Loading…
4
I finally got clean dados using just a router and a straight edge
Most people say you need a dado stack or a fancy jig for this, but I found careful setup and slow passes worked perfectly. It felt good to keep it simple and still get great results.
7 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In7 Comments
ninat558mo ago
Isn't it great when the simple method works just as well? I've had good results with my router by just going slow and making sure the straight edge is clamped down tight. It saves so much time not having to set up the table saw for dados.
6
robinson.reese8mo ago
Totally, going slow with the router is the real trick. I've messed up dados by rushing and getting tear out, so now I do two lighter passes instead of one deep cut. Those extra clamps you mentioned are a lifesaver, because if that straight edge slips even a little, the whole piece is off. Honestly, for a lot of jobs, the router is just faster and cleaner than wrestling sheet goods on the table saw.
5
dylan1248mo ago
Right, @ninat55, you can't skip those clamps.
4
lilywilliams8mo ago
6
markrivera8mo ago
Yeah, scoring the line first with a knife really helped me get those clean edges with the router too.
-1
jason_chen8mo ago
It's hilarious how the woodworking world tries to sell us a new gadget for every cut. We get so caught up in buying the latest thing that we forget the basics already work just fine. Your post proves that a steady hand and some patience beat a dado stack most days. All that talk about clamps and slow passes isn't just chatter, it's the real secret sauce. I've wasted more time setting up complex jigs than I'd care to admit, only to get worse results. Keep preaching the simple life, it saves money and sanity.
2