# Mortise and Tenon joint

## What is a Mortise and Tenon joint?

A mortise and tenon joint is a very strong joint often used in the construction of chairs and tables. It consists of an elongated hole (mortise) and a plug (tenon) on the end of a piece of wood that is accurately sized to fit in the mortise.

This joint has a very high mechanical strength and is often found used in high stress applications where it resists twisting and rocking motions. A blind mortise and tenon is unseen but the more decorative version, a through mortise and tenon, is visible and can be wedged with contrasting timbers as a focal point.

![Figure 1. Mortise + tenon joint with pin, between table rails and aprons/ stretches. Designer: Nikari](https://1044287416-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M3JlcKYAsodrf6BU0RY%2F-M6hWLkt2vjTW0kggF8_%2F-M6h_a6uuIovjvBg7pxA%2Fnikari-stockholm-furniture-fair-2018-designboom-001.jpg?alt=media\&token=a448374f-b699-4701-909b-f5d37d03c04a)

![Figure 2. Mortise + tenon joint with pin. Designer: Nikari](https://1044287416-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M3JlcKYAsodrf6BU0RY%2F-M6hWLkt2vjTW0kggF8_%2F-M6h_fzSFBL9PIkDBC6Y%2Fnikari-stockholm-furniture-fair-2018-designboom-003-667x1000.jpg?alt=media\&token=b834523e-9002-4d6c-a987-5a32ab67bd86)

## What do I need to make it?

There are a few machines you can use to make a mortise and tenon and in the link below you'll find a video on how to cut one by hand (he makes it look far easier than it is). We would recommend using a combination of a [router](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/machine-workshop/machinery-materials/equipment/power-tools/router), [router table](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/machine-workshop/machinery-materials/equipment/untitled/router-table), [drill press](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/machine-workshop/machinery-materials/equipment/untitled/drill-press) and [table saw](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/machine-workshop/machinery-materials/equipment/untitled/table-saw).

## What steps do I take?

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/4M9jlwAQ4zY?t=19>" %}


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