What Is The Best Way to Make a Rabbet Joint | Woodworking

In this video I will show you three ways to make a woodworking rabbet joint. All methods have their advantages and disadvantages and can be used in many woodworking projects. Below I have listed the tools I used for making the rabbets. Please comment below if you have any questions.

First:
We will use a single bade to make a rabbet. This is ideal for someone who is on a budget. It is not ideal but it gets the job done. It however leaves small channels or grooves.

Second:
We will use a dado blade to make a rabbet. This is the preferred method and gives you a clean cut.

Third:
We will use a router and a router table to make a rabbet. This is the most expensive option and provides the cleanest cut.

#Rabbet #Joint #Howto

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[guyfisher]

I have some feedback for you. 1. Use push sticks and/or blocks, not worth losing limbs or fingers. 2. Use protective eyewear, the carbide blade tips can detach from the blade and shoot like a bullet to your face. 3. When pushing material through the router, you need to push it against the router bit rotation direction, that way you have control, otherwise the spinning router bit can dig/bite into the material and yank it through unintentionally which can also be dangerous. So in your video, you should have pushed the material from left to right. Even better and safer would be to recess the router bit between and next to the two fences, so the bit is behind the workpiece, then push the workpiece right to left, much safer.

[patrickwhelan]

Yes, definitely use the push sticks.. So many people are very

[judyl.]

You can also use a table saw to make one vertical pass and one horizontal pass.

[mikehurst]

I got a router and table at a garage sale for less then 10 bucks its cheap as hell but gets the job done. Thanks for this video great work!

[Lorddarthvader]

This was an awesome how to video. You simplified it pretty good.

[DEG]

We thank you for such an important video that is very easy to understand, I congratulate you.

[eclipse_t]

Great video for the novice! 👍
I usually use a straight router bit and a clamped fence - no router table required. It's simpler than a table saw w/rabbit blades and can be done in the field. If the material isn't wide enough for a plain (board) fence then a two-board 'jig'/fence is needed, one board the same thickness as your material.
If I'm at home I do have a (cheap but bolted on) router table that I use. But, again, I use a simple straight bit.
A side comment ... rabbit joints are good 'training' cuts for the router novice. If you do -slightly- burn the board, no one's going to see it. ;->

[RobF]

You mention the increased cost associated with the router method resulting from having to purchase a router table, etc. But you didn't mention the increased cost using the table saw, after all you need to purchase a table saw to begin with. Just trying to keep things apples to apples.

[andyedwards]

Hi Philip. Do you have any thoughts on the merits (or otherwise) of making rabbet joints using a Handheld router with the appropriate bit ? They come at a decent price point and a portable.

[DiegoRamirez-wyyz]

Thanks, Philip. I will be doing a rabbit joint for some drawers I'm making for my table saw stand. Wish me luck!

[kevochanner]

Can you use a router without a table and a straight end for a fence?

[partsdave]

What about using a Flat Top Blade on the table saw? Wouldn't that give better results for the single blade method?

[OnePotMeals]

You can also use a router without the router table. I prefer the router table but you can freehand the rabbet with a router

[gregsewell]

Another method would be to make one long cut down the side of the board at the depth and space you want the lip from the edge, then after making that cut, flip the board up on it's side edge, adjust the blade depth and make a cut all the way along the side edge, thus completing the rabbet cut. This method makes a very clean rabbet.

[hackbusters]

My dado blade is comprised of only two blades with 2 circular wedge shaped inner pieces which cause the blades to touch on one side (lets say the bottom just as an example) while the "upper" side is seperated by whatever width I set it to by turning the circular wedges.. The wedges have a high side and a low side and when the high sides come towards each other they cause the seperation between the blades to grow wider on one "side" while the other "side" remains together. This is necessary, as we need the cut to start small and grow outwards. Yes it is patented 😀

[IrishChippy]

The first method but saw on edge, then on face

[emc]

Great vid. How do you prevent any tear out with soft knotty pine?

[jgetscensored]

Oh, I thought my router table method was something I stumbled across. Didn’t realize that was the preferred way to do it. I don’t have the room for a table saw so I’ve learned how to do everything with my router table.

All you need in my opinion is a table saw, miter saw, and a jig saw.... and a sander of course.

Might not be the fastest way to get the job done, but it’s the most idiot proof and requires the least amount of equipment. I also find router tables safer than table saws.

[javerst]

For dado blade, do you simply put multiple blades together or do they have to be specific blades? Also, do you add as many blades as you need to get the desired width?

[wadebarnes]

What kind of blade do you use with the router to make them