A blind tenon joint, also known as a blind mortise and tenon joint, is a type of joinery technique used in woodworking. It involves creating a tenon (a protruding piece) on one piece of wood that fits into a mortise (a corresponding slot) on another piece of wood, but the mortise does not go completely through the receiving piece. Instead, it stops short at a certain depth, making it "blind" or hidden from view.
Blind tenon joints are often used in furniture construction, particularly in situations where you want to hide the joint, creating a seamless and visually appealing connection between two pieces of wood. This joint provides strength and stability by creating a mechanical interlock between the tenon and mortise, resisting lateral and twisting forces.
To create a blind tenon joint, the woodworker typically cuts the mortise with a chisel or a specialized mortising machine, ensuring that it stops at the desired depth. Then, a corresponding tenon is formed on the mating piece of wood, usually using a table saw, router, or tenoning jig. The tenon is typically sized to fit snugly into the mortise, allowing for a tight and secure joint.
Blind tenon joints can be further reinforced with glue or additional fasteners, such as dowels or screws, for added strength and durability. The joint can also be customized with various shapes and profiles, depending on the design requirements and aesthetic preferences of the woodworker.
Overall, blind tenon joints provide a strong, reliable, and visually pleasing method of joining wood pieces together, commonly used in high-quality furniture and woodworking projects.
