through mortices for a slab bench

[Selwyn]

Best way to do them please? They will be 5" long and 1" wide in the centre of a bench top for sitting on in to which the tenon legs will go

I don't own a mortice chisel and the slab is 1" thick and not sure a router bit will get through that depth.

Just chip away with a conventional chisel? Or split in half and do on the table saw?

Thanks (should I buy some mortice chisels?)

 

[MatthewRedStars]

Router in stages using a 'letterbox' jig.

 

[Roughcut]

Drill out the waste and then finish off with a chisel?

 

[Racers]

Why go all the way through?
The top will happily sit on as 1/2" deep mortice and your bench won't have a tenon that protrudes or is recessed depending on the weather.

Pete

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The slab is 1" thick and not sure a router bit will get through that depth? You can easily cut lock mortices with a router.

 

[Selwyn]

Why go all the way through?
The top will happily sit on as 1/2" deep mortice and your bench won't have a tenon that protrudes or is recessed depending on the weather.

Pete

Actually this is a good point because I did a little kiddie version and the protruding tenon looks a bit rubbish

Thanks for all the other suggestions too