Cutting notch with table saw

[Frederick Rowe]

I agree with Brad, not a safe operation for a table saw. I was building some utilitarian shelving using 2x4's and planned to notch the vertical 2x4's for the shelves to rest in. I was going to make the notches with my cabinet saw, but even with as much care as I took selecting the best 2x4's there were enough twists and bows that just about nothing sat flat on the table when I began the cut. I made quick work out of it by using a circular saw and a chisel. For me it wasn't worth dimentioning a bunch of knotty 2x4's.

[Ellen Benkin]

I've only seen this done using a circular saw. As suggested, set the right depth on the saw, clamp the boards together, make many parallel cuts, and use a hammer to knock out the remaining wood. If you don't make the cuts close enough you may have to clean them up with a chisel, but that takes almost no time.

[Austin Grote]

Make several cuts with a hand saw, and clean it up with a chisel.

[John Appleseed]

Thanks for the input guys, it was much appreciated....

[Rod Sheridan]

It's a perfect application for a tablesaw with a dado blade.....Rod.