ELEVATE Variable Mortise and Tenon Routing Jig
ELEVATE Variable Mortise and Tenon Routing Jig (3/4")
For years we've been big fans of the tools Chris Ensor makes at ELEVATE Lutherie. They're well-thought-out, precision-engineered, and built by someone who truly understands the realities of guitar making. Many of us use them in our own shops.
That's why we're excited to offer several ELEVATE Lutherie tools at StewMac, starting with one of the most thoughtfully designed mortise-and-tenon jigs we've ever seen.
The problem
Cutting a mortise-and-tenon joint is one of those operations where small errors can compound quickly. Centering, angle, depth of cut, and the length of both the mortise and the tenon all must be exactly right, or you end up with BIG PROBLEMS when it's time to assemble the instrument.
The ELEVATE Lutherie Variable Mortise and Tenon Routing Jig is designed to remove that stress and uncertainty, producing a clean, accurately matched joint that fits perfectly every time.
The key is its variable design. Instead of forcing your work to conform to a fixed-geometry jig, this system adjusts to your specific instrument, letting you dial everything in accurately and lock it in place before making the cut.
Why builders rely on it
This jig allows you to route the mortise in the body first, then precisely match the tenon to that exact length and depth. It's a methodical, stress-free, and repeatable way to approach one of the most critical steps in any acoustic instrument build.
If you've seen Beau Hannam's in-depth walkthrough of this jig, you know how compelling that workflow is. Beau has used ELEVATE's M+T jigs for years, and his video does an excellent job of showing not just how it works, but why it earns a permanent place in the shop.
Built for precision
The jig is machined from solid aluminum for rigidity and lifetime durability. A pivoting, lockable routing plate conforms to your set angle, ensuring both sides of the joint stay true. Centering is handled through the truss-rod slot using alignment pins, eliminating visual alignment errors and keeping everything indexed to true center.
The jig is intentionally designed to leave a slight length clearance so the joint never bottoms out at angle.
Final fitting to get a perfect joint is quick and painless. Your only regret will be not buying one sooner.
Included with the M+T Routing Jig (#104358):
- Jig 3/4"
- Centering pin - cononical
Available options sold separately:
- Centering pin for 1/4" truss rod slot
- Centering pin custom-fit for StewMac Hot Rod Truss Rods (.225" slot)
- Alignment Checker (3/4") for fast, confident centerline verification during setup — highly recommended!
