The Paul Sellers’ Mortise & Tenon Method | Paul Sellers

[@grim8118]

Mr. Sellers - how are you not knighted yet? Your love for woodworking, and the great detail in teaching has made woodworking such an important part of my own life. I appreciate everything you do for us.

[@beepIL]

knighted? what being a knight has anything to do with it? Paul is a great woodworker, a master at his craft. But a Knight?

[@mynameisman1254]

@@beepIL It's um, called a- nevermind

[@avihillel4735]

@@mynameisman1254 knights ride horses and swing swords, stop knighting everything Brits! ;)

[@mynameisman1254]

Avi Hillel I’m American 🤦‍♂️

[@avihillel4735]

@@mynameisman1254 Hi American, I'm joking, nice to meet you

[@Paul.Sellers]

The idea in this presentation everyone is to kick start thinking differently and then working differently.

[@McAVITYourWay.]

I think this will change the way I do mortise tenons from here on, could I respectfully ask if I could make the tenon length say 9/16th longer, then cut it off to finish size after the router work, rather than route the last 1/2 inch ?

[@katimaboy]

McAVIT Yourway good idea !

[@answeris4217]

I have been using guides for a while now for perpendicular cuts. I learned it from Charles Neil. He showed how he drilled and parried Mortise before he was able to afford a mortise machine. I have done it that way too. I now own a bench top mortise machine but I will definitely try this method because sometimes the setup time might just be longer than the actual time used to cut a mortise by hand.

[@Paul.Sellers]

Yes, that is fine, but in my work, and in an upcoming project on masterclasses.com I add enough to the tenon length of the first tenon top make my gauge from. I also always cut two tenons at once so the length of tenons at say 1 1/2" becomes three inches between shoulder lines plus a kerf width and `i get two tenons at once.

[@nicholashall3479]

The idea of doing 2 two tenons as a single piece and then cutting it in half just blew my mind... :) Thanks for all the amazing work you and your team do on this channel; you're an amazing teacher!

[@dustincurrie8797]

I'm just starting out. The end of this video is why I can't get enough of Paul Sellers. "And it's all yours. You go ahead."

[@dandavis3874]

Thanks Paul, for all the fantastic videos and sharing of techniques and knowledge. I have reduced my machines to just a bandsaw as hand tool woodworking is so enjoyable.

[@Paul.Sellers]

Thank you for the tip and for your kind comment!

[@cosovvondlovu6944]

this is the best practical demonstration i have ever watched it makes me feel like you dont need wood glue after this whaal well done

[@Zaranathax]

Great tutorial as usual, Paul. I like to make the tenon half an inch longer than finished size. That way you can just cut off the end router support rather than muck about getting down to thickness.

[@morhywaden]

I have only recently discovered these posts by Paul Sellers. Just an absolute pleasure to watch and learn.

[@allenwc]

every damn time I watch one of your instructional videos I learn 100 new things. Blown away, again.

[@jean-claudelionbeat3325]

You're such a legend for sharing these techniques, Paul. It's not what you earn that makes a man, it's what you give. Super generous. Merci.

[@JohnMayer1952]

The right tools for the job and the right attitude all combined with the skill of a master. A joy to watch. Thanks a lot.

[@stephenbamford]

You sir, are a world heritage treasure! Thanks for all you do! And thanks to your son and team of videographers for the outstanding footage!

[@The_man_himself_67]

I've watched this several times and it is solid gold. Thanks Paul.

[@jimmurphy4083]

I have lost count of how many times I have watched this video, and still it is always a pleasure. Thank's again Paul.

[@MegaFunnyman86]

When I started wood working as a kid, my dad told me wood working is using common sense to work things out, this method proves he was right, Great video. And I've been woodworking for 20 years and still learning from videos like this, it's what it's all about.👍

[@box0xB9]

Thank You ! This is such an innovative method for making a beautiful mortise and tenon joint.

[@montelott8570]

Thank you Paul for sharing your method of precise mortise and tenon joinery - well done.

[@redwood_shores]

That’s brilliant how simple and self-ensuring the method is.

[@kevinweaver4265]

Paul, what a gift you have given woodworkers with this technique! THANK YOU.

[@JohnTBlock]

The joinery is amazing, Paul. Thank you for making it less scary for we mere mortals! 😊

[@perryberens618]

Very good work. I am at an age where the noise of industry can be left at the job site. The quiet chisel and plane brings back the joy in woodworking classic style.

[@jdmxxx38]

Exquisite craftmanship. A wonderful lesson in joinery.

[@swhittyoung]

“I’ll do this one while I’m in the zone”. Legend.

[@marksymons5603]

I used to own a boat which had been built in Devon. The steps into the cabin were angled, probably 60 degrees or so. The joiner had made through tenons for each step and they were perfect, immaculate, flawless. If I can manage the same before my time is up I'll be happy. Excellent instruction as always Paul. Thank you.

[@twentyonetwos3967]

It's hypnotic to watch Paul work the wood. Thank you for sharing.

[@Paul.Sellers]

You do not have to have two routers to do this. You can use the one router and reset after the depth lines are marked. In this case you will rough down all of the cheeks and then, when all are roughed down, reset the depth according to the depth line and finish off to depth.

[@paele1962]

Paul Sellers Dear Paul with all the respect, please let us to use two or even better three hand routers and enjoy this project the most! Cheers

[@JakeLarrimore]

Paul- How did you determine the depth of the Router to make the shoulder markings? Did you take the width of the board, subtract the thickness of the desired tenon, and then divide by 2 to get the depth of the router plane chisel?

[@Paul.Sellers]

The chisel width determines the general size of tenon and mortise. In this method we actually ignore the dead width of the chisel and 1-2mm. In other words we set the router cutting edge to about 1/2 to 1mm shy of dead on so that we leave meat (wood) on the walls of the mortise and the face of the tenon. The last skim with the router surface planes the tenon on both cheeks and the pare cuts with the wider (1") chisel surfaces the inside walls of the mortise by using the guide to reference the face of the chisel as it progresses down into and along the walls.

[@JakeLarrimore]

I see, thank you!

[@snort455]

Thanks, Paul. Im starting the workbench project from your book. Now I know I'll get the joints perfect, but I don't have 3 routers. I think I'll use a poor mans routers for the first passes, keep my Stanley set in one place for the entire operation. Another possibility, I could stick a shim to my router base, then peel it off for the final pass.

[@danhall7251]

"and it's all yours, go ahead and practice it, and you will have tenon making down for the rest of your life" this is what i love about these videos. There is a tradition of master craftsmen being closemouthed and secretive, but here one of the best just wishes to pass on the craft to those who care to learn. Thank . you.

[@chrisbirkitt706]

wow Paul your so very very generous to the hand tool woodworkers may I on behalf of all of us say a very very big thank you . you inspire me to get in the workshop and its fantastic for being disabled it get me exercise and mental stimulation . pete

[@GiovanniCarloIglina]

A really intelligent way to make sure the mortise is at the perfect position and has the right dimensions. Thank you Paul!

[@josearrue4072]

Mr. Sellers, thank you very much for this and all the other teaching videos you have in your channel. They are amazing. Although I have power tools, I reaIy enjoy working with hand tools. Take longer but the joy is incredible. I have always love woodworking and now that I´m retired I builded a shop in my farm to enjoy what I love more; Family, life in the farm and woodworking. My best regards to you from Panamá Sir.

[@4578simonhi]

This is great, fantastic method for those us that don't get enough woodworking practise to learn this joint through and through. Many thanks Paul

[@erasmomaldonado9517]

Thank you Paul for your generous heart, sharing your wisdom with the new generations. God bless you.

[@CraneofBoulogne]

Agreed that is the best way I have seen to make a mortise & tenon joint by hand! It would result in better quality hardwood doors.

[@Blacklab99]

Wonderful stuff. Never ever tire of watching Paul..

[@TaylerMade]

as a retired furniture maker who just loves youtube for different new ideas, i can honestly say using the the router to mark the edges is brilliance.

[@gee3883]

Bloody brilliant, reminds me of one of my lecturers who was another master of his craft, I felt like I was back at college learning brickwork for a while. thanks Paul.

[@lincolndickerson1293]

Focused thought on how to make the blades go where we want is what makes this craft so fascinating. Using two router planes so the setting of the finish work makes so much sense. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and being so inspiring.

[@benjamindebellis6664]

Nothing against other contributors, but I have learned so much more from you. Thank you so much for offering these videos to everyone. Thank you again for you time and expertise.

[@therealdonchelios]

It’s very impressive that you can show a new method in 2017 for a very old joinery technique. Your craft is superb, keep up the good work.

[@accordv6er]

I love this idea of retaining a planing guide/reference, feel like it would be really useful for longer joints

[@rolandharrison5651]

Beautifully planed & executed. Elegant in its simplicity! A bow to thank the Master.

[@wdh375xen]

Brilliant - Awesome and Simple but oh so Effective! Makes a novice / wannabe woodworker believe he or she can really do this.

[@kathleenzimmerman8227]

@weh375xen ... AMEN to THAT!!! :-D

[@lbhunter6341]

You can do this! Practice and practice until it's perfect!

[@mpetersen6]

Simple and effective. It works, which is the most important thing. If it offends a "purist". Tough luck.

[@highlightoftheday7058]

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. Relaxing to watch as well as educational.

[@anthonyderosa5181]

Mr. Sellers, you are a genius! You have opened the door for me to a world of working wood "unplugged". I have two of your great books ( "Essential Woodworking Hand Tools" and "Working Wood") and the DVD set "Using and Sharpening Essential Woodworking Hand Tools". I cannot thank you enough.

[@craigbowman1656]

MR. Sellers.....you are the man! Thanks for all you do for use weekend woodworkers.

[@jochanan2137]

Paul, you've improved my woodworking abilities 100%! Thanks for all your instructions and keep up the good work.

[@hippychippie1]

Thank you Paul, that was unquestionably the most valuable and impressive example of ingenuity and skill that I have ever seen . The longest video I have ever watched , and shall watch again. You have given all of us out 'ere something priceless

[@artothevid]

I've tried it, and I love it! I've struggled with mortise and tenons, and this method made them so much better. Still not perfect, but with some practice I think I'll have it. Thanks for sharing!

[@vincejet]

I never got the chance to spend time with my grandpas before they passed away. I wish I could have learned from them the same way I'm learning from you. Thanks gramps!

[@green_building]

Mr Seller is the best online teacher i ever seen.. So patient, gentle and very clever 👍👍 thankyou verymuch Sir 🙏

[@cosmobloco]

Amazing as always, Paul! Thank you for passing on techniques such as this with such dedication to simplicity and quality. Cheers from Brazil.

[@lbhunter6341]

Paul, I have been watching your videos for some time now and have learned much from watching your work patterns. Thank you for what you do! I just completed a desk for my daughter designed to fit her apartment. Completely electricity-free! From sizing the raw lumber to the dovetailed cabinet to the mortices and tenons...all hand done! Thanks, Paul!

[@scottman-cl4jm]

I think you Sir are Amazing****** I was a carpenter for 30yrs useing power tools for everything, Iam now just getting into hand tools because I lost alot of my eyesight from glaucoma. I learn so much from you. Thank you..Paul.

[@franklerouge]

When I grow up... I'll still want to be like you... Making perfection look easy! Thanks a lot from very confined northern Lower Canada

[@dalyjolly5891]

Thank you for sharing this. You have a true teacher's approach. Finding a way to make your students more successful; what a great way to teach!

[@Wolfgang3418]

So great! I'm glad having stumbled upon your channel, cheers!

[@lclement4]

Your tutorials are so great. I think you explain and demonstrate whatever method you are teaching better than anyone else. I have yet to make a mortise and tenon joint and I will definitely use your method. You, sir, are brilliant!

[@billcrowell5096]

Brilliant! I wish I'd learned this in wood shop so many years ago. Amazingly, we were not provided with hand routers like Paul is using. I'd never seen these until recently. Trying to saw the tenons with a back-saw was the best we learned. The keys to this method: 1. proper millwork of the stock 2. NOT adjusting the finish router 3. Keeping chisels very, very sharp

[@bighands69]

+Bill Crowell Saw and chisel skills are more important. The exact same skills can then be applied to using Planes and mortice sets.

[@rogeriomartinsmauricio5001]

You are the best! I am learning a lot with you. Thanks from Brazil.

[@andrewbrown8148]

Brilliant~! Both you and Rob Cosman have completely changed my outlook on hand-tool woodworking. For years, my thoughts were that the hand-tool side was for doing the fine-tuning part of the job, not the "heavy work". I've learned that I was wrong, wrong, wrong. Thank you for the instructional video~!

[@judyfisk9657]

Love your work Paul . I recently used a similar method to do a 25 Inch scarf joint on a sailing mast and it was something I learnt from you a wile back I just applied it to a different application . I have recently finished another Christmas star in another table top this time in teak wood and spotted gum and spruce similar to the one in the photo I sent you some time back You must of liked it as you have placed it in your photo section on your web site . This last table was for a client on a 7 Million dollar yacht the owner was ecstatic and said it was a work of art so I thank you for what you have achieved in being able to come up with simple but effective ways of teaching people all over the globe the fine art of Joinery I'm looking forward to re-joining your paid section once financers allow me to do so .

[@jessjulian9458]

Thanks very much. I will use it for the rest of my woodworking life, as I have many things you have taught. Thanks for sharing your talents.

[@JohnKirkwoodProFoodHomemade]

Great tutorial Paul, thanks mate.

[@biomcanx1]

Thank you Paul for another wonderfully instructive technique and presentation!

[@arthrurjackson1287]

simply beautiful paul .you are awesome.love your videos from the USA wish i lived closer,i would take your classes.

[@thesuperzfamilyvlog6607]

Arthrur Jackson same here.

[@jerryrobinson3656]

Arthrur Jackso

[@ronin4711]

Paul If I could give you a thousand thumbs up, I would. This is probably the best ever method for a tenon and mortise fitting that I've ever seen. Thanks for this video, I'll treasure it in my mind.

[@viscache1]

What a delight to see someone call the correct tool a ‘router’! I’m a lifelong collector and user of routers and chisels dating back to 16th C. My current project is a farm house, 6 out buildings and a 60,000 sq’ dairy barn built in 1904. They’ve been horribly abused and scavenged so I bought a turn of C lumber mill, wood lot acreage and brought all my tools to restore it all asking only tools that existed when the buildings were built. 😁

[@TimothyHall13]

That is a great tip to use a tenon as a guide for the mortise! The idea that practice is needed is not intuitive. Often we take initial failure as inability instead of enjoying the journey to becoming adequate and then eventually consider ourselves adept. Bravo!

[@tomallen8527]

Thank you so much for the great detail you always provide. It is a joy to watch such perfection.

[@sandravukovic2901]

It's so wonderful to see this amount enthusiasm even after so many years. Thank you for the inspiration and advice, Mr. Sellers.

[@raysmith1578]

I had created a tenon and then watched this video, tenon scrapped and redone, I even purchased a small had router as my mortise and tenon is for a hand mirror. Guess what one perfect tenon, your videos are brilliant and this method is the total opposite of what I was taught at school nearly 50 years ago. Hope you are going to do a dovetail version.

[@adamwilks]

Tis a thing of beauty! Sat here programming for a living, with this on in the background... I love it!!

[@davidkatz8270]

Using the router plane to make your knife walls is a wonderful idea, and so is leaving a shoulder to register with.

[@dave38x]

Simply beautiful work. Looking forward to trying this on my first workbench!

[@dannyboy9784]

Great video Paul, love your simple and precise method.

[@blackfender100]

Excellent Paul. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@noelranasinghe3]

This is a superb method for the people like me I can never make tenon or mortise straight ever I will definitely try this method thanks for sharing this video

[@davestorr6764]

And that's why I need another router plane. Brilliant idea with the jig by the way.

[@davidmajersky1969]

Paul I love your videos and you have inspired me to start woodworking, I have some tools on order and I'll be getting more in the future and I'm eager to start some woodworking projects. Thank you for the inspiration and sharing your knowledge.

[@derf9465]

A wonderful idea, simple. I'm trying that this weekend with a bit of ash. Can't wait.

[@johnvaness8445]

Wow! You have made thee seemingly Impossible, Simple!! Wonderful video, thanks very much.

[@forsab]

I found it wonderful just watch you working, amazed by your style.. Thanks *

[@benfurbank]

Brilliant video, love the user of a router plane. Just thinking I'll knock the ends off with a slightly wider chisel almost in one, the grain will be fine over such a short distance and it's so satisfying and really quick

[@LikelyToBeEatenByAGrue]

Just tried this method and I love it. I only did one test joint, but I can definitely see how having the jig would lead to much more consistent joints. Thanks!

[@peterdavey8348]

Using the router plane as a marking gauge is a brilliant idea. I often find that my Stanley hand router is quicker and easier than dragging out and setting up my electric router. Love the concept of "reaching for the sky'

[@vanessakitty8867]

Priceless instruction. TY Mr. Sellers.

[@physicalplant1007]

so refreshing that you took your time and didn't do the fast forward high speed when you did the other side of the mortise. that is so important to show the true rhythm of hand tool work.

[@jeffmazur8037]

Elegant, seemingly bulletproof method - this is really exciting stuff, great job! It's a special case (equal work-piece thicknesses) but one that comes up very often. I almost didn't watch it, but am very glad I did, as it's truly different from anything I've yet seen. Thank you.

[@Gorbyrev]

Outstanding Paul, clear and concise, many thanks.

[@hagnaby01]

thanks Paul . absolutely wonderful way to get it right first time

[@jrgenarn4427]

Great methode Paul, really nice! Can't wait to give it a try. Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@derreth]

I really enjoy your videos. You are a true craftsman and a wonderful teacher

[@jonh1808]

If ever a woodworking tutorial deserved a billion views, this is the one.

[@wickedmessenger1]

I love the technique. As always, I feel like I can conquer the world of woodworking after watching your videos.

[@Tomkarshner]

Your instructional videos are inspiring, hopefully the younger generation will begin taking the trade up and have a lifelong occupation with their hands in lieu of college. We need more craftsman. Thanks Paul for you Lifetime of excellence.

[@243WW]

Mate that's fantastic Paul. Thanks heaps for putting in the time to teach!

[@boblevey]

You really work very efficiently!!! Very nice

[@joer5627]

A true master woodworker and a master teacher!

[@WaltherGrube]

Thank you for sharing this method! It is simple and perfect!

[@famousforever8556]

Beautifully done. SO much more pride in workmanship than I attain with my electrical toys. I wish I wasn't under such a time crunch to get so much done so I could slow it down and feel the shaping of the wood under my own power. I will make my living room furniture this way, no excuses.

[@mutley11]

Wild enthusiastic applause. This is why I need to upgrade from my poor man’s router. Come to think of it though, my poor man’s router does hold its adjustment very very well (I was very forceful getting it in there…) so if you don’t have two routers a poor man’s router can be useful for the finishing depth, and a more adjustable router to the roughing work.