Dado Blades TED 126 Spring 2007

dado Using a dado is a very functional and strong method for connecting two pieces of stock. It is especially useful when building cabinets or bookshelves. The dado head is a most useful accessory for cutting grooves, dadoes, rabbets, tenons and lap joints.

dado Methods for Cutting Dadoes: There are a few different methods for cutting a dado. Probably the most common method is to use a stacked dado head cutter on a table saw. Usually consists of two 8" diameter, 1/8"-kerf saw blades with a number of 1/8" & 1/16" chippers in between. By adding or removing chippers, you can obtain any width groove between 1/4" and 3/4". Wider dadoes can be cut by making more than one pass through the saw. A stacked dado head cutter set should only be used on a table saw or on some radial arm saws (check the tool's documentation to see if your table saw or radial arm saw will accommodate a stacked dado head cutting set).

Dado blade set This 46 tooth Dado Set is finely crafted to produce the finest cut in hardwood and veneered plywood. Each outside blade has 46 teeth ground with negative relief for the smoothest cut possible. Four – two-wing style chippers allow dados of up to 13/16" in width. Set includes one 1/4", one 1/16" and two 1/8" chippers, shim set and carrying case. shims chippers

Dado blade set

dado Points to Remember: When two or more chippers are used, distribute them equally around the saw. Place the two cutting edges of the inside chippers in line with the bottom of the gullets. This is necessary because the inside chippers are “swaged”. This swaged part must be allowed to enter the gullet. I f this is not done then an oversized grooves/dadoes will be cut. It is important that you use the appropriate throat plate for the dado set. When cutting a dado, try to avoid cutting any deeper than 1/3 of the way through the stock receiving the dado, to keep from weakening the stock. For instance, when cutting a dado in a 3/4" shelf standard, make your dado cut 1/4" into the standard. Also, there may be times when a dado shouldn't be cut the entire length of the stock. In this event, it may be best to cut the dado on a router table.

Dado “wobble set” Another option is a "wobble" dado set for the circular saw. This is a single saw blade set on an adjustable spindle. Adjusting the blade angle on the spindle will change the width of the dado. While these are much cheaper than a stacked dado head cutter set, the results are far less predictable, and in my experience, rarely acceptable. I'd resist the urge to buy a wobble dado and save my pennies for a quality stacked dado set.

Dado “wobble set” I'd resist the urge to buy a wobble dado and save my pennies for a quality stacked dado set. the end