kapex height allignment

[lym]

i noticed that while trying to cut a dado, the depth has a difference of about 25 thousands of an inch (the front of the cut being deeper).  is this within acceptable tolerance or do i have a problem?

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Hi there Lym! To get a consistent depth when trenching, you'll need to shim the work away from the saw fence. I most often just use a scrap piece of 2x4. Then you just set your depth, and slide the blade all the way through the trench. I hope this helps!!  8)

 

[Warrior]

i noticed that while trying to cut a dado, the depth has a difference of about 25 thousands of an inch (the front of the cut being deeper).  is this within acceptable tolerance or do i have a problem?

I would have to say that IMO that would be an acceptable tolerance for cutting a dado with a sliding mitersaw. 25/1000" is about just between 1/64 and 1/32".  Try altering your technique. Maybe you are pulling down too hard at the beginning of the cut? If you are pulling too hard you may be flexing the rails slightly to get that 25/1000 of extra depth.

Eiji

 

[b_m_hart]

Also, are you pushing down extra hard on the wood that you're cutting, or possibly have it braced in such a way that it's slightly elevated in the front?  I've "over-braced" and wondered why I had cuts that were off...

 

[lym]

thanks for the replies.  i was hoping that someone knew of an undocumented adjustment.  fyi, i did use a 2" piece to keep the work forward of the fence and was not pushing down excessively on the saw.  the tolerance is acceptable for doing rough in work but i guess my expectations were too much for the work that i was doing, making a toy for my grandson.  i was trying to cut a "v" shaped dado on a piece of wood 4" wide.

thanks again.

 

[rmoursund]

A solution to level the bottom of a dado or rabbit would be to use a Stanley 71 rabbit plane.  There are numerous sources for these planes:  EBay, Lie Nielsen, and Lee Valley Tools to name a few.  This method would be great for quick, smaller jobs.

For larger jobs (as well as small jobs) you could use a router bit that would uses the sides of the dado or rabbit to control the range of the bit.  These bits come in various diameters with cutters that exactly match the diameter of the bit.  Select a bit that will fit inside the dado, set the correct depth and have at it.  This is very accurate and quick, and results in a very flat bottom, including the corners.

For my work, I usually always clean up any dado or rabbit with this type of router bit just to get a very clean and flat bottom.