How to make a Mortise and Tenon Joint - The Three Joints - | Paul Sellers
Watch Paul Sellers as he teaches you how to make a mortise and tenon joint, one of the three most common woodworking joints.
The mortise and tenon is a strong joint that can withstand all kinds of stresses and strains to support and uphold structures. It is used in furniture-making to make chairs, tables, beds, and many more projects.
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Great detail and I love how you Center a lot of your lessons around your vice. This will improve my work greatly!! Thanks Paul.
thanks, dude for your mortise and tenon joinery tutorial video, I wait for another tutorial video from you.
Greatly appreciate your tutorial--skilled, experienced, patient, descriptive, easy to follow! One minor suggestion: while you are speaking about the tools and methods, please now and then describe the qualities/characteristics of the woods you are using: I am always wondering which woods are best for a project. Thanks!
Dear paul , I’ve watched this video countless times and have started successfully building the cabinets for my camper van, this video and yourself gave me confidence to try and i am so glad i did ! ...a new love for creating joinery ....mine didn’t look like yours ....but i was so happy with it ! I wanted to show everyone (luckily i resisted said urge ) . But a huge thank you to you . Kind regards Nick
Subscribed cos you have never have enough knowledge.
This video takes 30 minutes to literally see how one joint is made. No cuts, no speeding trough. This is real woodworking. Some of us beginners get frustrated when we see how some dude with a jointer, planer, power drills, kreg jigs, all kinds of saws etc builds a project in ten minutes and here I am trying to build some stools with my circular saw and a speedsquare getting all frustrated.
Yep, you’re spot on. It was instructive and something to aspire to. I could sense the satisfaction in the end success.
@Ricardo Landgrave If you focus on hand woodworking with Chisels, saws and hand plane you will build skills that the guys who only use machines will not have. If the world economy collapsed you would do work with the most basic tools they on the other hand will be dependent on the machines. When you finish with a hand plane there are no machines that can get even close to that level of finish.
@@bighands69 I need to get back to woodworking but no longer have the space and my corporate call center job takes most of my time and sanity :/
@@ricardolandgrave2532 Look at some channels that have people who woodworked in their apartments. You could also look at doing outdoor woodwork. Do lots of small projects like dovetail box and that will build your skills. By the time you have done 100 small dovetail boxes you will feel like an expert.
spot on Ricardo.. honestly I see some of these workshops & a power tool for each procedure & I think, "I can't afford to do any of this".. This video has me motivated to step back & take another look at good old fashioned hand tools.. Is it me, or do the old techniques seem to produce an end result that far outlasts modern 'woodworking'?
I can’t be just me who finds Paul’s presentation style so relaxing
... besides the undisputed high craftmanship: ... Note the one-take-video ... you find both very rarely these days ... Thank you.
Absolutely stress-free example of making a difficult joint
I've done rough framing for 10 or so years but I'm just starting "fine" woodworking. I love watching your videos because you are calm, to the point and with no fluff. You also give tips and explain WHY certain things are being done which really helps understanding the bigger picture. Thanks for the great videos, you're a living legend.
This legitimately feels like watching a magician. The skill along with the accent is astounding.
Thanks no obnoxious music, perfectly explains necessary details , all of your videos are great
For anyone wondering, he's using a vintage Stanley No 71 Router Plane :)
those no. 7s are wonderful machines, love to get one to replace my homemade one
@@atlasshrugged9093 Purchase of a lifetime, solid ivestment!
Johannes no doubt there though I did just pick up a Stanley Liberty bell No.129
Thanks for this. Was looking using all the wrong search terms. lol
@@charlesthomas9294 Understandable, hehe! Google keeps making me reconfirm that I'm not a robot when I start getting uncommonly specific.
Paul, you Sir are a genius. Nobody ever taught me woodworking. Common sense, Internet research, going through old books and that sort of things taught me to do a lot. French polishing, building your own wood plane, tools sharpening, and even making them from scrapyard steel. And here are you, teaching me more and more in a manner so clear I could not dream of. You are a seasoned woodworker, trained classically for sure, and yet such a great guy. I know a lot of guys that live less than you work with wood and they are often such snobs, so confident. I guess the less you know the more of an expert you are in your own mind. Glad to have you here, Mr. Sellers.
I am very impressed with your exactness of that m & t joint. You make it all look so easy.
THAT WAS AMAZING! Thank you so much for your videos and the care you take in making them! Thanks to you this will never be a lost art!
That must be the most useful half-hour I have ever spent on KZhead
I feel the same way, that was great!
always like to keep my audience Riveted.
I figured I’d just watch the first couple minutes. Now here we are 29 minutes later
@@Carl-LaFong1618 Nice one Sheriff!
When sawing the tenon - he says drop your hand....why is this preferred.. what does it do..? Thanks
Thanks Paul - you make it look easy. Loved the tip on nicking the wood with the chisel before you saw!!
I know this is an older video but everything is still current, watching a master craftsman weild a chisel is worthy of the time taken to watch, just a simple act of reversing the chisel and using the bevel now makes sense thank you Craig
I appreciate the detailed explanation that Paul gives in this video, and especially the "tips" he gives on how to score the lines for a better result.
This was the best video on Mortise and Tenon that I have ever watched. I learned and understood what was going on throughout.
Love your videos Paul, I’m about to attempt several mortise & tenons today , my first for over 40 years. I’ve been borrowing your cutting & chisel techniques for a few weeks now. My saw & chisels are sharp & set! Thank you for sharing your experiences, they are inspiring & motivational.
As usual, beautiful work. Excellent way to ending a monday.... cheers!
I appreciate the care you take with each move. Like the 'slow food' movement, your 'slow wood' practice is refreshing to watch and (attempt) to emulate. I'm a recent retiree starting this craft. Thanks for your work.
Simply an incredible demonstration. Thank you, Mr. Sellers!
This was like an action movie. I was on the edge of my seat as he was creating that gaping hole in the wood. I was going to cry if he bruised a wall and I did not even know what that meant before this video. lol
This was amazing, thank you for sharing this Mr. Sellers. In a world of automation and CNC machines, this stuff is an art that remains unappreciated by many.
Thank you.
M&T joints have always been a challenge for me, as a starting woodworker. I'm so glad I found this video. Subscribed!
It was both a pleasure, and a privilege, to watch this video. Thank you to all involved in it's production, with special thanks to you, Mr Sellers.
finally! one of real hand made in youtube
everything you tell in all your videos i just go in my head: man that makes a lot of sense, thanks a lot for sharing your knowlege Tom
👌
Thanks so much for taking time to make all the videos you do. You have helped me improve the quality of my projects. You explain and demonstrate techniques in a very attainable way. Thanks again!
Thank you for being so patient and deliberate in teaching. I enjoyed it and learned a lot. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing.... You are a great craftsman!
Hi Paul, Once again a GREAT tutorial! Ive been on a Paul Sellers marathon .lately. Just for the record Ive been a carpenter/woodworker for over 35 years & I still learn so much from you. Mostly technique. You are a TRUE master!! Thank you SO much for all your work.
Fatabelly He has a video comparing the two chisels. The bevelled chisel cuts quicker.
I've been watching all your videos that I can, your wisdom and knowledge guided me into woodworking and I have to thank you for that. I found woodworking groups with really nice people and it's been a joyfull journey to experiment with wood. It feels amazing to work and create with my hands. Thank you so much ❤️
What an immense pleasure to see a true artist at work. My joints need improving and now I've seen how to do it correctly. Thank you.
Thanks! Another great video. I would love to see a follow up on your methods of finishing the joint with wedges or pins.
Guys tr
Finally, another long one! Been waiting a while for a good half-hour with Paul Sellers :) ...By the way, when is the new series with the tool chest going to begin?
No question - the absolute best video tutorial on mortise and tenon I've seen. Any question I may have thought of was already covered by Mr Sellers. Thank you for spending the time to do this.
Thank you, Paul, this video made me have a lot more respect for good carpenters!
I am an engineering student, figuring painter, and class 3 solder reworker in electronics, who has began working on my first bench and air extraction system. Though this is now several years old; I wanted to tell you that this is still helping people and that I appreciate the work you put into this series. Thank you! Also, using the chisel as a planing tool? Blew my mind. I have been eyeballing them (figuring I can get buy with my drill, a flathead, and my steady hands), but now I know I need them so I can make planing jigs in addition to these Mortise and Tenon Joints.
I absolutely enjoyed every second of this video. I have confidence that I can do it. Thank you so very much. The video was very well done and the instructor was exptreamly detail oriented, very clear and understandable on top of being pleasant. A lot to learn for me. Thank you!
Jesus was a Carpenter probably because he’s British lol They have a way of explaining stuff in a very thorough detailed way that is the envy of the world lol. Of course you and I both know that being good at carpentry is a gift from God. Cheers mate and happy trails
What an incredible find this channel has been. Thank you for your work Paul.
Mr Sellers I wanted to let you know I really enjoy watching your videos. They are really informative and educative. Thanks so much.
That manual router is brilliant! Growing up in the age of electronics I've never seen such a thing. Thanks for introducing it to me!
I am 51 and this is the first time i ever saw a manual router
@@laigocustoms4965 You can make your own with a bit of wood and a chisel and it works great.
Obrigado Paul Sellers, seus videos são muito bons!
As always Mr. Sellers, you have shown YOU ARE THE MAN!!
Absolute pleasure to watch someone so skilled with hand tools. I’ve learnt so much just watching this one video
Hey Paul. I'm actually going to learn how to do this Joint tomorrow in College as I'm doing a JOINERY/CARPENTRY course. I'm looking forward to it 😊.
That half hour felt like five minutes. Thank you, Paul (and crew), for taking the time to teach others. When can we expect the book release?
Dicer328 Soon, it's coming.
Paul Sellers what type of mortise chisels are those?
totally agree
They gonna publish a book???? 😲😲 Yessss gonna buy 1.. 😖😖😖😍😍😍
You are a true master of the woodworking tutorial, thank you. I'm looking forward to having a go at a fundamental joint I've always been scared to try!
Watching a master like Paul at work in any field is always time well spent.
So helpful, thank you! Infinitely better and more satisfying to watch than all the power toolers put together.
The tolerances are so tight on his workmanship that I'm convinced that Paul Sellers could build a functioning spaceship out of Sapele.
With only tools from aldi
I would ride that spaceship.
Stop talking bullshit man!!
Spruce is the preferred timber.
With no carpenter glue in sight.
A true craftsman takes pleasure in sharing their knowledge with others, and this video demonstrates that immeasurably. Love your videos, Paul! Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge with the world!
So clear and easy to understand. This is a joint I have been nervous about learning, but I understand it like I never did before. Time to have a go. Thank you Paul. Of course, I watched your presentation on sharpening chisels just before watching this one and know that, without doubt, I shall have to go and show them a little love before I try this.
I always liked and admired hand tools. It used to drive me crazy that my school's shop class had cabinets full of beautiful hand tools and they barely got touched on, let alone demonstrated or used. Amazing what they can do in skilled hands. Thank you for the video.
You were lucky to have a school shop class! Not much of that going around these days. Too bad you didn't get any experience with the hand tools...probably because the teacher/instructor had none him/herself!
I love how you carefully, gently and beautifully describe even a "waste" chopped off the wood. My dad taught me that if you're gentle and loving the wood you're working with, results achieved are equally beautiful. I don't know if this is a miracle, but it works for me. Thanks dear Paul Sellers for all. Jake
Jake Gevorgian stellar!
@Peter Talbot Here's a huge collection of woodworking plans: WoodSun. xyz
Loved your comment. Thank you
I think the moral of your comment is; You get out what you put in? It's a wonderful lesson from your dad.
I am new to woodwork, and before this i always wanted to rush to make my joint to see it fit in only to be disappointed, but this calmed me and really stressed the point of "Measure twice, cut once". A bit of care on each cut and joint gives the perfect end result with your clear instructions, Thankyou.
I was amazed when I saw the router. Absolutely tickled to see a new tool.
Awesome video.....loved every second of it. It's skilled people like you that keep these dying techniques alive. Thank you for sharing your talent.
True. They’re definitely dying sadly
Finally, I understand a mortise and tenon joint. Thank you.
I’m reading Walden and Thoreau explained his home was constructed completely with mortise and tenon joints. After being mesmerized by this video I cannot imagine how hard it was for him to built his home. Beautiful video!
We've added English subtitles to this video. We work hard to reach as many people around the world and help them learn woodworking. We need your help to translate our videos subtitles to your language and progress our work. Please contribute translations here: kzhead.info_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UCc3EpWncNq5QL0QhwUNQb7w
lol
Paul Sellers I
Paul Sellers ',x
Paul, i´m not a native english speaker and i can say that a well done english subtitles is big big help for us because it make easier find a translation on dictionaries. So, even when a lot of us do not speak english, good english subtitles are a big help. I wish making some spanish subtitles (i´ll try at least) in the future and thanks for share your knowledge!
Paul Sellers That’s a waste time on this time Because we can do hundreds of parts in half hour.
Another very interesting presentation - Thanks for all the time an effort you put into these. Some time, perhaps on a video dealing with something else, or in your blog, I would like to see the details of how to insert wedges into the end of the tenon. (I know how I *think* it's done, but no doubt there are one or two 'tricks of the trade' which would not occur to the amateur.)
Offshoreorganbuilder We can do that. I will put it on the agenda.
Paul Sellers Thanks! I'll look out for it.
Has the wedge video been made? (I could not find it)
Boat teak steps
As a 52 year old novice who has discovered the joys of working with wood , these tutorial videos really are helpful.
Perfectly detailed lesson this was , thanks a lot for teaching us the important stuff to be aware of all the time
Any beginners (like myself) watching this. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to have a combination square that is actually square. Something from Home Depot or B&Q very often is not truly square. It is one of the most important tools you can own and it's well worth spending extra on a quality combination square. Good ones start from around £75/USD$100 which sounds a lot but it will save you no end of headaches. In my opinion its one of the few tools worth spending a significant part of your budget on as a beginner.
WOW A manual router! never thought i'd see one.
It's a cordless router.
I've also seen Rob Cosman pull one out occasionally.
So that's what they did before electricity! I wonder if the drills were manual too?
@@azul8811 I know you're joking but ... even today I have a "manual" drill in my toolbox for DIY stuff. There are times they are more convenient than a power drill. I have the simpler "hand drill" type, not a brace and bit.
@@stainlesssteellemming3885 Fully understood! I was just razzing the OP. I'm a boomer.
I absolutely love your videos. Good old hand craftsmanship! Thank you for making your videos.
So clear and detailed. Thank you. I’ve tried these in the past, but can see there’s a much better system. Thanks for teaching us
Notching the corner to get the knife line to transfer over vs going over the pencil mark, just blew my mind.
Yeah, started using that technique yesterday after watching this. As someone who has been woodworking for 2 months, I actually see the precision in my work increasing every day thanks to Paul.
Down the Paul Sellers rabbit hole I go. Information overload.
Don't you mean rabbet? :)
Ooooo well played. A missed pun is a sad situation indeed.
Missed it by a hare?
A hair=a tiny thickness, less than a mm, not a hare which is a lagomorph.
+Jo Allan Whoosh...
Extraordinary craftsmanship Paul. Bringing tears to my eyes TBH.
Thank you Mr. Sellers for all guidance and teachings, love from indonesia
Love you videos, I want to start doing this king of woodworking and get away from the power tools.
It's very calming using hand tools... I mean, good luck trying to make a bench using hand tools.. it'd take you forever. But something like a box, or something small and meaningful like a heirloom, you can't beat the satisfaction you get out of hand tools. Something about using chisels and planes.....
Ryan Jones I am gathering my tools now and practicing so when I retire in three years, start making artsy-fartsy stuff with them to sell at the local craft shows for fun and maybe a little profit.
I don't think very much of his time would be saved using power tools, he took the time to show us every detail, but the hand sawing does not take a lot of time, and remember he is assuming we don't have a pro workshop. Unlike many folks on youtube he does not have friends with a pro tools he can "borrow" I have seen a workbench my friend has made, its absolutely the opposite of this, there was no planing, no planning, and the wood supplier sent all the wood pre-sawn to size, which saves a lot of time. It's still a disaster from an aesthetic viewpoint as he did no hand planing, and used quite a few big nails, so all in all he took only a few hours to make it.
Beautiful joint! better sharpen my chisels and get practicing.
It's so inspiring watching a skilled tradesman work. Great upload Mr Sellers, thank you.
no woodworker could dislike this presentation. thanks for sharing
What wood are you using to do this?
+David Tetard Oak.
And you can see I'm off a millimeter... I wish I could be that accurate on my projects LOL
Woodworking with hand tools is very satisfying and even therapeutic. Thank you for the many hours I’ve watched your videos; it helps me a great deal.
This video gave me the confidence to start chopping mortises in the legs of my workbench. Thank you for that!
At 25:00 you were cutting the same side =) Very nice video though
I noticed that too
Furrane yah, that's why one of his shoulders isn't perfect on the finished joint. But very nice tutorial otherwise.
I thought that all joints were made in a 40 foot by 40 foot "home shop" that's kitted out with 50 grands worth of electrical machinery?
That's in America
No, that's where $100+ end grain cutting boards and $1000+ epoxy river tables are made.
Honestly, without any criticism towards Mr. Sellers - he owns and uses hand tools that are collectively much more expensive than the average hobbyist's entire shop, including all electrical tools.
@@AGH331 but they have been collected over a career spanning 50 years
@@AGH331 The only potentially really expensive tool I saw was that beautiful manual router and it was optional. Beyond that he used two chisels, a plane, a knife, tenon saw, mortise gauge and a mallet. The most expensive tenon saw I could find online was about 80 Euro: the most expensive at my DIY store is a tenner. A Stanley plane at a box store is about 50, another tenner gets you a chisel set, and maybe another 20 total for the knife, mallet and gauge. It's worth spending on the saw. At the beginning you can get cheaper planes and chisels and tune them up on a stone: by the time you're ready to throw them you'll also be ready to invest in more expensive ones (or you'll be on your next hobby). So ... 160 quid to get started: how much was your chop saw? My similar basic set is now 40 years old. I started off with the cheapest I could find at the DIY store and (other than the saw) I'm still using them all.
A gift to humankind. A generation of artisan craft people that is sadly fading away. Unfortunately nowadays young generation is lack of patience and unwilling to learn hand work and craft. Thank you Paul for leaving this precious gift and passing on your knowledge. Take care.
thanks for the instruction. i really appreciate the time you’ve put into these demonstrations. very well done.
I would like to try and make a little table using Paul's techniques but I'm having a hard time finding a hardwood supplier in Leeds! I wouldn't have thought it would be so hard but it seems everywhere just sells pine for building, no oak or walnut etc to be found. There's a place in Keighley but it's a long way away, are hardwood suppliers just few and far between these days?
***** I have a blog almost ready ion this, Ian, and a video on it too. Selection and prepping. Keep following my blog.
Paul Sellers will do thank you Paul!
+Ian Atkinson There is a timber merchant in Wakefield selling all myriad of hardwoods from oak to iroko. Drop me a message and I'll give the name and address. Can't be more than 15 minutes away from Leeds centre.
+vtrmcs Do you know the name? I can look it up if so thanks!
+Ian Atkinson If you find any suppliers like that please share in here. I'm from Leeds aswell and couldn't find any yet!
anytime I watch wood working videos I feel like my manhood is being renewed
Thank you for your time Paul.
It is so nice to see traditional methods being used. May take more time than the fancier tools of today but concepts and skills show in the finished product. Very well explained with a clear video.
Thank God for power tools!
Yup! I say that too!
They're not tools but rather power machines. Also, they aren't necessarily faster nor more accurate than hand tools. Once you get set up and start working cutting this joint by hand, especially by Mr. Sellers, one is just as fast as power machines. Why else would many woodworkers and woodworking professional advocate hand tool use in many situations. Your comment just doesn't make sense.
the comment makes perfect sense. If you were to be in a position where a dozen such joints are required, a power TOOL will reduce the labour investment considerably. will it be as fine a finish, unlikely, but it doesn't have to be unless you're an artisan. so I say your comment was confrontational for no other reason than to imply you're thoughts on the subject are more valid than the OP's.
great work and attention to detail here Paul. Though I heartily second Ariel's comment, power tools are a blessing for a quick consistent if not superior result.
Of course. But: - if you want to use a router to cut your mortise, you need a jig to center the router base on the timber. Or a router table. And if you don't have either you need to build them first. Sure, once they are built they are reusable but until you don't have them you can't cut a mortise with a router. - you want to use a drill press. You need good, expensive forstner bits to start off. And you need to know how to use a chisel anyway to pair the sides of the mortise. - you want to cut your tenon with a circular saw. That's probably the easiest way lacking a table saw. But still you need to know how to use a chisel to pair the shoulders. All in all, learning how to cut these joints by hand will make you a better woodworker in any case. But if you only know how to work with power tools, you will be lost without them. Without then considering the cost factor.
17:57 watch the the next 10 seconds over and over. He spends very little time fixing mistakes because he never gives them a chance to happen.
Thank you for this. Very clear and nice to see hand tools - so many (US) videos are loaded with power tools that we don't all have, especially if you only do a bit if woodworking. Very helpful.
Bravo, my friend.thank you very much for sharing your time and talent!
16:59 illuminati confirmed.
O . O O
the "All Seeing Eye" LOL
lol
The old one eye confirmed.lol
ash wednesday was
The best teachers in the world are the English and you Paul, your a number one.thank you for shearing your trade, very cool and down to earth
Its a emotional thing to watch. Paul says very much what I soaked up from my two wood work teachers in a humble Comp. school. They were two very knowledgeable men. Thanks for such honest presentation.
I never cease to learn from you. Thanks for the video!
Thanks once again for sharing your mastery and skill in an easy, non complex and enjoyable to watch way.
You are amazing! Great teacher and very gentle! Thank you for putting me back to "school"!
Supreme craftsmanship sir , no screws, nails OR glue yet rock solid , your skills are appreciated 👍🏴
Ty so much super informative for a life long steel worker who is in a later age wanting to create with wood.