Router bit needed for 3/4" Oak

[John]

I need to cut datos into 3/4" oak plywood and found that my router bit is too big.  I'd purchased the 3/4"  at Home Depot and it measures .695 thickness.  I thought my 23/32" bit would work, but there's slop in the fit.  Is there another bit out there that would make the fit better? 

 

[Ron davey]

I have always been a big fan of using stacked dado blades for shelving, because most come with paper shims and you can get an almost perfect fit for each shelf. I know stacked dado blades are a little time consuming setting up ,and you should
always take a scrap piece of wood to set your width and depth, then test fit the piece over the final piece that is going to be used. Definately glue the dado'd groove and clamp until dry. I know this is probably "old school" methods and that is one reason I purchased the Kreg system, to speed up the process. I only made one small project using the Kreg jig and it came out pretty good. Some learning curves using it, but if speed is your sole motivating factor to building any project, don't bother with a stacked dado blade system, time will not be on your side, but the finished project willbe beautiful. After being out of the woodworking hobby for quite some time, I decided to get back into it ( retirement) , and did some research on new methods of building furniture and types of joinery now available........BINGO, the Kreg system!

[Ron davey]

Rockler seems to have alot of great woodworking products. I have never used any of them yet though. Was thinking of purchasing the Rockler cookies for about $12.00 for 4 of them. I live about 80 miles from the nearest Rockler store in Milwaukee, WI. and can't justify driving 160 miles to get them. If I were to order them on-line, the shipping cost is almost as much as the cookies themselves. Does anyone know if there is an outlet that carries Rockler products? Thanks for any suggestions.

[John]

Hi Ron,

Sign up on the internet for a Rockler catalog and email sales. Sometimes they offer free shipping specials or 20% off of a single item. Also, Amazon sometimes offer free shipping on orders over $25. I get these specials each month and got some good deals.

I own the Rockler Cookies and just started to use them. They have been very useful in the shop. Before the cookies, I've used the foam padding that they use under carpeting. A trick I've seen a long time ago.

John

Ron davey said:

Rockler seems to have alot of great woodworking products. I have never used any of them yet though. Was thinking of purchasing the Rockler cookies for about $12.00 for 4 of them. I live about 80 miles from the nearest Rockler store in Milwaukee, WI. and can't justify driving 160 miles to get them. If I were to order them on-line, the shipping cost is almost as much as the cookies themselves. Does anyone know if there is an outlet that carries Rockler products? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Larry Barnett]

I've used part of a area rug pad that prevents a rug from sliding on a hard surface floor, it works pretty good

John said:

Hi Ron,

Sign up on the internet for a Rockler catalog and email sales. Sometimes they offer free shipping specials or 20% off of a single item. Also, Amazon sometimes offer free shipping on orders over $25. I get these specials each month and got some good deals.

I own the Rockler Cookies and just started to use them. They have been very useful in the shop. Before the cookies, I've used the foam padding that they use under carpeting. A trick I've seen a long time ago.

John

Ron davey said:

Rockler seems to have alot of great woodworking products. I have never used any of them yet though. Was thinking of purchasing the Rockler cookies for about $12.00 for 4 of them. I live about 80 miles from the nearest Rockler store in Milwaukee, WI. and can't justify driving 160 miles to get them. If I were to order them on-line, the shipping cost is almost as much as the cookies themselves. Does anyone know if there is an outlet that carries Rockler products? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Ron davey]

Thanks for the heads-up on some options. I remember reading somewhere that you can acutally use "hocky Pucks" and glue on sandpaper or some other no skid material and make your own. Does that sound logical or do I sound like a real cheap son-of-a-gun? lol..........I will try your idea though. Thanks

John said:

Hi Ron,

Sign up on the internet for a Rockler catalog and email sales. Sometimes they offer free shipping specials or 20% off of a single item. Also, Amazon sometimes offer free shipping on orders over $25. I get these specials each month and got some good deals.

I own the Rockler Cookies and just started to use them. They have been very useful in the shop. Before the cookies, I've used the foam padding that they use under carpeting. A trick I've seen a long time ago.

John

Ron davey said:

Rockler seems to have alot of great woodworking products. I have never used any of them yet though. Was thinking of purchasing the Rockler cookies for about $12.00 for 4 of them. I live about 80 miles from the nearest Rockler store in Milwaukee, WI. and can't justify driving 160 miles to get them. If I were to order them on-line, the shipping cost is almost as much as the cookies themselves. Does anyone know if there is an outlet that carries Rockler products? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Joseph Scharle]

I don't use any specials bits with this jig or it's smaller brother. A 1/2" bit cuts the dado so tight that the other piece needs to be pressed in.

[Joseph Scharle]

Phillip, I've been using this jig for 6-8 years and it does require that the router base plate not be changed after the initial sizing cut. However, I use it so much, I stoned the backside of the base (I don't like flat sided bases) so that I can make the up and back passes without turning the router (keeps the vac hose & cord from wrapping). This one does not use any 'guides' as the bit actually cuts the fence to size on the initial setup. Afterward, you just lay the fence on the line, tighten the main clamp, squeeze the piece (or sample) between the fences, tighten the fence and cut. Shopnotes used to have a video on this jig and may still do. And in fact, if you were to start with a round base (I did so for my second jig), you wouldn't need to make any adjustments to the base/bit as the initial cut is self-aligning.

Phillip said:

A word of caution. With this jig ( actually all jigs) you must make sure you bit is centered. It requires a special bit guide from the manufacturer. I had a jig like this and did not know that you can not twist, turn or rotate the router while making the cut. I would move the router with a slight turning motion due to the reach. My router was not centered since I did not know about that. The width of the dado was not equal or even. I just presumed that the bit was in the center and I was completely unaware that it is not. I was making cuts along the straight edge and still coming out crooked. Then I learned that the base plate and the bit must be centered to each other. At first I thought it was just the router, but both my Bosch and Triton routers are the same problem. The Bosch plunge has one flat side which helps a bit. The centering bit and tool is worth the investment. IMO.
Phil

Joseph Scharle said:

I don't use any specials bits with this jig or it's smaller brother. A 1/2" bit cuts the dado so tight that the other piece needs to be pressed in.

[Kerry Drake]

Woodline sells the whole range of bits for undersized plywood. Here is the link to the 3/4" one. Its like $11.00.