In this video, we discuss how to properly stack a dado set for use on a table saw, ensuring precision and safety for woodworking projects. Whether you're new to using dado sets or looking to improve your technique, this tutorial covers all the essential steps.
This video is an excellent resource for anyone looking to enhance their understanding and technique with dado sets, ensuring safer, more precise woodworking.
Please see the step-by-step instructions below if you'd like to follow along.
- Set the Outer Blades:
- Take the two outer blades of your dado set.
- Place them together (presumably onto the saw arbor).
- Important: Ensure the teeth are offset. The teeth of one blade should sit in the gullets (spaces) of the other.
- Crucial: The teeth of the two outer blades must not touch each other. This prevents movement and damage when the stack is tightened.
- Insert Chippers (If Using):
- Place the desired number of chippers between the two outer blades.
- Important: Ensure the chipper teeth are offset from the teeth of the outer blades and any adjacent chippers.
- Crucial: Again, make sure no teeth touch each other within the stack.
- Add Shims (If Using for Fine Adjustment):
- Place shims as needed between the blades and chippers to achieve the precise cut width.
- Offset the shims: Do not place multiple shims right next to each other in the stack; distribute them.
- For Magnetic Shims: These will stick directly to the blades. Place them where needed, ensuring they are offset from each other if using multiples.
- For Non-Magnetic Shims: You can apply a small drop of WD-40 to the shim to help it temporarily stick to a blade during assembly.
- Prepare for Measurement (Assembly Tip):
- When using the inner chippers, align the outer teeth (if possible) together before final placement to make it easier to measure.
- Assemble the stack (outers, chippers, shims) in the desired configuration.
- Measure the Stack:
- Measure the total width across the outside edges/teeth of the two outer blades to confirm your desired cut width before fully tightening on the arbor, making sure the blades are tight together before measuring. Make any changes if necessary.
- Final Check:
- Before tightening the arbor nut, double-check that all teeth (outers and chippers) are properly offset and not touching each other.
(Remember to always follow your specific dado set's manual and your table saw's safety guidelines when installing and using a dado stack.)
We trust you will find this video to be beneficial. Please feel free to reach out to us HERE if you have any questions on how to stack your dado blades.