Timber Frame Mortise And Tenon

Through mortise and tenon joints typically go together one of the two ways shown above.

Timber frame mortise and tenon.

We enjoy these old time methods of connecting timbers and find that many of our timber frame clients are intrigued by them too. Traditional joinery is the classic way to connect timbers in post beam and timber frame structures. Responsible timber framing with the mortise and tenon and dovetail connection system creates safer durable structures more resistant to powerful coastal storms high winds heavy snows of high mountainous regions and seismic shifting maintaining structural integrity. Mortises and tenons are cut into the beams which are secured together with hardwood pegs.

8 x 8 mortise tenon joint cut in oak basic timber framing techniques for use in post and beam construction. Either both parts are the same thickness a 3 4 rail mating a 3 4 stile for example or the tenon fits into a mortised part of greater thickness such as a 3 4 thick table apron against a 1 1 2 square leg. The two master craftsmen and our lead designer at texas timber frames use to cut our frames by hand crafting each piece using the traditional tools of hammer and chisel. It is an elegant and beautiful style of construction.

But as a general guideline make the tenon about 1 3 the total thickness of the tenoned workpiece and about 1 2 2 3 as long as the width of the mortised workpiece. All of our buildings are crafted from heavy timbers using traditional mortise and tenon joinery interlocking like puzzle pieces with peg and hole construction. Mortise and tenon timber frames the driving force behind our ability to execute on our complicated structures with efficiency and speed is rooted in our company history. This will become the shoulder where the tenon starts.

Step 1 measure mark the tenon start by measuring and marking a line all the way around the beam for how long you want the tenon to be. Using a mix of power tools and hand finishing with chisels like traditional amish barn builders we consistently produce finely crafted timber frame kits for your barn or home. Comments likes and shares of my videos much. Of course the specific mortise and tenon size will vary by application michael.