What is a mortise jig?
You can use mortise jig to add accuracy to your projects without damaging your furniture joinery. Generally, a mortise and tenon will be the preferred choice when making furniture, because this joint will resist any twist and tension and works well for shear and compression.
Additionally, the registration of your joints will be ideal with this particular jig.
Due to fact that mortise is actually an excavation; it could be difficult to get this done without using the appropriate tools. To get a perfect match, you need the tenon to fit exactly with the mortise. Many people will use drill press along with hollow rectangular chisels or hand chisels, while others might switch the router into a horizontal position.
But, for the most part to get accurate and repeatable mortises, it is best to use this type of mortise machine. A mortise jig will provide outstanding results all the time and also give you joints that can last for a lifetime.
When it comes to a tenon jig, this will help you to make accurate mortise and tenon joints quicker in comparison with any other system. This will also help to get exact positioning for both pieces, plus make mortises in virtually any width, depth or length. On top of that, these are repeatable if you want several cuts.
The good thing about this method is that it is easy to use, plus using mortise jig comes with benefits such as:
- Quick installation
- Cuttings which are more effective
- Being able to work on projects set in any direction
- You can lock the router in order to remove just the mortise required.
- It is possible to repeat it for multiple pieces, like numerous cabinet cavities on both sides of a table.
- It can make your furniture stronger and more uniform
Additionally, when you are using a mortise jig this will increase your level of expertise. It is possible to transfer the expertise needed for doing fixtures and cutting to the jig. As soon as you start to use this equipment, you’ll wonder how you were able to manage without it.
Suggestion to create your own:
Basically, you would need four pieces of maple, cherry or oak, plus shop-made edge guides and slide stops to make your own jig. The slide stops are needed to outline the longer sizing of a mortise, while the two edge guides is necessary to deal with the thickness of the mortise. A plunge router will be secured in position to create accurate mortises.
Guidelines for using mortise jig
Outline the dimensions for the mortise from the tenon. Ensure that the mortise is located on the center line of the mortise jig. First, clamp the piece of wood from below into the jig and afterward secure the toggle clamps. If you are making several sets, you can arrange your stop index to the right.
Always adjust the slide stops for the mortise in order for the router bit to touch the south and north line. In addition, adjust the stop collars in the edge guides and this will allow the router bit to accurately hit both corners of the mortise. At this point, you should have a well-defined mortise.
Finally, release the bottom support and then open toggle clamps. Next, remove the board and insert another one. Ensure that this fits neatly to the stop index. Next, elevate the bottom support and lock the toggle clamps. After this, nothing else will change, so it is possible for you to route to the desired depth to get several identical mortises.
