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  #1   Report Post  
Mike W.
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

Im a semi-newbie at woodworking... I know WHAT to do... I just don't always
know HOW to do it.

I have done mostly novice woodworking projects, but a few intermediate ones.
I have build newspaper and magazine racks that are solid plywood... hung
some trim and crown molding. I have a crappy table saw, a decent router
(Porter Cable 1.5 HP, with a home made router table), a nice Brad nailer and
compressor, and a few other 'OK' power tools.

My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it
(http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels? Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike



  #2   Report Post  
Mike S.
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

I've used the beadlock system and it is fairly easy, no special tools other
then what's in the kit.
www.beadlock.com
I've also used biscuits depending on the weight load.

--
Mike S.

"Mike W." wrote in message
...
Im a semi-newbie at woodworking... I know WHAT to do... I just don't

always
know HOW to do it.

I have done mostly novice woodworking projects, but a few intermediate

ones.
I have build newspaper and magazine racks that are solid plywood... hung
some trim and crown molding. I have a crappy table saw, a decent router
(Porter Cable 1.5 HP, with a home made router table), a nice Brad nailer

and
compressor, and a few other 'OK' power tools.

My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it

(
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels?

Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike





  #3   Report Post  
My Old Tools
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

By one good mortise chisel. Pick the size to fit your current project. Oh
yea, learn to sharpen.

--
Ross
www.myoldtools.com
"Mike W." wrote in message
...
Im a semi-newbie at woodworking... I know WHAT to do... I just don't

always
know HOW to do it.

I have done mostly novice woodworking projects, but a few intermediate

ones.
I have build newspaper and magazine racks that are solid plywood... hung
some trim and crown molding. I have a crappy table saw, a decent router
(Porter Cable 1.5 HP, with a home made router table), a nice Brad nailer

and
compressor, and a few other 'OK' power tools.

My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it

(http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels?

Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike





  #4   Report Post  
Jeff Gorman
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help


"Mike W." wrote

.... the mortise is the hard part. I
: dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
: Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels?
Should
: I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
: get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

Mike might like to try my web site - Mortising By Hand.

Jeff G

--
Jeff Gorman, West Yorkshire, UK
Email address is username@ISP
username is amgron
ISP is clara.co.uk
Website www.amgron.clara.net



  #5   Report Post  
Swingman
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

Drill press mortise attachments are better than nothing, but don't work all
that well if you're going to be doing a lot of mortises.

A good router jig, (seems like there have been two or three a year in the ww
mags), might be the best way for you to go since you already have the most
expensive part. Check the online pages of the ww mags for router mortising
jigs, or do a google on those words.

That said, I have made plenty of mortises with a hand drill, a bit of the
appropriate size, and a regular chisel or two. You can even use a wood or
pattern maker's rasp to clean the overlapping holes out if you don't have a
chisel.

Also, might want to check out both pocket hole joinery and biscuit joinery.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 9/13/03



"Mike W." wrote in message

/I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels?

Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.





  #6   Report Post  
js
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

I've seen drill presses selling for 70 bucks Canadian for a benchtop model.
Thats all I have. It will be the best money you ever spent.

"Mike W." wrote in message
...
Im a semi-newbie at woodworking... I know WHAT to do... I just don't

always
know HOW to do it.

I have done mostly novice woodworking projects, but a few intermediate

ones.
I have build newspaper and magazine racks that are solid plywood... hung
some trim and crown molding. I have a crappy table saw, a decent router
(Porter Cable 1.5 HP, with a home made router table), a nice Brad nailer

and
compressor, and a few other 'OK' power tools.

My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it

(http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels?

Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike





  #7   Report Post  
Routerman P. Warner
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

Mortice and tenon jigs that can be used with a router at the:
http://www.patwarner.com/moticer.html and
http://www.patwarner.com/tenonmaker.html links. Plans available for
both in jigs book, perhaps at your local library.
************************************************** ***********************
Im a semi-newbie at woodworking... I know WHAT to do... I just don't always
know HOW to do it.

I have done mostly novice woodworking projects, but a few intermediate ones.
I have build newspaper and magazine racks that are solid plywood... hung
some trim and crown molding. I have a crappy table saw, a decent router
(Porter Cable 1.5 HP, with a home made router table), a nice Brad nailer and
compressor, and a few other 'OK' power tools.

My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it
(http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels? Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

  #8   Report Post  
Swingman
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

Pat,

You left out the "r" on "morticer" on your link:

http://www.patwarner.com/morticer.html


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 9/13/03


"Routerman P. Warner" wrote in message
m...
Mortice and tenon jigs that can be used with a router at the:
http://www.patwarner.com/moticer.html and
http://www.patwarner.com/tenonmaker.html links. Plans available for
both in jigs book, perhaps at your local library.
************************************************** ***********************



  #9   Report Post  
John
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

"Mike W." wrote in message ...
Im a semi-newbie at woodworking... I know WHAT to do... I just don't always
know HOW to do it.

I have done mostly novice woodworking projects, but a few intermediate ones.
I have build newspaper and magazine racks that are solid plywood... hung
some trim and crown molding. I have a crappy table saw, a decent router
(Porter Cable 1.5 HP, with a home made router table), a nice Brad nailer and
compressor, and a few other 'OK' power tools.

My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it
(http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels? Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike



http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/...F9CDA8654D8F82

Or go to your favorite store and search for beadLOCK® Tenon Joinery
System. This along with your drill will let you do a loose mortise and
tenon.

Bama John
  #10   Report Post  
Dave
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

Mike,

IMO, when you first start woodworking you learn to improvise with the
tools you have until you can afford the tools you need for a specific
job. True, a mortising chisel will make your life a lot easier, and I
would recommend buying one for this project, adding other chisels
later. However, 20 years ago all I had was a set of Stanley bevel
edge chisels, and that's what I used to make my mortises. Not having
the right tool certainly makes the job more difficult, but if you're
patient and take your time, you can certainly make perfect mortices
with a bevel edge chisel.

Hope this helps,
Dave


"My Old Tools" wrote in message ...
By one good mortise chisel. Pick the size to fit your current project. Oh
yea, learn to sharpen.

--
Ross
www.myoldtools.com
"Mike W." wrote in message
...
Im a semi-newbie at woodworking... I know WHAT to do... I just don't

always
know HOW to do it.

I have done mostly novice woodworking projects, but a few intermediate

ones.
I have build newspaper and magazine racks that are solid plywood... hung
some trim and crown molding. I have a crappy table saw, a decent router
(Porter Cable 1.5 HP, with a home made router table), a nice Brad nailer

and
compressor, and a few other 'OK' power tools.

My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it

(http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels?

Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike





  #11   Report Post  
Bob Bowles
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

I bought benchtop Delta and was amazed how much the table wobbles with
locking pin engaged. I've learned to prop boards under the table to
achieve 90° and consistency.

On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 11:38:00 GMT, "js"
wrote:

I've seen drill presses selling for 70 bucks Canadian for a benchtop model.
Thats all I have. It will be the best money you ever spent.


  #12   Report Post  
Mike G
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

To answer your question. Yes you can make a mortise with a drill and
chisels. With the proper set up and right bit you can also do it with your
router..

--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"Mike W." wrote in message
...
Im a semi-newbie at woodworking... I know WHAT to do... I just don't

always
know HOW to do it.

I have done mostly novice woodworking projects, but a few intermediate

ones.
I have build newspaper and magazine racks that are solid plywood... hung
some trim and crown molding. I have a crappy table saw, a decent router
(Porter Cable 1.5 HP, with a home made router table), a nice Brad nailer

and
compressor, and a few other 'OK' power tools.

My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it

(http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels?

Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike





  #13   Report Post  
Pat Barber
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

John Lucas does a pretty fair job of explaining this critter:

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/prod-bdl.htm

You could also use a router with a jig or a edge guide.

The most valuable tools you can possible get are BOOKS.

There are MANY great books on joinery.

M&T can be done at least a half dozen different ways.

Some are easy, some are hard, they all end up with the same
result. The only way to figure out the "best way" is to try
them all(eventually).

The router can do a LOT for you but it requires practice and
jigs to make it accurate. A router screaming at 22,500 rpms
perched up on a piece of expensive wood is not a pleasant
experience unless you are VERY prepared. See the above about
BOOKS.

Here is an EXCELLENT book on joinery by a very bright guy:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...52817?v=glance

Here is another:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...790989-5852817

My point is, there are many books on joinery.... Start your library NOW.

M&T has been around for a couple thousand years, soooo why not take
advantage of other peoples mistakes ???



"Mike W." wrote:

I can make the tenon with a planned homemade jig for my table saw...

the mortise is the hard part.

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.

  #14   Report Post  
Nate Perkins
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

"Mike W." wrote in message ...
(...)
My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it
(http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels? Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?


All you really need is a sharp chisel to do your mortise. A
bevel-edge will work, too, just don't take such a deep cut that you
bend the chisel when you are cutting out the chips. You could use a
hand drill to remove some of the waste, as long as the bit is
undersized and you leave plenty of room to chisel an accurate mortise
wall. A Marples blue-handle chisel is pretty cheap and will never be
a wasted investment. It's important to keep it really sharp, too.
You can sharpen it with wetstones, or with sandpaper (the "scary
sharp" method).

Scribe or mark a very fine line and make sure you keep to the edge of
the line, and that your walls are vertical as you cut. Practice a
couple of times on scrap before you do the real thing.

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.


I think you should resist the urge to get a tool to do everything. I
like power tools for handling the hard labor of planing and jointing,
but I like hand tools for much of the joinery. I am a relative
newbie, too, and I found that with practice it took very little time
for adequate (perhaps not great, but adequate) hand joinery skills to
develop. It does take longer, but as a hobbyist my time is cheap and
the satisfaction is high.
  #15   Report Post  
mttt
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help


"Mike W." wrote in message
...
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a


I just finished a similar project and considered myself too inexperienced to
tackle M&T in addition to the other things on the project. I went the
"loose tenon" route. Specifically, I used BEADlock, as mentioned here many
times, but there are other ways to get there.

Someday, I'll sneak up on real M&T's.
Benchtop 12" Delta drill press cost me $100 - was a refurb model from
www.toolking.com. The model will take a morticing attachment. But having a
decent drill press makes so many other projects easier.




  #16   Report Post  
Silvan
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

Mike W. wrote:

Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels?
Should I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of
tools to get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?


Depends on what you want to do. If you're doing a lot of glue-up stuff,
then maybe a biscuit joiner is a priority. I don't have one, and it's not
even on my radar, but I have a small shop and build small stuff.

You can find ways of getting around not having a drill press. My first
thought would be to try a doweling jig, but I have a doweling jig, so
that's why I thought of that.

My drill press is my favorite tool though, hands down. I could really use
two or three of them. Unless you just have no imagination at all, I don't
think you'll ever run out of uses for a drill press if you decide to go
ahead and get one. Go for a floor model if you can afford the outlay and
the floor space. Having a big column makes a good thing better.

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.


Helps if you have money to play with. I don't have corporate sponsorship
like Norm, so I have to make do with what little I've got.

(Of course the other side of the coin is that I paid for almost everything I
have with plastic, and the reason I'm broke is because I'm paying $12,000
for a $200 bandsaw. Hindsight is a bitch. I own my drill press free and
clear though. Cash-ola.)

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 17837 Approximate word count: 535110
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

  #17   Report Post  
Herman Family
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

I cheat. I use a router with a 1/4 inch straight bit to cut the mortises if
it isn't going to be visible. It gives rounded edges, but I can square
them, use them for added tightness, or make a rounded tennon. I can use the
same to make the tennons, or move to a larger diameter bit. It takes a good
router fence, but no great skill.

Michael
"mttt" wrote in message
...

"Mike W." wrote in message
...
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a


I just finished a similar project and considered myself too inexperienced

to
tackle M&T in addition to the other things on the project. I went the
"loose tenon" route. Specifically, I used BEADlock, as mentioned here

many
times, but there are other ways to get there.

Someday, I'll sneak up on real M&T's.
Benchtop 12" Delta drill press cost me $100 - was a refurb model from
www.toolking.com. The model will take a morticing attachment. But having

a
decent drill press makes so many other projects easier.




  #18   Report Post  
CW
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

Beadlock.
"Mike W." wrote in message
...
Im a semi-newbie at woodworking... I know WHAT to do... I just don't

always
know HOW to do it.

I have done mostly novice woodworking projects, but a few intermediate

ones.
I have build newspaper and magazine racks that are solid plywood... hung
some trim and crown molding. I have a crappy table saw, a decent router
(Porter Cable 1.5 HP, with a home made router table), a nice Brad nailer

and
compressor, and a few other 'OK' power tools.

My 18 month old daughter has tons of toys. So I want to build a toy box.
Lowes has this toybox on their website that screams for me to build it

(http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...RightNavFiles/
rightNavTools). I like the look and the practicality of it. The issue is
that it uses Mortise and Tenon jointery. I can make the tenon with a
planned homemade jig for my table saw... the mortise is the hard part. I
dont have a drill press. I dont have any 'good' mortise making chisels.
Can I do this with a normal drill and some semi cheap wood chisels?

Should
I just give up and make a drill press number one on my list of tools to
get... before the biscuit jointer and other items?

It seems that every project I do I say, 'If I just had a insert new tool
name here then I could do this like Norm'.
Its discouraging... but I'm fairly young so I know I have a while to go
before I'm even close.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike





  #19   Report Post  
Nate Perkins
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mortise & Tenon help

"Jeff Gorman" wrote in message ...
(...)
Mike might like to try my web site - Mortising By Hand.

Jeff G

....
Website www.amgron.clara.net


Wow, great website!
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