how long should a tenon be cut
The rule in Ellisâs book is two-fold. First, make the tenon one-half the width of the rail youâre cutting it on (a 2â³-wide rail would get a 1â³-wide tenon). Second: If that tenonâs width would be greater than six times its thickness, then you should split it into two (or more tenons). Example: You want to cut a 1/4â³-thick tenon on a 6â³-wide rail. Ellisâs rule says that your tenon should be 3â³ wide. But a 3â³-wide tenon is greater than 1-1/2â³, which is six times the tenon thickness. So you have to break that tenon into two 1-1/2â³-wide tenons.