Mortise and Tenon

mortise and tenon, rocking chair arm, B&W

This method of joining wood was in use long before King Tut.
Nothing has proven better.

A mortise is a hole or slot cut into a piece of wood. A tenon is a shape cut on the end of an intersecting piece of wood that fits into the mortise. When joined, the two pieces are interlocked, rigid, and secured.


Rocking Chair Arms to Back Legs


The mortise and tenon that joins the arms of our rocking chairs to the back legs is hell for stout. This is a term used on Texas farms to mean: strong, tough, reliable, and able to withstand overloading.


Making the Back Leg Mortises

We put the back legs in a jig that guides a router to make a flat place (at the right plane and angle) and to cut the mortise that receives the tenon.


Making the Arm Tenons

We cut the tenons on the rocking chair arms at the cross cut saw.


Other Examples

We use mortises and tenons throughout the line.