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Machine Screw
Threaded fastener similar to a small bolt but with a slotted or Phillips head like a screw, used with a nut or in a tapped hole; sometimes called a stove bolt
Mallet
A generally wooden, large-headed striking tool
Mandrel
A mounting rod used to turn hollow cylindrical blanks on a lathe, as for pen parts
Marking Gauge
An adjustable device with a steel pin or knife that marks a single layout line parallel to a wood edge
Marquetry
Technique using veneer of contrasting woods cut into pieces and arranged to form a pattern; a form of inlay in which pieces of veneer are cut into shapes and inserted into another piece of veneer, which is then laminated to another surface (can’t be used interchangeably with “intarsia”)
Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)
An engineered panel product (usually abbreviated as MDF) consisting of wood fibers that are glued under heat and pressure. First manufactured in 1924 by the founder of the Masonite Corp. The “medium” in its name refers to the fact that it weighs between 33 and 50 pounds per cubic foot. The less common High Density Fiberboard weighs between 50 and 80 pounds per cubic foot. MDF has no grain structure and no voids. Most variants are susceptible to water damage. Stands for medium density fiberboard. Its a really versatile man made material and is available in a sheet form which is ideal for shelves, window boards and pipe boxings as well as pre-primed moldings such as skirting boards and architraves.
Medullary Rays
A structure in a tree that stores and delivers food horizontally through the trunk. In some species, such as oak, the medullary rays can be quite large. When the tree is quartersawn, the rays become visible on the face of the board. This feature is sometimes also known as “ray flake.”
Metric (measuring) system
Measuring system that that uses units like an millimeters, centimeters, meters, etc
Milk Paint
A milk-based (casein) furniture paint
Mill
Cutting a workpiece to its intended size and shape
Mineral Spirits
A standard solvent for oil-based paint and varnishes; also called paint thinner
Miter
A surface forming the beveled edge of a joint
Miter Box
A tool used for cutting moldings and other narrow stock at precise angles, particularly 45° to achieve mitered corners; can be manual, used in conjunction with a backsaw, or powered with its own circular saw blade
Miter Gauge
A device that slides in a miter slot paralleling the blade of a table saw or band saw with a pivoting protractor head and fence to facilitate crosscutting at different angles
Miter Joint
A traditional box joint that hides edge grain. The miter joint can be tricky to cut perfectly and align during glue-up. When used in a long-grain-to-long-grain application, the strength of the joint is very good, while a short-grain-to-short-grain application offers very little strength.
Miter Saw
A handsaw used with a miter box; a power saw, similar to a circular saw, that cuts miters
Moisture Content
The amount of water contained in a piece of lumber
Molding
A length of wood into which a decorative profile has been milled, often used as transition between two walls or surfaces
Mortise
A recess cut into a piece to receive a tenon or some kind of hardware, such as a lock or a hinge
Mortise-and-Tenon
A strong form of joinery in which a generally rectangular stub (tenon) cut on one piece of stock is inserted into a matching cavity (mortise) cut into another and secured with glue or pegs
Mortiser
A machine similar to a drill press but with a hollow, square chisel surrounding the drill bit, used to cut square or rectangular cavities, known as mortises, in wood
Mullion
A center stile that separates panes or panels inside a frame
Muntin
A strip that separates panes of glass in a sash
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