Doug wrote:kirkpoore1 wrote:
Doug, if you keep both hands on the handles when cutting it's pretty safe. You're not going to get any kickback or have your workpiece get loose. Yes, the blade is unguarded but that's the case with any non-through cut.
Kirk
I agree Kirk & there’s many ways to skin a cat, but I thought it was worth pointing out the jig comes with its own risks, personally I think there are safer & quicker ways of cutting the joint but each to their own
There are indeed many ways to make a tenon. I think I've tried seven:
Hand cut shoulder/split face
Hand cut shoulder/sawn face
Radial arm saw shoulder and faces (repeated cuts parallel to the shoulder)
Tenon jig shoulder & face
RAS shoulder/tenon jig face
Shaper
Tenoner
The tenoner is the best, but few have them. Shaper with a sliding table may be the second best, but I didn't have a sliding table so I used a jig. Worked well for some things, but long parts tended to sag and lose accuracy. RAS shoulder/tenon jig face was the most accurate after that, and fairly quick even though it needed more cuts.
Used with care, the tenon jig is plenty safe. Used without paying attention, you're going to screw up your tenons anyway. I will say this: Once it's dialed in, you can cut tenon faces so fast you can get complacent. That's where the trouble starts.
Kirk