Hello once more chaps.

It's question time from me...

What is a 'stepped' mortice and tenon, and where or why would you have/use them?

Pictures would be helpful too

cheers lads
Arnie

I'm guessing it's the same as a Haunched Mortice and Tenon, usually use them where the mortice is close to the end of your timber, doors, sashes, table legs etc..

Mr google will probably have some images.

_________________
One day it will all be firewood.

Thanks for that one ayjay (for it being called Haunched) - google brought result for haunched but not stepped.

It's used in centre rails in doors etc, the tenon is haunched in the middle with tenon protruding either side of the haunch (if you follow me!) i.e you cut a tenon then cut the haunch from the centre of the tenon rther than the edge.

But it can also be stepped if your joining two pieces of timber togther and the piece with the mortice in has a rebate already machined, meaning one shoulder of the tenon has to be longer than the other!

Hi JonW.
hmm? I'm not getting what you mean about th haunch, and can't find any references/explanations or images as to the difference.
ie. every reference to haunched tenon indicates that it is a 'step'.
I get it about the part where you say stepped-meaning one shoulder of the tenon is longer than the other.

ahh...penny dropped. I get it now