DADO JIGS.

[michael evans]

Anyone made a dado jig before fixed or adjustable? Thinking of having a bash at one ,will come in handy .Its one of those jobs never got round too .What would be the best materials to use ?Also what would be the most convenient and handy size in terms of length ?I was thinking about 24" long .Ideas gratefully received.

[Ken Darga]

Mick,

I've made fixed and adjustable.

My choice is solid maple or baltic birch plywood.

 

I’ve made mine to facilitate machining 24" wide stock, as well as 12” wide stock.

For wider stock, I generally just use a long straight edge.

For smaller stock, a router table is my choice.

 

A variety of jigs can be made for various router bits and guide bushing.

Label or mark each jig for the intended router, bit and guide bushing.

 

A separate jig is handy for machining the edge of plywood, using an “up” spiral bit and guide bushing. 

(Make a rough cut with a circular saw, or the like, and finish with the router for an optimal edge).

 

A low profile straight edge, that features a power tool guide kit and optional base, is a very useful tool.  The base can be machined to accommodate your router. 

Works great for dado’s and rabbet  joinery, as well as many other routing tasks.

I find this an invaluable tool and don’t leave home without it.

http://www.rockler.com/52-to-104-low-profile-straight-edge-clamp-sy...

http://go.rockler.com/tech/RTD10000794AB.pdf

[Brad]

hey michael, the wood whisperer has a video on how to make one.  

[Ken Darga]

adjustable style

[Ken Darga]

fixed style

[Ken Darga]

OPTION:  spiral bit and guide bushing to suit.

[michael evans]

Thanks ken will give it a go ,as you say a very useful jig too have in the armoury ,merry Christmas ken and family.

[michael evans]

Thanks brad did give it a gander /look found it very useful. Its one of those jobs been meaning to do forever ,same for a tapering jig .Merry Christmas brad and family from the u.k.
 
Brad said:

hey michael, the wood whisperer has a video on how to make one.  

[jock sloan]

micheal,

              i found a video on you tube all about making a jig for dadoes. sometimes my methods for finding things are shall we say not conventional, anyway if you go on you tube and type in "router joinery basics dadoes" at the top of the list should be a video from woodworker's journal that will help you no end.

          jock

[michael evans]

On the case jock thanks.

[Ken Darga]

Mick,

There's a simple shop-made jig, shown in the photo under step 3.

http://www.kregtool.com/prodImages/nk7514_1.pdf

I find it very useful for many routing tasks.

It can be disassembled and reused many times over.

[Ken Darga]

Perfect dadoes every time!

 Easy-to-build jig lets you cut snug-fitting dadoes exactly where you want them.

Simply adjust the jig to form an opening the same width of the dado and then clamp to your workpiece. Rout dadoes 1/2" to 1-1/2" wide in workpieces up to 25" across. This woodworking plan appeared inShopNotes magazine No. 20.

[Rita B.]

Now see!  This is exactly why I like this site :)   Thanks for starting the discussion Mick and Ken, the photos gives me the visual I need for understanding.   Thanks much!

(placing on the "to do" list at Spring thaw)