The “mortise” is the recess where the tenon goes. It can be cut by hand with a mallet and mortising chisel, or mechanically with a mortising machine and a hollow chisel bit. If you don’t have those ...

Mortises are one of the strongest woodworking joints and are a sign of quality whether in fine furniture or timber-frame cabins. A skilled carpenter can make them by hand, but it’s a laborious process ...