Determining Dado Joint Dimensions

[Mike Randall]

I'm about to work on my first project with dado joints. Is there a formula or guidelines to determine the dimensions for the dado and rabbet joints?

[Brian Holcombe]

I typically will not remove more than 1/3 thickness in depth.

[Von Bickley]

If I am working with 3/4" material. I try to have the dados about 1/4".

[Mike Cutler]

Dados are about a third the thickness of the material the dado is cut into. Harder, denser material can be less.

Rabbetts are somewhat subjective based on design. The "classic" would be half the thickness. In other words the rabbett for 4/4, or 3/4" would be 3/8"x3/8". Again though, this is only the beginning, and probably how most folks learn to cut their first rabbetts.

[Mike Randall]

Dados are about a third the thickness of the material the dado is cut into. Harder, denser material can be less.

Rabbetts are somewhat subjective based on design. The "classic" would be half the thickness. In other words the rabbett for 4/4, or 3/4" would be 3/8"x3/8". Again though, this is only the beginning, and probably how most folks learn to cut their first rabbetts.

Thanks Mike, just what I needed. I'm making a dutch shuffleboard, and I'll have a combination of dados and rabbetts.

-Mike

[Don Jarvie]

I make all my dados 3/8 in 3/4 wood including all rabbits.

[George Bokros]

I make all my dados 3/8 in 3/4 wood including all rabbits.

This is what I normally do. I am working on a project now where I decided to try 1/4" deep dado.

[Derek Cohen]

For a 3/4" wide board, I would make a 1/2" wide dado. The shoulders would be 1/8" either side. As Brian mentioned, 1/4" deep is sufficient. You do not want to remove strength from the main section by cutting too deeply.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Ron Citerone]

For a 3/4" wide board, I would make a 1/2" wide dado. The shoulders would be 1/8" either side. As Brian mentioned, 1/4" deep is sufficient. You do not want to remove strength from the main section by cutting too deeply.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I mostly went 3/8 deep for 3/4 material, but what Derek just said makes perfect sense...........I think I will start going 1/4 deep from now on.

[George Bokros]

I mostly went 3/8 deep for 3/4 material, but what Derek just said makes perfect sense...........I think I will start going 1/4 deep from now on.

I too agree that this makes sense.

Learned a process improvement today. Thanks Derek and all of SMC.