Cutting dados on multiple sheets with TS55

Well I took your various recommendations and I made the most sweetest Dado's with my router you would ever want! I checked out the videos on you tube and I really liked Mark Sanguelo's (sp?) Jig. Eventually I think I will make that one. I went to a couple other videos of his and saw one on sharpening bits. At the end he said, remember every time you sharpen a bit you take off about a mm. I got a brainstorm and said why spend a week or so building a jig when I might be able to just sharpen it down. And I said thanks Mark and went out And got the blue red and green DMT credit card sharpening cards. Mark said just the red and green, but I needed to hog a little off so I got the blue also. I stroked the coarse about 30 times per side, then same for the other two. My first test cut was tighter but still had play. So I was encouraged. I had to hit it two more times each for about 20 strokes. When I finished the last test cut it was a good fit but it didn't tug on the board. I decided to stop while I was ahead. When I made my first final cut for use, it was absolutely perfect. Like a kiss, it just tugged on the board a little. I really was surprised, maybe my test board just got a little worn. I only made one mistake in all 6 Dado's and since my cabinets are two side by side I figured don't repIr, just flip it over and turn it upside down. So I have 6 Perfect dados. Thank you for all your suggestions. You all are the best help group I've had in woodworking.
Tips? I wouldn't attempt this unless you know the rules to sharpening blades. If you don't hold it flat or if you don't sharpen both sides of the bit the same you could end up with a disaster. But if you have learned the right way to do it, go for it. The shanks on my bit set are all 1/2 inch, so I won't be able to do the smaller blades, but they will be perfect for the jig Mark has. I will post my other unconventional methods for this task in a new post.
 
The next hurdle I had to get over was how to make a dado cut counter height in a pantry side. I was told the clamping rails were supposed to stay at the end of the MFT. I couldn't find an accurate way to hold it down and make multiple identical cuts so I took the rails from my second table and put them at the other end so I could adjust them. I needed to be able to adjust for a second dado above the counter height in one pantry. I had to account for the guides and the bit being a good 19 inches away at the farthest spread. So I got it all figured out and cut counter shelves for both and one solid upper shelf for the other. It worked out really well. I had some issues with the rails, but I made them perpendicular to the panel's and measured well and it came out great. The rails want to pop up off the front so you need to always check for stability before you cut, and check for square every time you have to lift the rail.
Maybe that's the way it was supposed to be done but I never found any examples. It would be nice if they had a magnet hold for the rail on the open side, and even on the hinge side to keep the rail up when you need it.
 
To Reno, funny you should mention a 17.5(?) Bit, I haven't seen that one, but when I honed my undersized bit down that is the size of my dado cut when I measured with my calipers. Thanks for the help. By then I had my bits. I figured if I sharpened it down I wouldn't be losing anything, no matter what it is still a straight bit as long as my work is good. So now I have a custom 17.5mm bit.
 
Dogberryjr said:
Eoj said:
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]    Available in 120 volt for the USA market , works very good !!! Sorry about the color , to old to wait for the Festool to arrive in the states .
  Wow, what a great tool!  [Checks price, passes out.]

Cost is usually the argument against these tools. The quality is good though.
 
There you go!

Cherilm said:
To Reno, funny you should mention a 17.5(?) Bit, I haven't seen that one, but when I honed my undersized bit down that is the size of my dado cut when I measured with my calipers. Thanks for the help. By then I had my bits. I figured if I sharpened it down I wouldn't be losing anything, no matter what it is still a straight bit as long as my work is good. So now I have a custom 17.5mm bit.
 
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