Quick & Easy Mortises
Yesterday, a member of our Guild Facebook group described some difficulty they were having while making mortises with a hand-held router. This is something I do quite frequently and the person jested that I make it look too easy. Like anything, making mortises gets easier with practice but I believe anyone can find success with this particular process if they just follow some simple guidelines. So I decided to whip up a quick video that breaks it all down. And because I can’t stand when people/companies create acronyms and then force words into them, I’m proud to bring you LTBD (pronounced ltbd).
Layout
Without proper layout, you won’t know where the mortise is supposed to go and you won’t be able to set up your router properly. So I always fully layout one of each size mortise I need in my projects. If there’s more than one of a particular mortise, I only lay out start and stop lines since my edge guide holds the router a specific distance in from the edge.
Tools
I recommend a decent plunge router, an edge guide, and a nice sharp up-spiral bit. Here’s the bit I used in this demo: http://amzn.to/2rlQTMp
Unfortunately, not every router manufacturer makes an edge guide, but common brands like Bosch, DeWalt, Festool, and Porter Cable have them available. There are also after-market edge-guides available like this one from Milescraft: http://amzn.to/2sy8Yeq
Balance
The narrower the workpiece, the more difficult it will be to balance the router. So it’s a good idea to double up or even triple up on your workpieces to provide extra base support. I often offset the support piece so it not only prevents the router from tipping side to side, but also provides additional support front to back (especially hand for mortises that are near the end of a workpiece).
Direction
Although mortise routing involves surrounding the bit with wood, you should still pay attention to your router direction. I recommend pushing the router away from you moving left to right. This keeps the router moving against the rotation of the bit and should yield a better cut, as the router tends to pull into the work keeping the fence tight against the workpiece.
If you follow LTBD, there will be very few workpieces you can’t safely and accurately route a mortise into. Get some practice with this technique and before you know it, you’ll be mortising everything!
For more information, free plans, and helpful links: http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/quick-easy-mortises/
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Perfect. That was just what i was searching for. For me it looks more logical to drill the endpoint first and then the start, so you can continue right away.
Hi, can ve make mortise and tenons easily with a fixed based 6 mm Makita 3709 router?
Nice bro
Why not just buy a mortising tool?
I’m sure you can find awesome woodworking plans on Woodbex
What is meant by “loose” tenon and mortise ?
Great tips for mortising without needing to make a jig. I like the suggestion to rout full depth on each end so you can feel the edges.
👍👍👍😎
How many Price it
Gotit. Lieutenant Bondage and Degredation! Perfect! I’ll never forget that now.
Thank you! 👍
Please explain different between router and trimmer?
when he said latuhbuhduh
i felt that
wonderful sharing,,
stay bless ,
love from pk Hunza
You are the best.
🤚🇮🇳🇮
Can this also be done on router table?
Bit number
Good idea 👍
Did you just show us the mortise without the tendon. You just showed us how to make a ham and egg sandwich with just the ham.
Best explanation of a climb cut
Which is the best bit for mortise..
Cool. So what about the tenons?
Just finished my first 16 mortises EVER.
Followed the procedure exactly.
Marc, you would be proud at how they came out!
Thanks for the millionth time.
This is awesome! Thank you!
Hi. What’s the name of that adjustable ruller in the first of video?
High Skill
I gonna trying out 😦thanks for the video 🫡
Cut some motrices using a forstner bit and chisels yesterday avo. Now I’m going to get out my router and do the rest. Thank you 🙏
What the name of the bits Sir and the size
Nice
You just need a router…. guess i’m not making mortis and tenon joints.
How deep I mortise with router
Thanks for your presentation
Good boy/
Thanks for this excellent video to learn how to make mortises. I am to buy a router, can you please tell what is the model you are using with the guide?
Now I learned. But hang on sec? I don’t have that giant machine in my home cupboard!
Love you work and teaching us new bee’s. Do you recall exactly the bit you used in this video
Hi
Hi Mark what are your thoughts about the Leigh mortise and tenon jig ? Have you used it ? If yes can you share with your experience? Thank you
dobry sposób ,pozdrawiam
Women adore this man 😉
What is that drill bit?
Brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing
"You want a decent router" Ah I see how it’s quick and easy… leaves video.
Is a 5mm pencil the same as a carpenters pencil? ;D
Would’ve been faster using drill bits and a chisel.
“D-BLT”
“You people” ?!?!
Wonderful 👏 ✋ 👍 👏