Front Door Mortise Marking and Cutting

I've already cut the tenons. Have a look at the previous page
I know some folks like to cut the mortises first and mark off the tenons from them however I find it easier and more accurate this way round.

Accurate Marking Out of Mortises

The principle I stick to is DONT USE MEASUREMENTS. Every time I measure and every time I mark a measurement is an opportunity to introduce an error. These errors can soon add up!

In cutting the tenons on the rails, I've not had to make any accurate measurements and I don't intend to start now. In marking out the mortises I only need the overall door height and the size of the glazed portion (equates to the length of the top muntin).

Marking door mortises

A = Overall door height

B = Top muntin (worked out previously using the the golden ratio)

C = Bottom muntin (whatever the distance is)

Step 1. Cut and Tenon the Muntins

With the rails laid out on the stiles laid out the length of the muntins can be marked out + 30mm for the tenons. Then the little 15mm blind tenons can be cut (same way as I cut the other tenons).

Step 2 . Marking Mortise Extents

Lay the stiles and the rails out again, this time USE THE MUNTINGS to space the rails (so any marking and cutting discrepancies are taken in to account). Mark across the rails at x, y and z.

Step 3. Marking the Mortise.

Each tenon can now be used as a template to mark out the corresponding mortise.

Tenon to mark mortise

Step 4. Marking rails for the blind mortises.

This did need a measurement because the mutins need to be joined in the middle of the rails. Watch the video to see how I didn't need to be spot on accurate.

The only other dimension needed is the depth of the mortice to take the haunch. This needs a bit of clearance (2mm in my case) to ensure the it doesn't stop the joint coming together fully when its full of glue.