Dado Planes

Re: Dado Planes

Todd Stock

>B&G covers the trades...the #46 is most cost effective if you don't mind the setup each time, while the #39 is a better bet if just one dado width is needed.

Re: Dado Planes

Mick Foley

>B & G does describe the general differences and trade offs, and the 39 vs 46 question has been discussed here recenctly - that's what lead me down the path towards the 46.

However, wooden dado (modern or antique) vs Stanley has not been discussed. B&G touches on it, but I am interested in some "rubber meets the road" (or maybe "blade meets the wood") opinions.

Does anyone feel that the wooden planes are the way to go? Did Stanley really nail it with their dado planes?

Thanks!

Mick

Re: Dado Planes

Todd Stock

>Got a few...don't use them as much as the 39's, but they do a nice job if all the parts are matched and the setup is good. No difference in result, although the woodies don't require a glove on your left hand.

Only issue with the woodies is movement - some are stable for years at a time, but some are not.

Re: Dado Planes

David Barnett

>After talking about #39 v. wooden with Patrick many years back - well before the Oldtools list, in fact - he convinced me to give the wooden dado planes a go. I ended up with a full range of widths, all for not much money, and I use most of them, especially in sizes 5/8" and smaller. I love these planes. Once you get them tuned up, they're about the easiest woodies to use. I did try #39s a few times, and see how they could be somewhat uncomfortable, as mentioned in B&G.

Re: Dado Planes

Todd Stock

>Patrick def has some opinions, such as dislike of the 39's and the #6. B&G is a good place to start, but with a large shaker of salt.

Patrick and others

Jack Guzman from Maine

>True. One thing I've learned is that everyone has an opinion,and not necessarily the same. You can't take other people's word for it.You have to try them out yourself.(Except for obvious dogs that most opinions agree on.)One more reason why all truly knowledgeable woodworkers must have all the tools they can get their hands on.---Crackerjack

A vote for the #46

jim_reed@marietta

>The Stanley #46 is one of the best working planes I have ever used. The only advantage a skew blade woodie set has is shortened set up time. The #46 more than makes up for this time with versatility. The fence gives you a tool that will square up edges and raise panels. If you have ever used a skew bladed plane, you understand that it is the best way to make (or clean up) dados. If you have ever USED a #46, you understand what a great tool it really is.

Re: Dado in name alone

Mitchell

>It's worth mentioning at this point that perfectly functioning dadoes can be made without using any dado planes. A good multipurpose dado cutter is the #71 or equivalent routerplane.

A sharp, singlebevel knife, straight edge, chisel and backsaw can go pretty far on their own.

True, but

jim_reed@marietta

>While the #71 or any other router plane can be used to clean up a dado, there are some issues which make is a less than optimum tool. First is that the blade is forced to cut crossgrain wood head on. That makes the router hard to control and makes the cut a little rough. Second is that the router will follow the side of the board for depth. If the board is cupped, the cup will be cut into the dado. True dado planes have skew blades and make a smoother cut when cutting cross grain. They also have a sole which makes the bottom of the dado flat in a single plane. The resulting dado will better conform to the edge of the board which is inserted into it.

Re: A vote for the #46

Todd Stock

>I agree! Don't buy the 39's! They bite!

Todd (who still needs a 1/2" and 5/8" size and does not need to drive the prices up further than they already are...)