OF 1400 Set up for Dado Cut with Guide Rails

[KevinW]

Just unpaccked my 1400.  What is the best practice for setting up a dado cut on the 1400 using the guide rails. Specifically, should I draw a line and try to line up the router or draw a line along the rail as I do with the plung saw and determine the offset to the center of the router.  Also, I plan on using the micro adjustment to obtain the final width of the dado which will be for plywood, so a center line will not be the center point after the final cut.

Thanks

 

[builderbob]

Hi Kevin,

Usually when I do a dado in the same fashion as you're describing, I get my first cut figured out by testing an off cut, making my cut and then figuring the offset to my guiderail.  Then I make a mark on all of my boards for where the guiderail should line up and voila!  Hope this helps!

Bob

 

[RONWEN]

At 9:37 in this Youtube video Paul Marcel shows how to route perfect dado cuts using a Kerfmaker.  If you don't have a Kerfmaker BCT runs them every so often.

Bridge City KM-1 Kerfmaker User's Guide

 

[semenza]

Hmmmm, the easiest way I have found is to use a centerline to line the router up on (the router has a center mark on the base) with a parallel line for the guide rail, but.................  I think you will need to just do a careful measured layout and work it out from there.  However even though the micro adjusted dado size would be offset using a centerline, maybe it would still work for you depending on how critical the dado placement is. Or perhaps go with the centerline and just figure the offset will  consistently be to one side, and figure that into your dado placement.

Seth

 

[Michael Kellough]

The centerline method is easiest if you only need to make one pass.

Seems like the KM-1 would be a good compliment to the centerline method (starting at the appropriate off-set from centerline) when the groove requires more than one pass.

Ron, Paul, I watched the BCT video for the KM-1 and at the end was a note saying that the kerf and stock maximums are 1/2". Is that right?

 

[RONWEN]

The centerline method is easiest if you only need to make one pass.

Seems like the KM-1 would be a good compliment to the centerline method (starting at the appropriate off-set from centerline) when the groove requires more than one pass.

Ron, Paul, I watched the BCT video for the KM-1 and at the end was a note saying that the kerf and stock maximums are 1/2". Is that right?

The cutter or kerf limit is 1/2".
KM-1 KerfMaker by Bridge City Tool Works

The Woodline DadoMax works similar.
An Exclusive Look at Woodline's DadoMax Routing Jig - AWFS Fair 2009

 

[JeromeM]

The centerline method is easiest if you only need to make one pass.

Seems like the KM-1 would be a good compliment to the centerline method (starting at the appropriate off-set from centerline) when the groove requires more than one pass.

Ron, Paul, I watched the BCT video for the KM-1 and at the end was a note saying that the kerf and stock maximums are 1/2". Is that right?

From bridge City
Maximum kerf 1/2"
Maximum stock 2"

 

[whitesys]

Just measured my KM-1 and those dimensions are correct.

 

[allen r austin]

i do all my dado work from the edge, a line i never lose i went on my mft and went over 20 mm from the edge of the rail and put a 23/32 bit into the table 1/8 down
i now have a 23/32 hole in my table 20 mm inside edge of rail to inside edge of dado.
This now gives me a reference point to set it up by. Now i just mark the edge of my dado move 20 mm clamp it down and run it.
Works for me.
Allen