, Gary!
Lew
-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1845 days
#9 posted 758 days ago
Great blog, Gary.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
BertFlores58
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1539 posts in 1095 days
#10 posted 757 days ago
The lesson learned today is to plan ahead. Going back to the start… everything being planned… being resourceful what machine, tools, and techniques will allow no other ifs and changes. I really like the way you posted this tutorial. Thanks Gary. Keep it going.
-- Bert
sras
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3248 posts in 1302 days
#11 posted 757 days ago
You’re making great progress Gary! Far faster than my kitchen stools project.
-- Steve - Impatience is Expensive
tinnman65
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897 posts in 1586 days
#12 posted 757 days ago
Great job Gary, I’m really enjoying seeing your process.
-- Paul--- Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. — Scott Adams
Joe Lyddon
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6401 posts in 2225 days
#13 posted 757 days ago
I’m glad you didn’t get the Left vs Right sides mixed up…
Looking good…
... onward…
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"
GaryK
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10263 posts in 2161 days
#14 posted 757 days ago
sras – Pretty nice job you’re doing! How do you like working with mahogany?
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
Ken90712
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12676 posts in 1361 days
#15 posted 757 days ago
Wow coming along real nice. Love seeing the project updates.
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
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