I'm working on a slat back settee project that I've left unfinished for a while. The slats are 3/8" cherry wood which I need to make mortise and tenon joints with the 3/4" back rails. The plans suggest using 1/4" thick tenons, which gives me a narrow 1/16" shoulder. I'm trying to figure out the best way to make these tenons since I have a few methods in mind, like making barefaced tenons, knifing the shoulders, or even using a dado head on the table saw. Normally, I prefer the traditional method of cutting shoulders and cheeks, but I'm not sure how to handle the slim shoulders this time. Any tips from those who have experience with this?
1 Answer
For a 1/16" shoulder, I recommend using a sharp knife to create your knife walls. After that, take a chisel and carefully work in at an angle to create a 'V' and flick out the waste. You might need to redo that knife wall more than once to get it right. Once you’re close to the 1/16" depth, switch to a sharp wide chisel to split the tenon, removing about 1/32" at a time. You can use a router plane slowly to finish it off—just advance a quarter turn at a time. It's a methodical process, but it works well!
This sounds similar to a technique Chris Schwarz uses for precise cuts. Thanks for sharing!