Console Table Build Part 7
There are lots of ways to cut tenons. I typically use a tenon jig on the table saw; I think it gives me the best surface on the tenon faces and I find the process satisfying. I know that might sound odd, but to my engineering brain it just makes sense. I cut the shoulders using a sled on the table saw, cut the tenon cheeks with the tenon jig, and then cut the tenons to width on my bandsaw. It’s a lot of steps, but it works for me.
For this project, I was demonstrating this method for the class I was teaching at the time. It is often the second class a student takes in the curriculum, so it needs to be relatively simple. Because of that, we use a sled with a dado set to cut the cheeks and the tenon width. One tool, one basic setup, and intuitive. Perfect for the class.
My issue with the process is the surface of the tenon cheeks. They are crosscut with a dado set; the crosscut action doesn’t leave a great surface, and the outer blades of the dado set leave multiple small grooves.
Both processes have the issue of the cheek shoulder cuts and the tenon-width shoulder cuts not aligning if everything isn’t perfectly square. I think I learned the process I show in the video from John Nyquist. I’m not sure if the other instructors at Cerritos taught it, but I’ve seen too many misaligned shoulder cuts and this process precludes that.
Note that my wife and I are on a road trip when this releases. I was only able to get one video prepared prior to our leaving; this is it. I’ll be back soon…check out my Instagram account to see any photos from our trip (that’s about the only time I post on IG).
