Cutting a rectangular hollow into lumber -- what is the correct term?

Question

Any tips on how to do what I'm asking are welcome, but first of all I would like to ask for the correct terminology (because not knowing it prevents me from even Googling myself).

Maybe the title is not totally clear (because I don't know the right term), so let me explain in detail:

suppose you have a thicker plank or other dimension lumber, something like this
now let's say, you want to make the middle part more deep in a rectangular area, but not cut completely through the lumber, like this:

              +---------------------+
              |                     <------ untouched part
              | +-----------------+ |
              | |                 | |
              | |               <---------- deeper, flat, but not   
              | |                 | |       cut through surface
              | |                 | |
              | |                 | |
              | |                 | |
              | |                 | |
              | |                 | |
              | |                 | |
              | |                 | |
              | |                 | |
              | |                 | |
              | +-----------------+ |
              |                     |
              +---------------------+

One example use case, just to give an idea, would be building a table top from which the tools (like screw drivers, pencils, etc.) cannot roll down. (The actual use case I'm planning to do, is building a base for a power-strip, inspired by this answer.)

Questions

What is this process called? (I thought I remembered something like "embeveling", but that is not the correct word, because it means "chopping off the edge at a degree.) -- This is actually the most important.
What tools can be used to do this?
What is the procedure for doing this?

For future reference this is too many queries in one. The follow-on query on the tools to create a recess is fine, the one on how is a Question in its own right. — Graphus, Mar 01 '20 at 14:14
My new fav youtuber https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPGa5QBQHmQ — Alaska Man, Apr 14 '20 at 19:22

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 01 '20 at 11:52

Some of the words that fit your objective are mortise and recess. Typically a mortise is an opening cut part way into wood to receive a tenon to create a strong joint. A mortise is described also as a recess. You can also use inlay to find other useful references.

For a large area project as you describe, a set of chisels and gouges would be useful if you intend to perform this action using hand tools.

A method using power tools requires either a router table or a router jig. One could attempt the process without either, but the depth of the recess would be inconsistent and may not result in an acceptable appearance.

A more comprehensive answer can be found on this SE.

Cutting a rectangular hollow into lumber -- what is the correct term?

1 Answers1