A mortise is a hole in wood or stone that receives a tenon, creating a joint without additional fasteners. Mortises must fit snugly and allow for expansion. There are through and socket mortises, and mortises can be chiseled by hand or drilled with a machine. This construction method has been used for centuries and was even used to build Stonehenge.
A mortise is a recess or hole that is cut into wood or stone and is specially intended to receive a tenon, or protrusion, on another piece of wood or stone. Together, the two pieces create a mortise and tenon joint, one that connects two pieces of wood without requiring additional fasteners or adhesives. This type of construction has been used by carpenters and architects throughout history, especially before the invention of fasteners, such as nails and screws.
The easiest way to visualize the relationship might be to think of a series of instructions that read “insert tab A into slot B”. The tenon is tab A and the mortise is slot B. Inserting the tenon into the mortise effectively joins the two pieces.
To work properly, the tenon should fit snugly into the mortise so that the joint doesn’t come loose. Mortises must leave enough room for the material of both the mortise and tenon to expand with heat or moisture. Mortise and tenon joints are most often used to join two elements at a 90° angle. When used correctly, this type of construction is solid and safe.
Carpenters and carpenters use different types of mortises. One that goes completely through the workpiece is called a through mortise. These generally create a more secure joint, but can actually cause the piece to break if it is thin or small. A cavity that does not pass completely through the workpiece is called a socket mortise. This type is suitable for small, thin pieces, or where the mortises need to cut more than one surface at the same point along the length of the wood.
In modern carpentry shops, the mortise is chiseled by hand or drilled with a machine. Mortise jigs are templates used to ensure blanks are cut to the same size during mass production. Carpenters, carpenters who specialize in making prefabricated panels and parts for use on construction sites, often create parts with mortises.
Mortise and tenon construction may be one of the oldest construction methods. Examples have been found in archaeological digs around the world, particularly in China. At one time, entire buildings were commonly constructed using only mortise and tenon construction. A famous example of this is Stonehenge, believed to have been erected between 2600 and 2400 BC
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