Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
"undersized" Plywood bits?
JL
How many of y'all have undersized plywood bits?
I have always cut dados for plywood with my dado blade and my table saw.
I have a project which involves cutting dados and rabbets in several long pieces of somewhat wide plywood.
Not something I would care to do on my table saw.
Therefore I can cut the dados w/ a 3/4" router bit and have a little "slop" - or I can buy an undersized plywood bit (or set).
Thoughts?
Exact size adjustable dado jig......
roger lance
This is a must make/have jig for making dados with a router......
Go to YouTube and watch the video by The Wood Whisper on the making of this jig......he does a good job on this video.
Re: "undersized" Plywood bits?
Jack Guzman from Maine
When I do that I use a smaller router bit than the width I need and build a jig with two rails to guide the router. The width between the guide rails determines the dado width.
Re: Exact size adjustable dado jig......
JL
I was just going to use my clamp guides rather than build a jig. I can set them further apart and use a smaller bit for the dados. Sneaking up on the rabbets would be less easy but it could be done.
Re: "undersized" Plywood bits?
jessecloud
I think the time for undersized plywood bits has gone. No fault of the bits, but the plywood sold today, even at good lumber yards, is too inconsistent
A different method
David Yoho
For your dado joints - instead of cutting 3/4" wide dadoes for 3/4" plywood, you can use either your 1/2" or 3/8" straight router bit to cut your groove. Then rabbet the end of the piece going into the dado so it fits well. No need for undersize bits and the fit is exact, not to mention a strong joint.
substanital additional benefit
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
The method described with provide a shoulder if the assemble is a shelf in a case, for example. This shoulder provides substantial stability to the structure. I have built many shelf units the way David describes and they are ridgid even without backs.