How to cut a MORTICE AND TENON JOINT by HAND

Mortice and tenons, another staple joint of a furniture makers arsenal. But there are a few things you should be aware of when cutting this joint in order to achieve maximum strength.
In this video I cover the marking out stages, the shame of the tenon, the function of a haunch, and how to fine tune the fit to achieve a strong, clean joint at the end.
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My name is Matt Estlea and I’m a Woodworker from Basingstoke, England. My aim is to make your woodworking less s***.
I come from 5 years of TRAINING at Rycotewood Furniture Centre in Oxford, 5 years of experience WORKING at Axminster Tools and Machinery in Basingstoke, and 3 years TEACHING both day classes and evening classes at Rycotewood Furniture Centre. All while trying to get this KZbin thing off the ground.
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[@MattEstlea]

Like the workbench? You can watch me make it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fImuiqqDZctojbc&t

[@badrul333]

Hey.. You are talking too much.. Simplyfy the talking.. Huhh

[@MattEstlea]

You’re talking too much. Be quiet mate

[@rijncruz]

someone doesn't enjoy long and interesting tutorials, go watch some tiktoks then. lmao.

[@danielhuxley4357]

You all prolly dont care but does someone know of a method to get back into an instagram account?? I was dumb lost the password. I would appreciate any help you can give me

[@pabloalfred6617]

@Daniel Huxley Instablaster =)

[@leunglicken2680]

The first half of the kzbin.infoUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.

[@ericromano4028]

Matt, 40 years in the future. "Grandpa, what are these tools in your garage?" "Ah, my grandson, believe it or not, it was woodworking that started this empire I've built out of selling pens. Yes, if not for these tools, you wouldn't see my pens in every desk, drawer, school supply closet, and space colony that you do today."

[@Peninsulakid]

I have to say that is the most enjoyable and informative video that I have watched on KZbin in a long while, and boy do I watch some as TV these days is rubbish. That is said from a 51 year old carpenter/joiner watching a British youngster teach old school joinery. Who needs power tools when you can work like this, and get so much pleasure. Matt you have a great presence in front of camera, with a very easy manner that is a pleasure to watch. Big thumbs up from me! I've just hit subscribe and going to search your archive of videos. Best Regards Richard

[@ryanmcewen415]

One minute into the video and I see all these tools and I'm here like "I've always just used chisels, a cross cut saw, a drill, sand paper and an eyeball!"

[@markharris5771]

For someone like myself, a struggling newbie, this video is invaluable. Thank you.

[@dumpster_fiyah]

Great video. I don't know why you decided to throw in a haunch on an intro video, but it was still great, and you explained this better an more entertainingly than almost any other person on YT.

[@84erMaxe]

It'll take a while... but thanks to your explanations, at least the direction of my woodworking is "less shit". I'm glad I don't have to do it for a living, but for fun and evolving my skills (woodworking, patience, craft). So happy that I found your channel. Thank you!

[@dmartin1650]

Very good explanation of the haunched tenon. One suggestion perhaps... use a narrower chisel for levering out the waste. It helps avoid having to lever against and/or damaging the shoulder lines.

[@chm1701]

I’m really finding these videos great. I’ve gone back to college to learn Joinery and this is one of the joints I’m learning. A great reference video. Nice one, Matt!

[@vosifle]

Thank you for these tutorials! Best tutorials on KZbin!

[@paulone-off7286]

When I searched for cutting mortice and tenon by hand, for some reason I thought it was going to be quite a straight forward process. Seems it's more involved than I thought. I am going to have to be patient with this, this is a new thing for me, been a long time since school. Great video and explanation. I might have to watch a few times.

[@sroberts4797]

I used to think there was nothing more enjoyable than watching a good opera, then I started watching your videos

[@davidharvey5672]

Hi Matt I've just found your videos. I used to be a machinist / toolmaker in another lifetime so tolerances of fractions of a thousandth of an inch aren't uncommon. It has always given me great respect for woodworking craftsmen and frustration in myself, that I have never been able to work wood accurately. I am retired now and hoping to try some of your techniques. The biggest issue is eye deterioration which makes this craft ( and my own) more challenging, lots of light helps which is easy to provide. I'm going to make a couple of those marking guages they are so neat. Many thanks

[@mikehopkins4040]

I know what you mean I used to be a Universal Miller back in the day. Taking your test piece to the tester and told it's a tho out when you were plus or minus a half. Happy days.

[@GNU_Linux_for_good]

31:20 Don't worry Matt - *skillage* is a valid word!

[@aaronyoung8301]

As a person who struggles with keeping track of pens, pencils and other marking/ writing tools, ordering 50 of the same pen is a great way to cut back on using the phrase, 'where the ****'s my tool?" and running out of pens because they all died or dried out. Also having a Pen cup (doesn't have to be for just marking tools) near by so everything has a consistent home, which helps a lot.

[@argentorangeok6224]

The way you sawed the tenon... eyes opened. Brilliant video. Thank you. Sub from US.

[@chriskennard5920]

Hi Matt, only just found your stuff on here, but always interesting to watch a left handed scriber who is a right handed dominant tool worker... and from Basingstoke. That was me some 38 years ago when I taught DT at Cranbourne school - how bizarre!

[@mmd1957]

Good job, clear, concise and informative. Well done and thanks.

[@sidknowles4752]

Fantastic series of tutorials looking forward to the next. Thank you

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Matt, it seems you are doing all the videos I need so I am watching you a lot. I like your style. Good work and great at giving us education.

[@petelaferte375]

English is a language too.

[@thebrainless1]

@@petelaferte375 What?

[@xbox_tommyr237]

@@thebrainless1 ik i’m 2 years late but he basically said that his grammar was bad

[@darrylb4048]

Nice, I completed my Industrial Woodworking Training many years ago and this brings me back to it. Well done, and for the one or two little mishaps, not too worry because first of all we all make mistakes and secondly its an art of striving for perfection. Ciao from Canada.

[@Thom4123]

Matt another incredible video I’m always picking up tips and learning something completely new.

[@norbornadiene]

Good shout on sighting down the mortise while chopping! I've had problems with cutting slightly out of square in the past, will definitely give your method a go.

[@DrawingTechnical]

You have interesting tool designs, I like the mortise gauges.

[@rickgoebel6724]

This is the joint making tutorial i have been waiting for. Thanks Matt

[@EPICSOUNDTRAX]

You can find many hand tools at Leevalley store online they have everything you need.

[@SimopsAus]

Absolutely fantastic series of tutorials......look forward to others.......appreciate the time you are putting into this Cheers

[@millerfouts9145]

I live in a cookie cutter house without a tool in sight and i absolutely love these videos. Keep up the good work man, huge fan

[@lilmonkey9919]

I'll be learning to make this in College next Monday as I'm doing a Level 1 Diploma Course and I'm not going to lie I'm dreading it!!

[@jamiemenzies128]

I found this very helpful to improve my efficiency thanks love u lots

[@tomleurquin9320]

Thanks for your tip about where to stand to get the chisel plumb when cutting the mortise. It significantly improved my M&T joints.

[@timstratton9]

Cutting my 7th mortise ever and this video has me bang on. Ok it sucks but it sucks so much less than the other 6! Lol. Brilliant and thank you!

[@airwolf61970]

I learned air from this video. I like your style, you explain why you do it a certain way and reveal your mistakes and explain more about the process. It's good to know. I'm buying all hand tools first. Well done sir! ☺

[@genardusfaberus6514]

Hi Matt, I love your method (snapping fingers) to clean up your workbench. Great joint.

[@alikartal8426]

Wow, you are awesome in explaining and teaching

[@kerryfoster1]

Great work Matthew! I made sash windows by hand when I was learning. Glad I could use the morticing machine when I got to the doors !!!

[@brianrowland9993]

Another excellent video that covers the areas of where we most people go wrong. Many useful tips to avoid easy to make mistakes (!) As always precision marking out, sharp tools and careful saw technique essential. You are indeed a very knowledgeable young man!

[@toonybrain]

Good tips interjected. Thank you.

[@MultiWarrior63]

Thanks Matt, great job mate, much appreciated

[@brunmedia]

I just spent the evening watching this and a few other of your videos together with my daughter (18y) who was surprisingly fascinated by your work. She has shown no previous interest in my - or any other persons - woodworking, but there was something about you precision and eye for detail that caught her interest. I enjoyed it as well even if it was the second time I saw the videos. One has to sieze every chance there is to bond with the kids. :-) Just thought I'd share that with you. Looking forward to part 3 of the baseguitar build now.

[@MattEstlea]

Thank you so much Anders, that's another achievement for me to tick off the list! A guy I work with watches my videos with his dogs!

[@suburbanhobbyist2752]

Damn...looking all swole boy!! Thanks for another great tutorial!

[@thomashenrydavies]

Hi Matt. Great videos! I have a suggestion/request. I'd love too see a guide on cutting scribed mortise and tenon joints - ie the type you'd find on a sash window, when the stock has a moulded profile, rather than being square.

[@danpryde5503]

Another good one. Thanks Matt!

[@ahmedalajlan8989]

I love the approach in your vid’s , your illustrations are invaluable , many many thanks to you

[@james-jq8sk]

Very good and not too many ads...

[@stuarthartley6824]

Great lesson Matt lots to learn from.

[@jeromyashcraft4571]

Great video. Thank you. Keep up the great content.

[@andreicharpentierquesada4530]

i really enjoy your videos by hand nice job

[@petersnelgar1524]

Waiting for this thanks great job love your work

[@fariborzhessabi5273]

Bravo Bravo this video is very good for me thank you so much.

[@shelaghthomas6055]

Really great video Matt.. great to see how it used to be done.

[@AFGautonompunk]

thanks for sharing this!

[@alexschmidt3692]

that was a 30 minute video, I only have half the tools you used, and yet I watched the whole thing. Must speak to the quality of your videos!

[@j.m.castilla7150]

OK, gracias por sus videos, thanks for your videos

[@dufftime]

thank you. i learned a ton from watching this. i'm new to hand-cutting M&T joints and always cut my tenons first, which resulted in a loose fit because my chisel would bruise the mortise walls.

[@macsorfi5815]

Super clear.... great explanation

[@marciovis]

You are very good! Thankyou for share!!!

[@sweetbodhisoul891]

you are very good! love the tutorials, thank you so much.

[@leeharvey34]

Cool, thanks for the help!

[@dennisbernhardt2971]

Thanks for the video! I was planing to built an electric guitar with hand tools only and I was unsure on how to get the holes for the pick ups without using a hand router, but I think the good ol chisel will do.

[@rhyleesmumX]

Dear PenSalesman 😂😂😂 hello from New Zealand!🙋‍♀️ great Vid. Cheers

[@johnburens3395]

Nice Job!

[@seanjoseph8637]

Such skillage!

[@peterowens290]

Good effort to show how to. I learned this joint at age 12 at school & have never made one since. Why not just use a pair of generously sized dowels - easier all round & very strong.

[@larcomj]

Brilliant video! first time on your channel and you've convinced me to subscribe. Look forward to many more vids.

[@bernardopatino6263]

Super cool I like that.

[@kderby2204]

Nice work and thank you.

[@ericmoody3944]

How old is this kid that's making us all look bad? Great videos and solid advice.....

[@davelibaw2047]

Left hand writing with right hand sawing. Good job!

[@GNU_Linux_for_good]

30:07 *Matt* - you *cheeky rascal* . You did it again..! That fits bloody perfect. (If you taper the outside and the inside of both arms, you can go hunting with your new boomerang.)

[@tomdavies6368]

Thanks for the video, nice to see a slightly different technique from the one demonstrated by Paul Sellers.

[@nofunatall4094]

Yeah I like Paul's latest mortise and tenon video. Using the tenon as a jig to clamp to the side while cutting the mortise. I think I could actually do it without completely messing it up.

[@grkuntzmd]

It may not be orthodox, but I found that chiseling the mortise with a chisel that is about 1mm narrower than the final mortise should be, and then using a wide bench chisel to pare down the sides to the knife line results in a really nice rectangular mortise with absolutely straight sides. It takes a little longer to finish, but I get very nice results.

[@daddy_ishyooz]

Joinery instructor: this is the cleanest dovetail joint I have ever seen from a beginner! You must be experienced..? Me: lol, heck no. I just watch a lot of Matt Estlea videos...

[@danielu1763]

So more to this than grabbing an edge and banging on the handle? Could have used this before I started cutting the tenons for my workbench. Great tutorial. Alright already, I subscribe.

[@jlinkels]

Very good video, great instruction. Why did you saw the haunch part and not chisel it out?

[@KGTiberius]

Outstanding education 🤙

[@johnbrianwebb3399]

loves the sound of his own voice ,

[@donlim772]

Perfect!

[@justtisha]

I love all the tips you give!!! They are fantastic and what it truly takes to become a professional at this

[@ibrhemahmed170]

Thank you very much

[@kuzmanmarinov2832]

Hi Matt! Very interesting and useful! Do you plan to release videos about making wood joints with power tools?

[@senorserrano2597]

I like your tools.

[@mulletthehunter7163]

Ahhh to have sharp tools and a work bench... one day!

[@timflanigan8586]

Great video once again. *on a side note.... being an old artilleryman, I often have the captions turned on.... you and your mates should watch this with them on and drink every time it gets a word wrong. You’ll be pissed before it gets halfway through! Just the word “haunch” is done wrong in so many ways....hilarious!

[@MattEstlea]

Haha I used to transcribe my videos to avoid that. But sod it, if it’s funny then why bother!

[@johnfitzgerald8879]

Bravo!!!

[@Cut3Sku11]

thank you

[@simatbirch]

And....... breeeeaaath. Great vid by the way.

[@Jovienne]

Hi 👋🏽 So you have probably answered this question so many times before, sorry I’m new to your channel and starting out in woodworking. What Chisels do you use?

[@martenveldthuis]

What do you mean you're not a pen salesman? You literally just explained that you're selling pens. ;)

[@joedillon6000]

you can thank me later for the Budha pen tip. morticing by hand is tricky, i use a similar method to Paul Sellers, yah should give it a go.

[@kissgergo5202]

17:02 nice beat

[@chrismoody1342]

I cheat like the “New Yankee Workshop”. I have a dedicated power mortiser and tenon jig for my table saw. I’d be done in a quarter of the time. But I still appreciate the old school methods as well. 😎🇺🇸

[@wcylski3566]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but at around 6:33 you state the chamfers are pointing to the waste, which is what you want. However you do not have yours set up that way. It is set up backwards, and the chamfers are going to be on the tenon side. Love your videos.

[@henrysiegertsz8204]

Matt, lovely instructional video, I wish I could share in your patience to do these things by hand, but, I'm about to buy a lovely cabinet saw, (and Dado Set), yes there's one such available! I'd rather not say which, in case the EU Safety Police shut the seller down! My next project will be a coffee table I think, looking forward to getting home in the summer!

[@MattEstlea]

Blimey you've done well to get hold of one of those! But to be honest, I don't blame you! For me, I prefer to cut the mortise with a morticer and the tenon on a bandsaw. Then clean them up by hand. Glad to hear you found it useful and best of luck with the coffee table!

[@keithmurphyworks]

Rock Solid , you should put that on a t-shirt

[@loicwirth_]

Hi! Thanks for the video! Can you tell me what wood is that?

[@mdphybes]

Nice job Matt, seems a little rushed...anxious for the pen shipment? Wouldn't think about calling you out on a mistake (we all make 'em) and if it was live nobody would've noticed, but it confused me for a sec and I went back to it. Check 6:22 for orientation of cutters on the gauge. In the end it doesn't really matter because of the insets you planned (meaning it really is waste after you cut everything off) but you probably narrowed the tenon by a kerf or two. Not complaining, just sayin'. Thanks again for choosing to be an international teacher (your a better man than I) and taking heat from students eager to improve their meager skills.

[@tonyb337]

Awsome

[@rogerbingham316]

Hi Matt, did you make some doors for Hazel Hill Wood in 2008?

[@mjlly1]

Hi Matt, been following your guitar build with interest as I made a bass some time ago, only 5 strings and no where near as nice as yours. However my question to you is unrelated. I was wondering if you could cover drilling compound angles in seat blank for tenons and drill press set up. I understand the principles but each time I drill sample holes are slightly out of whack...HELP! I have spent 3 weekends trying to work it out. Save me! Leon