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    Fine Woodworking Project Guides

    Tables and Desks

    Guide Home
    Chapter
    • Design and Techniques
    • Dining Tables
    • Side Tables
    • Coffee Tables and Hall Tables
    • Desks
    Video

    Modern Desk: Angled Leg Mortises

    Time-tested techniques for cutting angled mortises with a horizontal mortiser.

    Author Headshot By Tim Rousseau Jul 23, 2019

    FineWoodworking

    Tim Rousseau’s modern desk might look simple, but a lot goes into making such an elegant piece. While Tim tackles this project with a pro’s perspective using tools found in professional shops, he also draws parallels to tools found in most hobbyist woodshops.

    If we’re honest, some of the math is a bit fuzzy in this episode of Tim’s video workshop on making the desk. Don’t taunt us about it; instead, learn from Tim’s method, which is completely sound.

    Tim uses his horizontal mortiser to create the leg mortises at what could be a daunting 13º and 1.5º

    Tim references this video from his Asian-Inspired Hall Table Video Workshop:

    Legs, Aprons and Under-rails

    Legs, Aprons, and Under Rails

    Learn how to cut mortises with a plunge router and templates. Then watch as Timothy Rousseau adds the final taper to his hall table’s legs with an ingenious sled.

    Download the plans for this table from the Digital Plans Library. Plus, browse 100+ other plans available for members only.

    Video shot and edited by Jeff Roos and Ben Strano
    Produced by Ben Strano

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    Videos in the Series

    • Danish Modern Desk

      How to Make a Danish Modern Desk

      July 9, 2019

      Tim Rousseau’s modern desk looks simple, but a lot goes into making it. In this introductory video Tim gives an overview of the build.

    • Modern Desk: How to Veneer the Writing Surface

      July 9, 2019

      Use thick, shopsawn veneer to create an attractive and durable writing surface.

    • Making the Routing Templates

      Modern Desk: Router Templates for Curved Parts

      July 16, 2019

      Tim Rousseau reveals his secrets for making perfect patterns for routing.

    • Modern Desk: Pattern-Routing Curved Parts

      July 16, 2019

      Learn to use patterns to rout curved parts efficiently and cleanly, with no tearout.

    • Routing Straight Grooves

      Modern Desk: Joinery for the Desk Top

      July 16, 2019

      How to cut straight grooves in curved parts using a router with an edge guide.

    • Modern Desk: Angled Leg Mortises

      July 23, 2019

      Time-tested techniques for cutting angled mortises with a horizontal mortiser.

    • angled tenons

      Modern Desk: Angled Tenons on the Tablesaw

      July 30, 2019

      How to cut angled leg tenons on the tablesaw using a fence-mounted jig and a wedge.

    • Modern Desk: Curved Legs

      August 6, 2019

      Use the tablesaw to taper the legs, and a router and pattern to shape the curves.

    • mortising legs

      Modern Desk: Making the Stretchers

      August 13, 2019

      How to make the stretchers and cut the joinery in the legs for them.

    • Modern Desk: Making the Desk Top

      August 20, 2019

      Once the desk top is trimmed to size, create the edge profiles and cut the joinery.

    • shaping

      Modern Desk: Backsplash and Bottom Apron

      August 27, 2019

      Tim Rousseau discusses his joinery choices and demonstrates how to use a shaper and tablesaw to shape and contour the last of the desk components.

    • Modern Desk: Gluing Up the Side Assemblies

      September 3, 2019

      Curved parts can make a glue-up more stressful, but custom cauls ensure that things go smoothly.

    • Modern Desk: Jig-Free Dowel Joint

      September 10, 2019

      Complete the desk joinery and then dry-fit the entire desk to make sure everything goes together smoothly.

    • final glue-up

      Modern Desk: Final Glue-Up

      September 17, 2019

      Breaking down the assembly into manageable sections will reduce the stress of this multipart glue-up.

    X
    X
    Previous: Modern Desk: Joinery for the Desk Top Next: Modern Desk: Angled Tenons on the Tablesaw

    Guide

    Tables and Desks

    Chapter

    Desks

    Comments

    1. User avater
      GaryK60 | Jul 28, 2019 11:25pm | #1

      Wow shot down in the middle LOL waiting to see the following episodes it only goes to 4

    2. User avater
      woodworker56 | Dec 07, 2019 03:26pm | #2

      Tim, I'm glad you took the time in this episode to address the reason you made the mortises at this time. My head has been exploding from the 3a episode. As a person that worked in a high end production shop (most work going to Manhattan corporate board rooms) my boss would have cut my head off then fired me.

    3. JRGlynn | Mar 27, 2021 10:23pm | #3

      Wow! I was today days old when I learned the trick of dropping the stem of the "angle dodad" through the adjustable bevel gauge to adjust the bevel. Nice little time-saver!

      1. user-7596380 | Sep 03, 2021 01:14pm | #6

        Agreed. Unfortunately my "Doodad" blade is too thick to allow the angle gauge to lock in place. (It just fits in the slot, however, when the gauge is tightened the "Doodad's" blade is locked in place with it.) I just knew I needed another tool. Now, which will it be?

    4. Heinmadegoods | Jun 09, 2021 07:26pm | #4

      I am loving this video series, thank you. I stumbled on a horizontal mortiser that I'm excited to have but I can't find good bits for it. It has a big router style chuck that accepts 1/2" bits. If anyone has any recommendations I'd love to see them so I can safely put it to use making sweet angled mortises like this.

    5. User avater
      Mattk41 | Sep 01, 2021 01:30pm | #5

      Great video. I have a horizontal mortiser mounted on my jointer/plainer as well...can you share what bit you are using? When I purchased mine the manufacturer recommended a birds-mouth bit-essentially a straight cutter...but the spiral fluting, like in all bits, would be smoother cutting and cooler running, As its turning with the j/p cutter head, is the end mill "left handed/cutting "? Extra long? Where are you sourcing? Thanks!
      Matt

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    Tables and Desks

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