The basics for Perfect Tenons
The first large, stationary tool that I purchased when I began woodworking was a table saw. After doing a little research, it seemed like a sensible choice at the time. But I also know plenty of folks who started with a band saw as their first piece of equipment. And some even begin with a router mounted in a simple table.
No matter which of these is your preferred tool, all three are capable of making one of the staples of solid craftsmanship — the tenon. The tenon is half of the equation for solid mortise and tenon joinery. Here, I’ll take a look at what you need to know to get the best results making tenons, whether you use the table saw, band saw, or the router table.
Of course, if you’re so inclined (or only need to cut a couple of tenons) you might turn to a hand saw to get the job done. The box at the bottom of page 61 provides
