EDIY: How To Create a Tenon Jig for the Table Saw

Written by Rachel in Plans

This tenon jig for the table saw allows users to easily cut tenons and half-lap joints in wood. When using this jig, the wood is oriented in a vertical position to cut the tenon and half-lap joint thickness in one pass.

Tenons and half-lap joints can be cut on the table saw without a jig. The only issue with the previous method is that the blade height had to be set to the tenon thickness. The tenon had to be cut in multiple passes and the excess had to be chiseled in the end. The tenon jig will make cutting tenons and half-lap joints much quicker and easier.

Directory

  1. Materials
  2. Steps Overview
  3. Steps

Materials

Important: My rip fence is 3″ high and 1.5″ thick. Scale numbers 1 and 2 accordingly for your configuration.

  1. 6×3.5″ plywood – .5″ higher than your rip fence height
  2. 6×1.5″ plywood – Your rip fence thickness
  3. 6×6″ plywood
  4. 6×1.5×2.5″ wood block
  5. Nails
  6. Wood glue
  7. Nail gun
  8. Speed square

Note: I recommend .5″ plywood or thicker for this jig.

Steps overview

  1. Mark rip fence height on 6×6″ plywood
  2. Glue and nail the 6×1.5″ plywood above the marked line
  3. Glue and nail the 6×3.5″ plywood on the other side of the 6×1.5″ plywood
  4. Glue and nail the wood block on the right side of the 6×6″ plywood face

Steps

Mark rip fence height on 6×6″ plywood

First, you want to mark the rip fence height on the 6×6″ plywood. The 6 x 1 1/2″ plywood will go right over this line, giving us the perfect fit over the rip fence.

Glue and nail the 6×1.5″ plywood above the marked line

Now you will join the 6″ side of the 6 x 1 1/2″ plywood to the 6 x 6″ plywood. You want to use a speed square, clamps, glue, and nails to join the two wood pieces at a 90-degree angle.

Glue and nail the 6×3.5″ plywood on the other side of the 6×1.5″ plywood

Now you will join the 6″ side of the 6 x 3 1/2″ plywood to the other side of the 6 x 1 1/2″ plywood just like the previous step

Glue and nail the wood block on the right side of the 6×6″ plywood face

Lastly, you will add the wood block to the right side of the 6 x 6″ plywood face. You want to ensure the block is at a 90-degree angle with the bottom of the 6 x 6″ plywood face. Having the block at an angle other than 90 degrees will cut the tenons at an angle.

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Rachel

My name is Rachel Blanding and I am a woodworker. I started woodworking at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. I mainly create and refurbish furniture and create art. In this site I will share with you the knowledge I have gained over the years, and what worked for me and what didn't.

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EverythingDiyProjects is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in other affiliate programs which compensate us for referring traffic.