# Tusk tenon joint (knock-down wedged tenon)

> How does a tusk tenon work?

- Category: Joinery › Mortise & tenon joints
- Kind: Hardware
- Basis: Xem Studio design — geometry computed in the generator from traditional proportions
- Page: https://xemstudio.com/objects/tusk-tenon-joint/ · JSON: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=tusk-tenon-joint · Plain text: https://xemstudio.com/objects/tusk-tenon-joint/sheet.txt
- License: dimension sheet CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio); files Xem Studio Design License (free to use and sell from, not to redistribute as files: https://xemstudio.com/license/)
- Use in every chat: add https://xemstudio.com/mcp as a connector (https://xemstudio.com/use-with-ai/)

## Overall (mm)

| length | width | height |
|---|---|---|
| 80.0 | 115.0 | 44.0 |

**Exact dimensions.** True size, with no printing tolerance added.

## Notes

- Woodworking joint drawn for 3D printing: the parts lock together by shape, so a print can be joined without glue or screws. Drawn at true size with the parts line to line (zero gap) in their assembled position — add your printer's fit allowance to the mating faces (your AI or slicer can do this).
- A knock-down joint: the tenon passes through and a tapered wedge through the projecting end draws it tight against the post. The slot reaches 1 mm into the mortise so the wedge bears on the post, not on the slot.

## Sizes

| dimension | value |
|---|---|
| stock | 20 × 20 mm square |
| parts | post, rail, wedge |
| tenon | 8 × 14 mm, projecting 35 mm past the post |
| wedge | 5 mm thick, 1:10 taper, 44 mm long |
| assembles | tenon through, wedge driven down; knock the wedge out to take it apart |
| holds | pull-out, tightened by the wedge against the post's face |

## Where the files are

- Xem Studio: [Joinery design (geometry computed in the generator from traditional proportions)](https://xemstudio.com/) — web — Xem Studio design

## Free STEP/STL (4 parts, Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio)

Index: https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/index.json · license: https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/LICENSE.md

- tusk-tenon-joint-post: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/tusk-tenon-joint-post.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/tusk-tenon-joint-post.stl) — Through-mortised member
- tusk-tenon-joint-rail: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/tusk-tenon-joint-rail.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/tusk-tenon-joint-rail.stl) — Rail with a long through tenon and a tapered wedge slot
- tusk-tenon-joint-wedge: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/tusk-tenon-joint-wedge.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/tusk-tenon-joint-wedge.stl) — Tapered wedge (1:10)
- tusk-tenon-joint-assembled: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/tusk-tenon-joint-assembled.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tusk-tenon-joint/tusk-tenon-joint-assembled.stl) — All parts in their assembled position (each part its own solid)

## Questions

**Why use a tusk tenon?**

It takes apart: knock the wedge out and the rail slides free — good for printed furniture and stands.

## Fits with

- [Through mortise and tenon joint](https://xemstudio.com/objects/through-mortise-and-tenon-joint/)
- [Wedged through tenon joint](https://xemstudio.com/objects/wedged-through-tenon-joint/)