Types

• There are a variety of different types of tenoning jigs, from commercially built models made from cast iron, steel or aluminum, to homemade models typically made from wood. Commercial models typically use the miter slot on the table saw to keep the jig in line. Many homemade models will use the saw's fence as a guide.
  
  

Function

• Tenons are typically cut into the end of a piece of stock. To make the cheek cuts along the two faces of the board, the stock needs to be held in a vertical position as it is cut. The tenoning jig holds the board in this position, and the entire apparatus is pushed toward and through the blade.
  
  

Features

• The face of a tenoning jig must be square to the tabletop and perfectly parallel to the blade when in use. A screw-type clamp is typically used to hold the stock flat against the tenoning jig's face, with the end of the board flat on the tabletop.
  
  

Adjustments

• Adjustment screws on the base of the commercial tenoning jigs are used to adjust the position of the board and align it in the correct position relative to the blade. On a homemade jig, the position of the jig is usually adjusted by moving the fence. Raising or lowering the blade will adjust the depth of the cheek cut.
  
  

Angled Tenons

• On some rare occasions, a woodworker may need to make an angled tenon. Some commercial tenoning jigs have the ability to adjust the angle of the face to an acute angle. Of course, if your tenoning jig doesn't have this feature, you can still cut angled tenons by adjusting the angle of your table-saw blade.