This method for cutting tenons on the table saw uses two blades with spacers between. The beauty of this system is that the tenon thickness is “locked in” and does not depend on variables such as stock thickness or pressure against the fence.

I keep a pair of special hollow-ground blades for tenon work. They are jointed as a pair and filed for ripping. Since the hub and tooth thickness are the same, cutting a 5/16-in. tenon, for example, simply requires mounting the two blades with a 1/4-in. and a 1/16-in. spacer between. My set of custom-machined spacers are 2-1/2-in. discs drilled to slip over the saw arbor. Spacer thicknesses range from 1/4 in. to 0.005 in. To pass the work through the blades, I use a standard miter gauge tracked in a plywood fence as shown above. This approach eliminates vertical rocking and thus is safer and more accurate than other methods.

Mac Campbell, Harvey Station, N.B., Canada

Fine Woodworking Magazine, August 1980 No. 23

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Veritas Standard Wheel Marking Gauge

A wheel-type gauge is the easiest to use, and this wonderful Veritas model is a steal at $38.

Buy at Lee Valley

Leigh Super 18 Jig

This jig is a value-oriented alternative to the Leigh D4R, but its template system is just as excellent.

Buy at Amazon Buy at Woodcraft

Double Sided Tape

A thin woven core makes XFasten tape strong yet not too thick (0.008 in.), and helps it hold powerfully without being difficult to peel off.

Buy at Amazon