cheat tenons :)

[mo khan]

I regularly make tenons using a large tenoning bit on my router which gives me 3/4" tenon length. It's a CMT grand rabbet bit and making tenons with it takes me about 30 secs- its just a matter of running the bit around the stock using the guide bearing. Has anyone else made tenons like this? I've never had any issues with strength- i think a 3/4" tenon is strong enough for most applications, however a couple of pins through it increases the strength quite a bit. How do you guys make tenons? Router table? Table saw and tenoning jig? table saw and dado stack? band saw? Is there anyone here making tenons with a hand saw?

[John Coyne]

can you post a link-to or pic-of your router bit? sounds intriguing! but 3/4" depth sounds pretty shallow (especially in a chair)

edit: just noticed the pic you had in the post - thanks!

[mo khan]

John, yeah 3/4" is pretty shallow but I still haven't had any strength issues with the projects I've made- they've all been tables and a baby change table and from my experience, a 3/4" tenon sotting snugly in mortise is far stronger than a dowelled or kregged joint.

[Ken Darga]

I've found 3/4'' adequate, for most applications.

1/2'' adequate for 1/2'' stock.

  Thru-tenons are a nice touch, for some projects.

  YES---I've made tenons using

• hand held router---better and faster than a hand saw
• router table ---best for most applications---cabinet,  furniture making and fine wood working
• table saw---single blade and dado blades, prior to having a router table
• miter slide saw---making rough tenons in 2x stock
• hand saw, chisel and mallet and air operated palm nailer hammer/chisel---rough tenons
• band saw for some rough joints in larger timber---such as in 6x6 deck posts---not suitable for fine woodworking

  CMT's tenon cutting router bit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90AfqEjTapA