How do you make dados?

[Charles Wilson]

Just curious.

I don't have a TS and really am not planning on getting one. I am looking into accurate alternatives to make accurate dados.

Thanks,
Chuck

[keith ouellette]

There are all manner of router bits for this purpose. Some people prefer this method. Router and straight edge is all it takes.

[Lee Koepke]

i usually make mine too wide


currently i use my TS, but my next 'jig on the drawing board' is an adjustable dado jig for my router that i found in one of my magazines

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I use a router and a jig.....or a router and a straight edge.

[Steve Clardy]

Tablesaw usually. Or a router

[Bryan Froden]

Definitely with a dado blade and table saw. I found it’s just so much easier, now that’s just me. I guess it depends on what you’re used to. I’ve posted some pictures on dados and how we use them on my website under cabinetry. XXXXXXXXXX

[Peter Quadarella]

I use a router that attaches to my EZ Smart rail.

[Jim Becker]

Dados (across the workpiece), grooves (the length of the workpiece) and rabbits/rebates (along the edge of a workpiece) can all be done with both a saw and a router. I use both methods, depending on things like convenience, workpiece size and orientation, etc., but have been gravitating more to the router method since I moved to a sliding table saw. Cross-cutting dados in panels, etc, is a snap using the router and a guide (or my Festool MFT). For long grooves, I still prefer the table saw, however, but there is no "one way is best" for this kind of work.

[George Bregar]

Like most, sometimes TS, sometimes router. I will add for wider cuts that need to be prefectly flat bottom, rooter is the best bet. Even quality stack sets will grove on multiple passes.

[Scott Thornton]

CMT Dado Blade on the table saw.

[glenn bradley]

I used to exclusively do dado's with a router. It is still my preferred method when the piece to cut is large. I have the SD508 and when appropriate feel the TS does a great job with minimal setup.

If you go with a router which I assume you will, make yourself something like this.

[Dave Cav]

Looks like I'm the only one that regularly uses a radial arm saw, sometimes with a dado blade, sometimes making multiple cuts with the regular blade if I'm only making a few. I am probably going to switch to the router method, though.

[Michael Schwartz]

Table saw is the fastest way, but not necessarily the most accurate and won't deliver the cleanest cut.

Cutting dados with a router takes some getting used to but you will find it is quite easy after some practice. Stopped dados are a breeze with a router and you can very easily adapt your dado setups to cut sliding, and tapered sliding dovetails.

Dados can be cut with a rotuer and a single strait edge clamped accross the work piece but this is a very diffficult operation.

The key is a either a shop made jig with parallel guides for the router base and a 90 degree fence, or a guide system like the EZ Smart or Fesstool.

[Dwain Lambrigger]

Not as easy as a table saw, but I found it was cheaper to by the bit than to invest in a dado blade. I will get the dado...eventually. For now, the router works really well.

[Alex Elias]

Nothing different that the other posters. I rather use a TS but router will do just fine. If the pieces are not to big on the router table. Also consider the bits, straight or spiral (they cut cleaner)