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There are many various sorts of cuts and joints, as any experienced woodworker knows. Among these various joint forms, the dado cut is one of the most important for good woodworking.
Dado Blade
At face value, a dado blade may appear to be straightforward. Essentially, it resembles a squared-off trench cut perpendicularly across the surface of the workpiece. However, any old mechanical tool cannot make an effective cut.
Instead, you frequently need to enlist the help of specialist woodworking tools like a dado blade.
It’s completely fine if you have never utilized one before. This article walks you through the fundamentals of this valuable tool. With this knowledge, you are able to go on to the following phase and discover how to wield a blade without any hesitation.
What Is a Dado Blade?
“Dado blades” are essentially one or more circular blades that you use on table saws to carve precise grooves.
There are two types of dado blades: wobble and stacked. These types of blades each have their distinct advantages when it boils down to carving dados neatly to fulfill your project’s specs.
It is worth mentioning that dado blades aren’t compatible with every type of table saw. This is due to the way they were built and the principal mode of functioning. Under no conditions should you use dado blades or work on tables that are not certified to work with it.
It is quite risky to do so. You might be able to get similar dado grooves with a dado bit and router instead.
Wobble Dado Blade
A stacked dado blade is unquestionably more likely to be found in a hobbyist or professional workshop. Several craftsmen, however, prefer to utilize a “wobble dado” or “wobble blade.”
This is a one-of-a-kind table saw dado blade with an individual cutting edge attached to the adjustable center. The center enables the entire blade to “wobble” in a controlled fashion while rotating, resulting in a dado of almost any sensible width.
However, it must be noted that this blade does not “wobble” in the way you might imagine. Rather, a wobble dado spins by swaying back and forth in an “S” shape.
Stacked Dado Blade
A stacked dado blade is also referred to as a “dado blade set.”
Since these “blades” are essentially a united group of separate blades that operate in unison to generate a neat dado cut, the second title is more appropriate for this type of dado blade. This quality distinguishes them from practically all other table saw blades, which use only a single cutting edge to make their cuts.
Imagine a sandwich made up of individual cutting components when thinking about a stacked dado set, as this is essentially what it is.
Regardless of how individual woodworkers alter the standard formula, these sandwiches nearly always begin and end with a single cutting blade. A craftsman would then put a chipper blade on top of that. These blades have two to four teeth and are used to clean debris from a dado cut as it is created.
How Do You Safely Use a Dado Blade?
Even when used in a properly suited table saw, it is generally recognized that a dado blade poses risks to the operator. As a result, it is critical to remember a few essential safety precautions before using dado blades for the first time:
- Adhere to standard table saw safety precautions: As always, adhere to all table saw safety measures. Using eye protection is a must, as is just using the dado blade when you’re ready to make the cut.
- Make use of push blocks to keep your fingers and hands away from the dado blade. Making push blocks that enable you to safely slide the piece in and out of position is one technique to do this.
- Damaged hardware should never be used. Dado blades (particularly sets) might become hazardous if they suddenly break structurally. As a result, you should inspect the blades on a regular basis for damage or wear. If any flaws are discovered, the blade must be discarded right away.
The Final Verdict
You should now have a decent idea of what dado blades are and how they work.
Furthermore, you should be aware of the various methods you can (and cannot) utilize this specialty table saw blades, particularly in terms of safety.
Ultimately, you might conclude that dado blades are not worth the bother. However, if you decide to use one, make sure you experiment on scrap materials before using them professionally in your workshop.
