Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Dado Saw Blades | How to Use a Dado Stack
Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Dado Saw Blades | How to Use a Dado Stack
This is the first time I’ve used a dado stack on my table saw and OH MY have I been missing out! Dado stacks are AMAZING woodworking tools! I’ll share with you what I’ve learned my first time using the dado stack. I want to use the dado stack to cut dados, half laps, box joints, rabbets and tenons using my table saw. I would recommend you getting a dado stack for your table saw as well!
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*Tools used in This Build*
Freud Dado Stack: https://amzn.to/2RoYPPi
Better Quality Dado Stack: https://lddy.no/yp3v
Box Joint Only Blade: https://lddy.no/yp3w
Expensive Digital Caliper: https://amzn.to/3hwX4dw
Less Expensive Caliper: https://lddy.no/yp3s
T-Track: https://lddy.no/yp3y
MicroJig Push Block: https://lddy.no/yp40
*Videos To Watch Next*
Make Something Box Joint Video: https://youtu.be/nYlA0CRDn3k
Delta Cruzer Review: https://youtu.be/_0VB5Tz_AZE
Pocket Hole Jig Review: https://youtu.be/eW718F6LiKQ
Kreg 720 Pro Review: https://youtu.be/jCvc-aR_dE8
My Build PLANS here: https://www.731woodworks.com/store
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Taylor Tools for blades, bits and more: https://lddy.no/yoeb
Massca for Pocket Hole Jigs, Screws and Clamps: https://masscaproducts.com?aff=3
*Camera Equipment Used for Videos*
Canon M50 https://amzn.to/3en9EaQ
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0:00 Intro
0:42 Unboxing the Dado Stack
2:50 Cutting a Dado Using Dado Stack
3:47 Cutting Half Laps with a Dado Stack
4:02 Chirp Audio Books
5:45 Half Lap Results
6:05 Box Joints with a Dado Stack
6:56 Cutting Rabbet with a Dado Stack
7:35 Using a Dado Stack for Tenons
8:05 Dados in Plywood with a Dado Stack
9:23 Power Tip Time – Dado Insert
This video was sponsored by Chirp
#dadostack #woodworking #tablesaw
Why not build your own insert? Use the old one as a guide for a router and mark the holes. Doesn’t sound like a difficult job…
Can’t wait to see your first build using it.
I just found your channel last night. I am a rank amateur, and I’ve been eyeballing some Dado stacks on Amazon and at Lowe’s because I’ve seen other videos about how great they are. I liked your video best because you didn’t make me feel like an idiot for not knowing things. I laughed out loud when you went to black and white and mentioned the forbidden "PH" words…..(pocket holes). I’m waiting for my pocket hole jig to arrive early next week for my very first project. I also bought myself a beautiful commercial Delta table saw, a Dewalt 12-in 15 Amps Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Corded Miter Saw, a new grinder, a new drill press, various clamps, and a bunch of hardware. I have a 2,000 sq. ft. garage, so space isn’t an issue, and now I want to learn using the best tools I can afford.
After watching your video, I’m going to go ahead and put in an order for a Dado stack and give it a go. Experimenting is good but current lumber prices demand that I hone my skills quickly and not waste anything. You have inspired me by showing the simplicity and versatility of the Dado method of joinery and I think I’m hooked. Now I’ll need to justify to my wife why I spent a bunch more money on "toys." LOL
Thanks again! I definitely am subscribing and am in the process of perusing your other videos even as I type. Have an awesome weekend and thanks again!!
There’s nothing at all wrong with your box joints being a little proud. I actually intentionally do mine about a 32nd proud then plane them flush gives a nice perfect fit. A couple quick swipes with a good sharp hand plane and your in the money
I bought the Delta 36-725T2, largely based on how much you like the original, and I find that my dado stack does not cut a flat top each time. The arbor has a dip in the threading where the second blade would sit. Do you find that to be the case on your saw and, if so, how did you overcome it? Open to anyone else on here too!
Edit: I have the Freud 8" Super Dado stack – I tried it on a Delta Unisaw and it works just fine, so I know its not the blades
Now you’re cooking with gravy. Welcome to the addiction I call Dado stacks. Pocket holes won’t be the same for you again. Congrats Matt, on everything.
Enjoy your channel. Starting to get like watching network TV too many commercials
Far from what the title implies 👎
You – Matt – are the very best !!! Learn many things from you !! WOW – William
Can’t get enough of your shirts!! God bless you and your family!
I think I have the same saw. Where did you order your zero clearance plate? Just found your page and enjoying your vids. Thanks.
I have a question I’m looking to buy these blades but I only see them and 8 inches in my tablesaw is 12 inches will it still take the 8 inch?
Can it cut boards with up to 2 inch notches? I want to build a shelf with 2"x12" boards. Or would I just have to make 2 passes?
I’ve had that same dado set for over 15 years and have been actively using it for a month. That’s because the thought of using it scared the heck out of me.
The big concern was getting a zero-clearance insert (ZCI) for my table saw. There weren’t any.
After watching a video or two on the internet, I started making my own. I used 1/4" Baltic Birch and batched out around 10 of them (1/4" because that was the depth of my ZCI).
A game changer!. I was finally was able to build a bench for my deck that used A LOT OF DADOS . That had a 10 degree bevels on everything. The design said it was a ‘simple weekend project’. They lied and a lot of 2" x 6"s died. Their sacrifice was not in vain and I can now use a a dado set reasonably well.
Perfect 👍🏻, funny 😄 Thank you 😊
Ive been needing a set for a while now I love using my chisel but nothing beats exact cuts💪🏿
Hey Matt
New to your channel & i love it! Straight to the point without all the BS, great info & projects! Ive framed about 30 years now & never done much actual wood working. Im setting up a small shop area where my son (17) & i can do projects together, you’ve been a great inspiration. Thank you. PS: im 50 now & its always exciting to get new tools😁
You sold me on one. Going to buy the same set you have.
Watched and liked this video when it came out. Watched it this morning because: last week I picked up a Delta T2 ("stole" it for $341at Lowe’s sale), ordered some inserts (due in today), and yesterday morning my brother-in-law gifted me a Diablo dado stack! He’s been a woodworker for years longer than me and I get his "hand me downs" when he upgrades! 🙂
Where can i buy the blades i got a ryobi and i think i need 6 1/2 blades.
not for nothing… but you could still pocket hole that… HAHAHAHA
Those thick shims the black ones should always be used between the outside blades and chippers.
Excellent presentation!
Thank you for this very informative video on "Dado Stacks."
Dang Matt, only the 3rd one, God definitely blessed you! Dovetails came out amazing.
Matt – I am a huge fan of your videos and your encouragement. One question – I always thought that using a fence on a crosscut was a huge no-no, and I almost got injured when I was a newbie and I didn’t know better. However, – it seems that this rule doesn’t apply to dado cutting since you aren’t making through cuts and consequently you are holding down all parts of the workpiece so nothing to break free and be kicked back. Is this correct?
I just picked up my first one. I got the same brand in 6 in.
Can’t wait to use it.
Thanks for sharing.
As I do love that you are moving forward and helping us move forward with our skills I just hope you won’t stray to far from pocket holes.
The question I have is what would I use or need a half lap joint for?
Why do you edit like you’re a teenage video game player
I’m new to your channel and it is very educational and entertaining. Love that you listen to audiobooks. I happen to be a narrator. Thanks for supporting the industry.
Ur very good at this, why don’t you make ur own zero clearance. There’s a video out there and u can just trace the one u have. I think it’s on Steve Ramsey site. Looks good!
Been wanting dado blade for a long time, you’ve convinced me! Thanks for the video on the cross cut sled. Great job!
I bought the 6" version of this Freud set, mainly because I did not trust the larger 8" on a less than 3 HP table saw when hogging out wide cuts and because I’m only going to use it for shallower cuts (1/4-3/4" max. ever).
Get yourself a fractional inch dial caliper as well… no battery and they read down to 1/64s (even 1/128s if you read between the lines), on top of 1/100s. Super handy.
I bought that same dado set this week, first dado set I’ve ever had at 62yo! Following the directions I stacked the recommended pieces on the arbor and proceeded to cut a 1/2” dado. The result was that the 1/2” oak I was experimenting with wouldn’t quite fit in the groove! My interests include a home machine shop in which I use a digital caliper a lot, but never in woodworking! But I used it to measure the oak and the groove, the oak turning out .012” wider than the groove. Looking through the included shims I was happy to find a .012” shim (they’re all stamped in inch and metric if you look close!), and installed it between the outside blade and the first chipper. Suffice it to say that it fit like a glove!
You are the bro!
Couple tips:
1) Making your own throat plate is not difficult. The reason to is that if you do a thick dado then need to do a thin dado the gap between the throat plate and the outer blade may be uncomfortably wide. So having several may be handy. Or you could buy several of Etsy.
2) If you need the tight fit putting a slight chamfer on the edge you are inserting.
3) When gluing a tight fitting dado it’s okay put glue on the bottom of the dado. Realistically there are times when you need no glue at all depending on the kind of wood you use.
4) Measuring and charts are usually pretty good for setting up a dado stack but what I saw Stumpy Nubs do works the best for me. Stack the dado stack up next to the wood you are cutting the groove for. Push down hard on the center of the stack and make adjustment until the edge of then tooth matches the thickness of the board.
If it does not match perfectly when installed, which it has everytime for me, then it is super easy to micro adjust. This is way better than removing and installing spacer and test cutting over and over.
Thanks for the review
Can you cut at different angles using the dado stack? Just thinking of other potential applications… would also need a different table though 🤔
I bought one a year ago. It still brand new. I’m glad you’ve made the video. I need to make some drawers!
was unable to fit the full assembly with all three chippers on the shank of my dewalt…..need a long shank on your saw to fit the full dado width
Came for the dado, stayed because you are upping your woodworking game!
On my list of tools I need.
Do you still prefer the Delta miter saw to Dewalt? I noticed both of them sitting there in this video.
Maybe someone else mentioned this, but I would AVOID take wood back through a dado stack – even if the cut is perfect, the chance of getting kickback is pretty high if the wood shifts even a little bit….asking for trouble. Great video otherwise.
Come on man! I pay to not have ads and you’re getting paid to do em.
One other thing – the diameter of the arbor on your saw dictates the dado set that will work for your saw. My table saw has a 5/8" arbor, so I bought a dado set that matched it.
You could have easily modified the metal one with a file and a grinder. It is just a small notch you need to make to get er done.
Your excitement upon learning and accomplishing a new technique reminds me of myself LOL I was self-taught in a time when woodworking females were not very common, so when I figured out something new it always made me feel really giddy! Nothing better than woodworking is there?!
Do you leave the shims in the box? Zero explanation on what they are for and how to use.
Too many ads during video, distracting. No thanks.
How are you liking the Freud set? I’m thinking about getting a set.
So AVE did a comprehensive comparison video w/ cheap vs expensive calipers…..in a nutshell, digital calipers lose accuracy when the battery gets low….the Mitutoyo shuts itself off when it senses this not allowing you to make compromised measurements, whereas the cheap ones do not.