Sawdust on the Floor

In today’s mail was a catalog from a router bit supplier. I have done business with these people before, and have been very happy with the bits I have ordered, so I am not knocking the company. But there was a new bit on sale that was advertised as a “Dado Clean out Bit”. My first impression was this seems like a good idea, but then I really started to think about it. Using this bit would mean double work, so what’s the benefit.

Typically, when a woodworker cuts a dado, the cut is made on the table saw using a dado set. The cut is normally rough, and the bottom of the cut is normally not flat. Since the normal table saw blade is replaced with the Dado Blade, and the table saw top is used as you normally would, all of the plus’s and minus’s of using a table saw are still present.

So now you have the dado cut, and you have to clean it up. You can turn to a hand sander and chisel. Or as this catalog suggests, you can use the “Dado Clean out Bit”. The problem I have with this is really simple. If you have to use the router to clean out the dado you cut on the table saw, Why not just use the router to cut the dado in the first place. Why do two operations to accomplish one task?

I have a Dado Blade; it’s in the bottom of my tool box. And that’s where it will stay. I prefer to cut all of my dado’s using a router, a straight bit and an adjustable straight edge. Here is my logic, I clamp a straight edge to my work, where I want the dado, turn on the router and cut it, job done. If I want to route a Dado in two opposing pieces, such as sides of cabinets, I clamp them together, and route the dado across both pieces at the same time. If I happen to be a little off on my measurement, no problem since the dado would be off in both pieces.

As I have said before woodworkers are individuals, so those comfortable with the dado blade will probably continue to use it, and that’s cool. But to have to use a router to clean it up seems a lot like double duty. And I don’t know about you but I have enough work already.

Related posts:

1. Woodworking Techniques and Tips – Be Careful of What you Sand