How to Build a Tenon Cutter

• 1). Place the 3/4-by-12-by-12-inch hardwood plywood panel on a work surface. Align the 1-by-3-by-12-inch pine board on the right hand side of the panel so the edges are flush. This is the board that the hold-down clamp will be mounted to and is the front side of the tenon cutter. Screw the board in place using a screw gun and 2-inch wood screws. Screw two screws on the top, middle, and bottom of the board. Space the screws evenly apart.
  
  
• 2). Place the 2-by-6-by-12-inch board on a work surface. Place the 2-by-12-inch edge of the 2-by-4-by-12-inch board on top of the 6-by-12-inch surface of the 2-by-6-by-12-inch board. Align the 2-by-4-by-12 board along one edge to create an L-shape. Screw the boards together using a screw gun and 2-inch wood screws. Space the screws evenly every three inches apart. This is the over-the-fence assembly.
  
  
• 3). Place the 3/4-by-12-by-12-inch hardwood plywood panel assembly upright. Place the over-the-fence assembly against the edge so that it is perpendicular to the panel and forms a channel that will fit over the table saw fence. Fasten the over-the-fence assembly to the panel by screwing 2-inch wood screws from the front of the panel into the assembly.
  
  
• 4). Measure 4 inches from the bottom of the front side of the panel using a tape measure. Mark the measurement with a pencil.
  
  
• 5). Place the hold-down clamp in the center of the 1-by-3-by-12-inch pine board on the pencil mark. The hold=down should face inward towards the center of the panel. Fasten the hold-down clamp to the pine board using the provided screws and a screw gun. Place the entire assembly on the table saw. Slide the over-the-fence part over the table saw fence. You can now adjust the fence in relation to the saw blade to accommodate the size of the tenon you would like to cut. Once the fence is at the right place, lock it. Place the tenon stock against the 1-by-3-by-12-inch pine board and lock the hold down clamp onto the tenon stock. You can now cut the tenon stock and remove it by releasing the hold down clamp.