How To: Make a Mortise and Tenon using only the Router Table/Woodworking How To

There are many ways to make a mortise and tenon and in this video I show you how to use just your router table and a few everyday bits to accomplish this task. Very quick and easy way to make this time honored joint.
Help support my channel and what I do, buy a shirt!
www.guyswoodshop.com/gear.html
As always, I welcome your questions and comments!
To keep up with what I've got going on daily in the shop, follow me on Instagram - @guyswoodshop

[@Mr.GucciClass1A]

This was amazing. The clearest and most straightforward instruction I’ve seen here on how to do this operation. Kudos, and thank you for this.

[@GuysShop]

Glad you liked it!

[@Dalkemon]

I'm glad we met last night! This video answered so many questions I had about router tables.

[@andrewmurray9825]

Just wanted to thank you for this great video! Totally broke this down for me so I could understand it and go right out to the shop and do it flawlessly! Kudos my man!

[@GuysShop]

Glad you found it useful Andrew!

[@mikeygee2465]

I know I probably watched this when it first came out. I have been struggling trying to finally do this so I watched it again today. Excellent instruction! I feel confident I should be able to do this. Wish me luck!

[@seanporter113]

Fantastic presentation. I have always chiseled the rounded mortises and I don’t know why I never thought to chisel the tenon’s instead. That’s so simple... Thanks man

[@benmolletti1007]

I always found mortise and tenon joints a little intimidating. This is by far the easiest method and simplest explanation I've seen. Can't wait to try it! Thanks for this video!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks for watching, and I'm glad you found the information useful!

[@PFoxen]

I've been noodling my way into joinery in the pursuit of building glue-free furniture for my rabbits, and this was an excellent video with good clean instructions and clear narration. Great find, thanks!

[@joshbaxter5036]

Great explanation. I’m looking forward to trying this. I’m getting a little tired of pocket holes.

[@WayneBrownWoodworking]

Very quick and easy, also very precise on your explanation and demonstration. Thanks Guy

[@GuysShop]

Hey Wayne! Thanks buddy!

[@madelinemcgrath2350]

Wayne Brown

[@markywellsboy2182]

Just bought a new table saw. Attempting mortice and tenon for the first time using machinery. Cut the tenon on the table saw, used the router method for the mortice. Trimmed out the corners of the mortice with a chisel and boom, perfect fit first time. Thank you, Sir.

[@868_4_Life]

Doing Mortise and Tenon joints in wood working class at the moment. This is Brilliant. Thumbs up and SUBSCRIBED. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@Me-gf5ym]

Excellent video. Well conceived and organized. Clear step by step instructions with not a wasted word and good illustrative photography. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you Guy. I especially appreciated the absence of the irritating, irrelevant banter that so many presenters seem to consider mandatory (e.g. almost any video that starts with " What's up guys?")

[@Clintboyd]

Great video, Guy! I just obtained a router table and have yet to use it to cut mortises. (I have used a drill press and chisels in the past.) This video gives me the confidence to get at the project tomorrow, especially with the blue tape trick. I was wondering about the best way to mark out the width of the bit. Excellent tip. Thanks again.

[@dshlomo]

Thank you for the detailed video, can't wait to try it myself!

[@marth6438]

That was easy. You explained your method and process very well. I'll shall have to try it myself. Thanks for taking the time to post it - very much appreciate it.

[@davecoates4827]

WOw.. you make it look easy! Thank you. Very well explained too!

[@jimbennett2940]

Excellent video - camera work was perfect and the explanations were super easy to follow - many thanks! I had started building something for my wife that called for mortise & tenon joints. I figured I could use headlock joinery instead. However, I soon realized the parts of the project were too small and I HAD to use m/t. After seeing the prices of mortising machines I was bummed out. A quick Google of how to do m/t on a router table turned up your video and this is for sure the way I'm going on this project. Thanks again...

[@shanemeeks5832]

this is a great video i love how easy you make it look. I'm confidant that i can do this after watching your video. thank you

[@Simplecove]

I didn't miss this video! Great tutorial, Guy. You do an excellent job teaching others.

[@GuysShop]

Hey Sean! Thanks buddy!

[@danielnuttall5945]

LEARNED more from a 8 minute video THAN I EVER LEARNED IN SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@icyfountain9428]

Love all the information I find in these videos. You wood smiths are great to share your ideas .

[@GuysShop]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@nharua2881]

Very nice work! And an excellent presentation. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

[@donnymcarter]

Great instruction and explanation Guy! Thanks for the video!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Donny!

[@fuhqden3697]

Very good tutorial on using a router for mortise and tenon. As a beginner woodworker this is very understandable and well explained. Thanks for the video. Subscribed!!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks B rad!

[@thejoeldanger]

Excellent video guy! I have been binge watching your channel and its easily one of my favorites on youtube. Such a wealth of knowledge! Thanks for posting

[@LordKaladar]

Great demonstration! I would take the shortcut too and round the tenon! Let the folks with the mortise machine have their squares!

[@Tordaws]

I know this is an old video, but exactly what I was looking for! I could picture it in my mind, but this was a great demonstration. Thanks!!

[@leonardogomez2259]

wow man, you are really good at explaining, that was really clear,thank u

[@user-xg5hj5vc7p]

Just wanted to pass my thanks, this was just the video advice that I needed to make a project come true for a gift. Great video and much appreciated.

[@GuysShop]

Glad it helped!

[@ismanismun5736]

Sound clear & easy to me. Amazing sir! 😍

[@briannewton3535]

lovely job, You have a nice setup, but was nice to see how to do it without the gadgets such as stops and mitre fence. Thanks for a great tutorial.

[@clarkg9805]

An excellent instruction video, clear, precise, & to the point. Thank you for sharing .

[@GuysShop]

Thanks for watching Clark!

[@ottovonstierlitz9939]

Perfectly! Very easy explained! Thank You.

[@Forrest-Jackson]

I've watched a bunch of these recently (about to make an interior door package) and your video is the best I've seen. Thanks for the info!

[@GuysShop]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@akelindstrom431]

Hi, Thanks for a good tip, I'm building a workbench with a router in the bench. Will be done and then I'll try your tip.

[@follertdaniel]

I've just table-mounted my router. I'll give this a try, and see if I can overcome my irrational fear of mortise and tenon joints, lol.

[@beeftimer]

Very nice video. I like you style: concise, to the point. You earned my subscription, fella.

[@oldmanpottering]

Thanks for taking the time to explain and show this, would there be a way to use stop blocks instead of marks on tape? I could see myself moving the stock to the wrong line or even just past the line fairly easily

[@Thefreakingwierd1]

Stop blocks would be easy to set up. One on the one side to start, one on the far side to stop

[@stevecollins9450]

Love that method, Guy, and your instruction was dead on as usual.

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Steve!

[@jeffwaite7413]

As always, great job and appreciate your instruction!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Jeff!

[@tomlagatol4448]

I always enjoy good woodworking tips vids. Good Job and thanks Guy!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Tom!

[@lorenzogonzalez9892]

Felicidades y gracias por compartir tu experiencia. Soy principiante. Si no entiendo, observando y repitiendo aprendiendo. Jajaja. Saludos desde San Luis Potosí, México.

[@ramaroodle]

I agree with one of the other replies. Why hasn't PBS or CBS etc. called you about a show? You are better than most, both editing and instruction.

[@scottmartin7717]

love it man - nice and simple. thanks buddy!

[@frankcornfield5915]

A great example of how an instruction video should be done. Many thanks.

[@ryandury]

That's precisely how I make tenons! Very cool :)

[@JakeThompson]

Great job explaining that process! You made it look easy..

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Jake!

[@ElCarisoHS]

Great Tutorial you make it look so easy, i like that info about the backer scrap plate

[@GuysShop]

Thanks K.P.!

[@BobbyDukeArts]

now I just need a router table. great video!

[@GuysShop]

HaHa. Thanks Bobby!

[@idontwantachannelimjustcom7745]

I got mine at a garage sale.

[@thumperman8490]

You can make one ...there are loads of vids on how to do this. Have fun.

[@_GB84]

Honestly, amazing! Thank you for posting this🙏

[@vilod]

Just got a router table and this video was very useful 👌

[@taylordieringer3128]

Fantastic video, thank you for the easy to follow instruction!

[@locohombre79]

Another flawlessly presented demonstration. Did CBS call yet?

[@GuysShop]

HaHa. Thanks so much for the nice comment! And I can always dream about a show, right? In the mean time, I am more concerned about giving my regular followers what they want.

[@acmcassels]

This is great! Super straightforward.

[@MichaelLawing]

That was incredibly helpful. Great video, Guy!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Michael!

[@TeamProsperity]

Nice job there. Just made a tenon jig for my table saw but I like that method too. I have a Woodpecker router table and coping sled and I think I’ll give it a try with your method. Thanks, looks easy enough. oh n btw, the video and sound was nice and clear. Thanks

[@williamoloughlin8298]

Cheers from New Zealand, thanks Guy, nice vid, easy to follow.

[@GuysShop]

Thanks William!

[@stuarth43]

not many videos are as clear as you have made this one thank you very much

[@GuysShop]

Thanks!

[@joaomuckungu2698]

I really love this work....

[@scannon90]

This seems like it’s probably my best bet for getting it right. Thanks.

[@AlabamaWoodworker]

Great explanation, Guy! Instructor quality.

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Huy!

[@peterbonifacio3288]

Very good and easy way to make mortises and tenons with a router table. Compliments!

[@ghostrangerp.8819]

Hi, I loved your video but can you please tell me in detail which router bits you used for this project it would be very helpful....thank you.. Robert Perez

[@diamonddez7026]

Great video. One new subscriber here. I'm very much a beginner. Sorry for what may be a dumb question but what is the set square thing with all the precise measurements on it called and where can I get one?

[@LuisDiaz-kg1fy]

Awesome 💡. Easy and simple.

[@danpryde5503]

Great tutorial, thanks guy. Can't wait to try this now.

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Dan!

[@araujoao]

Great video. Where did you buy this awesome ruler? Thanks

[@sforseland]

Really good instructions! Thx!

[@brianpatterson8499]

Excellent technique - it’s my next challenge...thanks, Guy!

[@GuysShop]

Have fun with it Brian!

[@93556108]

Excellent video, Congratulations !!!

[@sumosprojects]

That's awesome Guy, it's a challenge for me to do that & with some practice I'm going to give it a go, thank you very much for your informative video, Sumo 👍👍👍

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Sumo!

[@jguzik14]

awesome video! very detailed and simple to follow. the best!

[@GuysShop]

HaHa. Thanks! You're making me blush...

[@JamesGarwood]

Thanks for the video! this looks like a great idea for a little workshop to make mortice and tenon joints 😀👍🏻

[@GuysShop]

Glad you found it useful!

[@99andycat]

Lovely precise technique....beautiful to see end result

[@GuysShop]

Thanks so much 😊

[@luissolano756]

That´s great, easy and very fast. Where did you buy that router bit, i looked for it in eBay as mortising router bit, i saw many but no one with that shape. Thanks a lot for your help.

[@chrisbauer2396]

Awesome straight forward video. Thank you

[@andresmedina7670]

this was a good video to watch. thanks!

[@scubatis]

Nice vid... What's the name of that square/ruler you used to mark the mortise? I would love it get one...

[@stevehastie6032]

Were did you buy that ruler at the beginning of your video with the measurement on it would love to get one of those thanks for the video.

[@BDL090754]

An excellent tutorial video on this mortise - tenon method, - Thank you

[@sallyodeh]

You make it sound so easy I can’t wait to try it ! What router brand do you recommend for humble projects ?

[@GuysShop]

Bosch make a very good plunge router that is not too expensive.

[@Kweesh]

You have excellent presentation skills, thanks for the tutorial.

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Parrish!

[@1973vider1973]

Nice explanation, tranquility on your voice helps on the cuts :)

[@jontucker7292]

Want that measuring device you use in the beginning of the video? I've never seen one before, great video by the way

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Jon! That's an Incra T Rule

[@tombutkovich4961]

Excellent video, great results. Tested it today. How did you prevent the bit from grabbing the edge of the tenon piece and pulling it into the fence on your first pass?

[@tjerkheringa937]

Guy, where can i buy that awesome measuring device?

[@biggusbestus551]

I have worked with my hands all my life. I can see you have to, but I think I am going to learn some valuable things here ... Pleasure to see you create.

[@GuysShop]

Thanks so much!

[@MOSTAFA131160]

Helpful video, thank you.

[@HandmadeWithAshley]

Thanks for making this so look easy. I'll be using this technique as soon as I get a router table. :)

[@GuysShop]

Hey Ashley! Glad you liked the method!

[@fishindoc6025]

As usual, enjoyed watching. I usually just use the miter gauge with a sacrificial fence squared to the router table fence. Seems pretty easy. Thanks for your videos. When you gonna do another small project like the jewelry box?

[@GuysShop]

+Geoff Weech Don't know. Someday I guess :)

[@varmaprotech]

From India, I became an instant fan of yours.

[@GuysShop]

Thanks so much!

[@tooljunkie555]

good stuff guy as always super informative and accurate I've been wanting to use my router table for joinery this will give me a little know how how to do it because in the near future I'll be making a whole bunch of mortise and Tenon for a dining table project that my wife wants me to do have a good one bro

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Joe! This is a very easy way to make them without a lot of fuss.

[@tooljunkie555]

GuysWoodshop yea looks easy and accurate for sure

[@jackdurning8637]

Enjoyed your video where did you get that marking ruler you were using?

[@MedicP251]

Where did you get that square you're using to mark the boards?

[@gormacasap]

so useful. Thank you!

[@kuffyswoodwork]

You showed me something I have never tried. I have done plenty of tenoning and end grain finger jointing on spindle moulders, but always with the fence as the depth stop or a pretty serious clamp holding the workpiece from being pulled into the bit. But you just had the backer ply piece and muscle power overcoming the pull of the router bit...just how tightly were you holding on to it because tbh I was expecting it to explode :)

[@GuysShop]

Hey Kuffy. Yes, the router bit can end to pull the piece into the bit a little bit. You just have to have a good rubber soled push block and a little downward pressure to keep it in line.

[@charleskings-road2087]

Beautifully explained, thank you.

[@GuysShop]

Glad you liked it

[@DanaOredson]

Very instructive. I learned something today!

[@GuysShop]

Cool!

[@varunsharma4817]

Very nice description, thanks. Can you please tell how much deep mortises can we cut using this technique?

[@langrock74]

That would be limited by a) the length of the router bit and b) how comfortable you are lowering the piece of wood onto a fast-spinning blade;-) I wouldn’t make this deeper than needed.

[@captainflint1967]

Great video, has helped me a great deal thank you. Question : the red measurement right angle tool you were using looks to be a great piece of kit. What is its name manufacturer etc . I could use an accurate measurement tool like that (as the saying ‘measure twice cut once’) . I live in the UK but I guess I could find one if I knew the deals. Thanks again for the great video, I learnt a lot .

[@GuysShop]

That isthe Tiny T from Incra