If you liked this you will love Rob talking all about the pros and cons of a Dado joint here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rIShx9qDo6jJctY.html

The plywood trick for getting a straight hand cut is golden!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you found it useful

Super informative and helpful, cheers for posting!

Another detailed video Professor Cos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

You bet

Excellent. Thanks for the demo.

Just in time for my new project! The hand cut method is my go to for small projects, and I really like your plywood saw guide approach! Thank you!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

You bet

Love the 3 methods Rob 👌 tips for each one, to make each one work really well. Thank you. Jamie

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

Rob, as always I enjoyed this lesson. You make it look sooo easy!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

It is...you can do it

Prefect timing in the shop gluing up a couple of cherry table tops for nightstands waiting for glue to dry great way to pass some time learning how to hand cut dado's thanks Rob,Jake and Luther

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

We knew you needed a new video to watch

I really like Rob's method of patently teaching everything he does. I really like that hand saw I'm building one just like it! Thanks guys!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Very cool!

Another GREAT video, thanks Rob! Please keep them coming!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

you keep watching and we willkeep filming

Brilliant method with the blocks and saw...genius!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, i hope it works for you

Thank you once again for exceptional teaching.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

Superlative demonstration and instruction.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and commenting

Thanks for sharing those tips and the make!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

You bet

This is excellent content and very valuable tips. Great info!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it is useful for you

You got all the cool tools! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I would love to have about six months of taking your classes!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

We can arrange that!

OMG, this was awesome! Thanks. Hoping I have or can get what I need for a 40 yr old craftsman table saw. Very helpful, have plans for a bookcase. Subscribed!!

Thanks!!! I preferthe the hand method. Thanks for showing you hand method, accurate and clean!!!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

I just received a new German wooden router plane and will use this for my dadoes. Thanks for the clear instruction.

Thanks Rob, just what I was looking for as I don't have any power tools!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful

Wow ! hand cut dado's like the first project in wood shop !

Oh, so well explained !!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks

Great tips Rob, been a Carpenter & Joiner for 50 years & still learning, more than one way to skin a rabbit !!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Yup, always is. I learn everyday

You just changed the way that I will cut fret slots on guitars from now to eternity. Thanks!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

The hand cut way?

@GregsGarage

3 жыл бұрын

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Yes... I've used a square and fret saw... I can't stand the miter guides with bearings. The "wood sandwich" is the perfect solution!

I just bought a Dado stack yesterday, because I broke my router base on Saturday, while using my edge guide - because I used it wrong - user error. I have a Bosch router, and the Bosch edge guide is amazing with it - very accurate and easy to use, once you figure it out, I cut a 3/4" dado exactly where I wanted, using my 1/2" compression bit, because the dial allows tiny adjustments, or large adjustments. I have a vacuum attachment that catches virtually all of the sawdust produced in a cut like this. But anyway, I like the router/edge guide because it can be used for some cuts that might be hard to make on a table saw, but it is limited in how far it can travel from the edge. Love the dado (making my own zero clearance insert for it). Dados are definitely my go to method because of speed of setup, and easy repeatability, though with the Bosch edge guide, it is very easy to set up once you know what you're doing. To be fair, with the edge guide setup, you still have to clamp the workpiece to the table, but I'm about to build my own (modified version of the) Cosman workbench so it will be nice to be able to use bench dogs, instead of clamping a piece and having it hang out in mid air (which leads me to another point, the edge guide can't be used on really small pieces if you don't have a way to clamp that piece to a workbench). Thanks for keeping up with the videos, informative as always!

Very good presentation. I used my router to cut dado joints for a number of years, but the disadvantages of that method are many: it’s noisy, it’s incredibly dusty, and unless you set your jigs and router up very precisely and work your router very carefully, you can ruin your workpiece in a heartbeat. Cutting your dadoes by hand is far more satisfying, and a lot less risky. I really like the 2-block method for keeping your saw plate plumb, here. You can also make a single guide block with magnets in it to keep your saw in the vertical... this is the method I’ve used when cutting my sliding dovetails. Thanks for the video, Rob.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and commenting

2nd. Good start as well.. headed to the shop

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Make some shavings

Excellent tutorial. I'm a table saw guy but I like all three methods. Nice tip about the tape when doing the router dado. I thought the fit on that last dado was a bit tight though. wood is going to swell a bit when the glue is applied. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

OMG! That hand cut method would be FANTASTIC for cutting sliding dovetails!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Wait till we make that video

@JarlSeamus

3 жыл бұрын

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Stop. There's a limit to how excited I can get before I hurt myself... LOL Keep it up, brother, you are killing it!

@johnschillo4452

3 жыл бұрын

You'll need a sliding dovetail plane and a step saw.

@kenstewart687

3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Wish I could find a good router plane.

Yet another great video. Thank you. The router can run weld if you don't take great care with the set up.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Very true!

Thank you!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for commenting

Hello Rob. Thank you for sharing the knowledge 🙏. Inspiring as always. In the spirit of sharing,... I started off with almost no tools at all. I did earn for a good router after a while and it was the only way for me to make dados. What I used to do to avoid having tearouts is to go in with a thin, sharp blade and just pre-cut the sides of the wood at where the router bit enters and exits. It worked our very well. Hope it helps someone as well. Thanks again!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Great tip

Gmornin up there in the wilds of canadia!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Howdy back at you

Great to watch as ever. For novices it might be worth mentioning disconnecting the electric tools before working on them, as I notice that you didn't with the table saw or the router. I'm sure you usually do on your videos so I was surprised. Excellent content as ever!

great video. Thxs for demonstrating the hand cut method, ill definitely be using that technique from now on. although i missed why you added a strip of blue take to the plywood for the second cut. Was that just to make the joint a bit tighter?

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, you got it

What a fantastic video! I love the router plane!!!! Do you sell them? As always you are specific and clear with your instructions, so easy to follow. I am going to watch the video as I try these methods myself. Thanks you are the best.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

No we do not sell router planes. We recommend the LN router plane (either one of them as they make two very similiar models

I prefer western saws, but for dados and sliding dovetail rails and shelves I use a japanese kataba convex cross cut saw. It cuts easier than the western saws, less teeth are engaged and the pull stroke is more precise. Cheers Rob, stay safe.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting

Rob, what kind of wood is that? It's beautiful!

That was a great presentation on the dado stack but you forgot one major aspect of the chore itself ! You didn't make sure your saw was unplugged ! A very , very important aspect of the job !!

Mr. Cosman how can you cut a dado on the end of a work piece for draws or a cabinet etc, what kind of planehaven't heard of, thank you for

Groovy!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Well said

This is a great comparison. I am curious about 1 thing, each method takes time to set up the equipment, make the cut and tear down the equipment and put it away. Approximately how long does it take to do each mthod? I am a hobbiest who likes the quite as you but some days / projects allow me more time than others. I know there are many factors including skill level grade of tool… just trying to get a relative handle.

ohhh Rob. Why didn't I think of that. I've always just used one piece of wood for an exact location and straight line when sawing. That second piece guarantees plumb as well. Something I have trouble with. Excellent. Thanks again.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

You bet

Do you ever use a combination/plough plane for cutting dados?

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

I dont find i need plow planes except for draw bottom grooves. But yes you can cut a dado with a plow plane or with a dado plane

Rob, to get a snug fit, what is the ideal dado width in comparison to the mating piece? Is the dado width greater by 0.004"?

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

make the dado .oo3 or .004 larger than the board going into it

Rob, a couple of suggested "improvements", if I may: (1) I make 95% of dados with a saw, chisel and router plane since they are predominantly stopped dados. When using a router plane, it is best to set up the final depth first, then fix this using the depth stop. This removes the fear of overstepping the desired depth. (2) An alternative to a back saw, particularly for stopped dados, is a Japanese azebiki saw. This has a rounded tooth line, similar to a stair saw, and allows one to start a cut inside the board. (3) An alternative to using all handsaws is a knifed line, undercut with a chisel to depth, and then chiselled and router planed out. (4) When using a power router, do not run the flat side along a fence. This is difficult to control, and one runs the risk of the router coming off the fence and creating a jagged dado. Better to use the rounded side of the router. It then can only rotate against the fence, and this will not affect the straightness of the dado, per se. Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Regards from Perth (Australia), Derek Cohen.

@derekcohen1000

3 жыл бұрын

Oh, one more addition, for through dados: another method to consider is a dado plane, or similar. HNT Gordon make superb dado planes, the Stanley #45, #46 are vintage combination planes which can be set up to do a fine job, and a modern version is the Veritas Combination Plane.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and commenting

I abandoned trying to cut dados by hand after having poor results using Paul Sellers' method (knifing the line, then chopping the waste with a chisel instead of sawing). No disrespect to Paul, he's a hand tool woodworking OG on youtube and got me into woodworking in the first place, but man... plywood and painters tape. It might be the greatest idea in the history of thought.

I like the third way best

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Me too

Where does one get that type of wood?

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

I got mine from Exotic Woods in Toronto

first? great way to start the day

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Two gold stars

good ending of the day over here in Au

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Good day mate

Interesting. Handcut dado undersized by the thickness of the tape. But not table-saw- or router-cut dados. Just the nature of handcut? Very clever “jig” for hand cutting walls. Most useful tip: 3/4” router bit undersized. I’m going to check my bits - probably before use - to see if they wear. Thanks for the video!

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

We did basically the same with the tape on the router. With table saw you have to adjust the stack

Make a L or T shape jig for router, leave the short end pass the bit, cut it so you know where the bit is gonna cut, then align that edge of where you want to cut dado. The hand cut one is the most versatile. You can fit any thickness board withour relying on blade width or bit size. With a side rabbet plane, it can be fine tuned down to the thickness of a shaving.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Yes I prefer the hand tool method

Sometimes as his sawdust piles up, I find myself blowing on my phone to clear it up… doesn’t work too well though haha!

Neat way to handsaw

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Try it

I do like hand cut method, but my only concern would be, with my skill level with a chisel, with the reverse cut, the chisel would slip and end up in my chest.

I would add one more. A Stanley 39. They are probably faster than a router table and safer and quieter than a table saw.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

There are a lot more methods. I am showing the 3 I use

How about a hand saw with depth gauges. Million dollar idea. I'll split the money with you rob.

The table saw might be faster if the dado stack were already installed and the table saw doesn't have to be pulled out like in my overcrowded shop. Then again, with most of my woodworking primarily involving building wooden boats, hand tools tend to see the most use.

It is unclear if dado heads are legal in Europe. In any case they are considered unsafe and the table saws available do not have an arbour long enough to fit one. I cut lots of dados with a router and a shop made square/jig. Mostly stopped dados and I do a light establishing cut which minimises splintering. Even better is a little shop made device with two knife blades which runs in the same router jig, which results in no splintering at all. Enjoyable vid, thanks for posting.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Why is a dado stack considered so much more unsafe than a standard blade?

@gav2759

3 жыл бұрын

@@RobCosmanWoodworking I don't see that in operation there is a difference. The issue is more the machine's capability to handle them. That dado set must be three times the weight of a saw blade, so there would be a question mark over a braking system designed to arrest a blade alone. In any case, there is no tradition of dado cutters. Who knows, post brexit, things might change in the UK but somehow I doubt it. An alternative that is available, is a wobble saw. I use them on my crosscut saw and spindle moulder. They make a good enough job and are are infinitely variable.

Isn’t double fencing a ‘not to do’?

Hand metod was pure brilliant. I didn't really get the reason why you used the blue tape

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

To accommodate for the set on the saw. The plywood was referencing off of the saw plate, allowing the teeth to slide .002” under it. The blue tape measures .004” thus a perfect fitting dado.

@danthechippie4439

3 жыл бұрын

@@RobCosmanWoodworking genius genius, I get it now, thanks Rob. The tip on cutting the front edge off and gluing it back on for a stopped dado also a great idea. Would you recommend ripping it of by hand or table saw?

Sorry to be so touchy Rob but you did the same thing with your electric router !! Its so imperative that you MAKE SURE THE ELECTRIC TOOL OR BATTERY OPERATED TOOL IS UNPLUGGED before tooling it up !! The new woodworker must understand this Rob !!!

Thanks for putting in the book marks so I could skip directly to the hand cut part :)

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Luther does that

@bigkiv47

3 жыл бұрын

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Have found myself over the years to more and more seek out total hand tool videos and projects. Have all the power tools just getting older makes one value the quieter moments in woodworking.... calms the mind :)

Given I'm not a professional woodworker I'm not really qualified to comment, though I would propose that the router + dado jig is a good option for dados in pieces that are physically unwieldly to push across the dado stack on a tablesaw? Just generally in the spirit of sometimes you move the tool across the work, and sometimes you move the work across the tool. Also, for the European audience (of which I am part), dado blades aren't really an option (in fact I *think* they're illegal). At the very least, most saws don't have an arbor long enough to support one safely.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

Yes you are correct, sometime you cannot use or its not smart to use the table saw. Whats up with dado stacks in europe?

@neilbarnwell

3 жыл бұрын

@@RobCosmanWoodworking From what I've read, because you can't use a splitter or riving knife to match the wider "blade", plus the bigger surface area of the leading area of the blade, there's too much risk of kickback. I've never tried, but the theory is plausible.

@philshock3805

3 жыл бұрын

@@neilbarnwell Or another case of government overreach in matters they know nothing about. :) You're not making through cuts with a dado stack - not only is a riving knife or splitter impossible to use, there's absolutely no reason for them. Kickback, as it's typically thought of can be a problem when an OFFCUT gets wedged between the blade and fence - the blade catches the wood and flings it back at you. But again, there is no offcut when using a dado stack - you're simply hogging out material. Your use of the term, "kickback" for a dado stack isn't quite the same - you're referring to the additional forces pushing against the wood as it's being ran through the cut because of the wider cutting surface vs a single blade. Rob mentioned this and while there is more force pushing back on the wood, it's easily managed with proper control. I consider a dado cut actually safer than a through cut with a single blade because the blade is only exposed on entry and exit points. With a single-blade through cut, the blade is exposed the entire time.

@neilbarnwell

3 жыл бұрын

@@philshock3805 Sorry I know exactly what "kickback" is, so no lecture necessary. If you twisted the piece against the fence, offcut or not, the edge nearest the fence will ride up the blade on the teeth and it'll be thrown at you. If you don't believe me, try it. Tbh a riving knife that was aligned with the blade nearest the fence would probably suffice, but no-one makes them like that. Of course that only works because it doesn't stick up higher than the blade (which is why a splitter really wouldn't work - as you suggest - for non-through-cuts).

The hand tool method was quicker and so much more pleasant than the router.

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

It sure is

Use a plough plane

@RobCosmanWoodworking

3 жыл бұрын

I donot prefer them but that method works too

OMGEE...I got squeemish watching you push your stock into the table saw without a push stick. Yikes!!! Please please please be careful, not matter how expert you are.