Smooth Dado Grooves

[Scott C. Williams]

Can someone explain how to get a smooth dado bottom goove cross cutting red oak on the table saw. I am making drawers and want the bottoms smooth for a tight, clean fit. Thanks

[Chris Padilla]

What brand dado blade are you using? A router will give flat bottoms.

[Eric Haycraft]

Just about any 180 plus dollar dado blade will produce a smooth bottom as long as your arbor is straight and not undersized. If using a cheaper blade, you often have to come in with a plane, router, or chisel and flatten it out.

[Bruce Benjamin]

I highly recommend the Infinity, "Dadonator" set. It's a top quality dado set that consistently scores at the top of comparison reviews. It leaves a beautiful dado or rabbet.

Bruce

[glenn bradley]

SD508 is what I have good luck with but, prefer the router for red oak (backer board at exit point).

[Sean Troy]

SD508 is what I have good luck with but, prefer the router for red oak (backer board at exit point).

Glen, could you explain the use of the backer board? Thanks, Seanhttp://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon5.gif

[Jim Becker]

Glen, could you explain the use of the backer board?

This is a good technique to use for many cutting operations, both with the TS and with a router. Basically, you're putting another piece of wood at the exit point to insure you don't splinter or otherwise bugger up the exit at the end or side of the board you are working on. The "backer board" is just sacrificial scrap the same thickness as the workpiece.

[Scott C. Williams]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. The dado set that I use is a 6" Delta carbide on a Delta Unisaw. May need to use the router for this operation.

[Sean Troy]

This is a good technique to use for many cutting operations, both with the TS and with a router. Basically, you're putting another piece of wood at the exit point to insure you don't splinter or otherwise bugger up the exit at the end or side of the board you are working on. The "backer board" is just sacrificial scrap the same thickness as the workpiece.

Thanks Jim, There is always something good to learn here. Sean