Nothing like a Pig Sticker

I've started the first of MsOK's side tables. This one will be simple and traditional with a base of Sapele and a Sycamore top. The base was rough dimensioned this AM, the neighbors have to love me, nothing like a dust collector running at 02:00 on a Sunday morning. The tunes were good as well.

The first pair of mortices have been chopped, three more to go. I've tried most ways of chopping mortices, hollow chisel, router, drill press, bench chisel, slash chisel, and all work Ok but for a limited number such as for a simple table there ain't nothing better nor faster than a Pig Sticker.  I've a few old ones I've refurbished but the best are the Ray Iles Chisels from Tools for Working Wood.