The best dados- Table Saw vs. Router?

Let's end this dabate once and for all! Three ways to do it, lots of tips along the way...
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[negotiableaffections]

For those who feel disappointed when they get vlog and not project, I say 'good luck learning by trial and error!'. If my classroom experiences [back in the day] had been equipped with little 10 minute 'cut-aways' to your vlogs, I'd be a smarter man today! Thanks Jim for taking the time, it is never in vain.

[ajhieb]

I've used my router table, router and edge-guide, dado stack on a my table saw, and dado stack on my radial arm saw. Rarely am I ever just making a dado cut and that's it, so usually, the project needs determine which tool I use. Since I can do dados with almost any tool, I usually just use whichever tool isn't already setup for something else on the project. (or sometimes, whichever tool doesn't have a ton of stuff piled up on it)

[adrianrositas]

I’m a beginner woodworker and I can’t stress enough how helpful your videos are. Thank you!

[avremlrapoport]

One other pro for the router: if you're making a dado that doesn't go to the end of the board, you cannot use a table saw because the blade is round, so it won't get the edge of the dado flat (as a router would)
Love your vids! Really educational!

[kdcyyz]

Liked for the correct use of the technical term "cattywampus".

[markmcgillicutty]

Okay, so I'm just getting caught up on the content here... it takes a while to watch every single video on the ol' interweb... :) But an option not covered is to add a router table to the end of your table saw. Best of both worlds! Expand your table saw working surface, have the full table available for cutting dados with either the dado stack or router bit, have access to the larger, more stable table saw fence if you want it or the smaller router table fence for smaller pieces. And having the router hanging under the table saw means less floorspace is required to get a super stable setup. Who really wants one of those dinky benchtop router tables when you can have the whole mass of the table saw working for you?

Love this channel. Hate that I've got years of content to catch up on.... lol

[pfarabee]

I just used my Bora NGX for the first time the other day.. and wow.. just have to say.. YES! For anyone considering one, you definitely want the NGX, not the WTX! With the NGX, The circular saw blade is very close to the straight edge, and it comes with a small clear plastic strip that affixes to the bottom. You cut the strip with the saw after affixing it, and now you have a perfectly aligned visual guide to where your blade edge will contact the surface. Just line up the edge of the strip on your line (after considering which side of the line your blade should land on, of course), clamp it down and zooom.

One thing to note, though. The clamps that hold the saw onto the sled can sometimes slip a bit, especially if the blade gets bound in a piece (because you didn't properly support what you thought would be a "small enough" offcut, like I did). So, be sure to check for proper saw alignment in the sled BEFORE EACH CUT.. not before you start using it, but before every cut, just look to be sure it is still secure and straight.

[subungulate]

You didn't end the debate. You highlighted the best applications for both. Neither is best in all situations. Still, an informative video and good reasons why I need to have more tools.

[TheSkiggly]

How is it possible that every video you do is always packed with useful information. It's never a waste of my time to click your link. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[cidercreekranch]

I use all three methods, The one I use depends on how quantity, size of the dado and size of the panels. If I'm using the tablesaw then I add a vertical feather board to help keep the panel flat against the table.

[pausaniasofithaca]

What a concise discussion in the first four minutes! Very helpful to follow you through all those considerations with such clarity, thanks very much.

[kennethlerman]

That's a nice analysis. One way to make the router version with multiple passes would be to use an adjustable parallel. (Google that if you aren't familiar with them.) After making the first cut, clamp your block against the fence. Then set your adjustable parallel to the desired offset and use it instead of your custom wood block.

If you don't have an adjustable parallel, consider making some out of hardwood.

Ken

[coreygrua]

This is the Harvard University of woodworking. Thanks Professor Hamilton.

[QuarionGalanodel]

Another situation where the plunge router is the a really good option is when you need to make a bunch of dados that are all parallel and the same distance apart. I once saw another woodworker make a new plate for his router that had a piece of key-stock attached to the underside. That allowed him to use each dado that he cut in the piece to act as a guide for the next one as the key-stock would slide through the previous dado and hold the router in place.

[lisakelley]

This was great! I'm a novice woodworker. I'm planning a set of pantry shelves, so the very specific conditions and circumstances you defined as being preferred with each of the various cutting options was extremely helpful! Thanks so much!

[steveharmon]

All your videos are awesome. You are clear and concise and THANK YOU for not including background music to compete with your verbal instruction. So many DIY videos get edited with usually crappy music and often it's difficult to hear the instruction. I learned so so much last night when I watched your video on safety both with the table saw and grinder. I think your delivery is perfect and like I said concise. If I miss something I can go back and watch it again. You cover so much material and instruction quite quickly and as a newbie I have to pay close attention to terms used to take it all in. I'm a retired guy now and I'm building my tool collection. My dado stack comes tomorrow. It's a good thing I have an understanding wife. I had no idea just how expensive this little hobby can be. People like yourself make it all fun, SAFE and a great retirement diversion. Keep up the good work. I'll be watching with all my stumpy nubs intact..

[anstef]

I ran into this conundrum a few weeks ago when I prepared to repair my wooden fence and privacy screens. I had planned on using a router for 2x4 grooves but could not find the router I was interested in buying due to Covid tools and supplies scarcity! I ended up in buying a Bosch table saw and a nice dado stack with very good reviews (seems similar to the one you are using). Grooving 2x4s went very well - much better than I expected, with a back table support and my son acting as an outfeed puller. I thank you for all the safety tips as I was a table saw newbie and applied a lot of the recent table saw safety advice I got from YouTube. Thank you for your clips and lessons!!

[cyrilnorrie]

Thanks for another info-packed demonstration. You share more knowledge in a shorter time period than anyone I’ve seen. Please keep it up!😊

[robertwhite]

Table saw all the way in my book! Your example of stacking the dado blades on your table and matching the thickness of the stock....is genius. Amazing how simple this is...instead of wasting time trial and error 3-4 x to get it right! Great videos!

[joekanicki]

Great comparison! Personally I like the Festool track and router combo for large panels and bookcases since I invested in the saw for large panels, the step to the router was not a big one and works very smooth. The vac makes this a very clean process as well. It can be a bit fussy but each method requires good test cuts, and I don’t find this any more time consuming than any other process.