How to Make a Dado Cut With a Table Saw

Dado cuts generally require the use of a special throat plate and dado blade. Dado blades come in two varieties: the "stacked" blade and the "wobble" blade. Although the wobble blade is less expensive, the stacked version tends to be more predictable and therefore a better choice. Getting a dado cut precisely the right width can be tricky, so be prepared for some trial-and-error at first.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Table saw
• Wood
• Dado blade
• Dado throat plate

1. Unplug your saw and remove the throat plate and the blade guard assembly. Take out the saw blade as well.

2. Install the dado blade and the dado throat plate. Add or remove chippers on the blade as necessary for the width of cut you will be making.

3. Plug the saw back in.

4. Practice making your cut on a trial piece of wood. Since getting the right width of cut can be difficult with a dado blade, you will almost certainly need to make adjustments to get the width correct. It's better to find this out with a test piece of wood than with the real thing.

5. Turn on the saw. Place your workpiece onto the blade at the point where you need the cut.

6. Move your workpiece back and forth along the blade until the cut is the width you need. Use a featherboard, pushblock or pushstick as needed to ensure your safety as you complete the cut.

7. Switch off the saw, unplug it and reassemble the standard blade and throat plate.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect to spend some time trying to find the precise combination of blade, chippers and fence alignment to produce the width of cut you want.
• Record the stack composition for the width of cut you made once you find the right combination. This will save you from having to find the correct combination each time.
• Do not get in the habit of being careless with a dado blade due to the fact that it is sunken. A dado blade can still cause serious injury, so take all the precautions with it that you would with a standard blade.