How to Cross Cut a Dado With a Table Saw

Use a table saw with a miter gauge to cross-cut dados.

Cross-cut dados are square or rectangular channels cut across the grain of wood. The dado aids in the assembly of your project by aligning and fitting over an opposing piece of wood. A table saw with a dado blade and a miter gauge is used to cut them. If your saw is set up right, you can cross-cut dados cleanly and efficiently. You can cut dados up to one inch wide with adjustable dado blades.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable dado blade
• Table saw miter gauge
• Board, 3/4-inch by 4-inch by 24-inch

Instructions

1. Set your dado blade to 1/2 inch wide. Raise the height of the blade to 1/2 inch from the top of the highest tooth, to the point where the blade emerges from the saw table top.

2. Set the table saw fence at 3/4 inch from the blade. Place the miter gauge in the miter gauge slot behind the blade. Set the miter gauge at 90 degrees. The miter gauge is the "T" shaped gauge that came with your saw. It has degrees marked on top with a long runner that fits into the grooves that run across the top of your saw.

3. Place the board against the miter gauge and slide the end over to touch the fence. Turn on the saw.

4. Push the miter gauge forward with both hands. Your right thumb should be directly behind the miter gauge handle pushing. Your fingers on your right hand should be over the top of the gauge, holding the board down against the saw table top.

5. Push the wood over the saw blade slowly. If it begins to chatter, slow down until it moves over the blade and out the front smoothly. Let go after the wood has cleared the blade. Turn off the saw. You should have a 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch by 4-inch cross-cut dado.

Tips & Warnings

• These measurements represent an example. You can set the dado blade to cut across wood anywhere you like.

• Some adjustable dado blades have up to seven individual blades. Stack them on the table saw shaft (arbor) one by one to set your desired dado thickness.

• Always wear safety glasses and hang on tight when cutting dados. If the wood begins to buck or kick, slow down even more. If the wood burns, have your dado blade sharpened.