Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

This is where we talk about the things we make to make our jobs easier.
Post Reply
User avatar
Nickp
Site Admin
Posts: 1374
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: Monroe County, PA
Preferred name: Nick
Has thanked: 533 times
Been thanked: 352 times

Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#1

Post by Nickp »

Here is my version of an Exact Width Dado Jig. I originally built this to route a set of closed stringers for stairs. It allows you to place the tread and it's wedge to adjust size and at the proper angle. Just set the jig on the stringer, adjust to the angle on the stringer with one of its edges, stand the tread and wedge in the slot, tighten and you're ready to go.

Set at 90 with a carpenter square, it works like a regular ole dado jig. Set it at any angle to make shoe shelves, grooves for CD holders, etc...

The router and bit I use is a dedicated trim router with 1/2" straight bit. The cutting edge of the bit and the square base on the router fits exactly for zero clearance cutting along the sides. I just run the router up and down a couple of times or more for widths greater than 1/2".
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Don't piss off old people. The older we get the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent !
User avatar
DaninVan
Registered User
Posts: 2371
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:12 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada
Has thanked: 302 times
Been thanked: 417 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#2

Post by DaninVan »

Don't the knobs get in the way?
User avatar
Nickp
Site Admin
Posts: 1374
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: Monroe County, PA
Preferred name: Nick
Has thanked: 533 times
Been thanked: 352 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#3

Post by Nickp »

DaninVan wrote: Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:50 pm Don't the knobs get in the way?
They haven't yet but I think only because I haven't put it across anything really wide..it's been okay for 12" boards so far.

The other option is to give the handles an extra snuggin' and if they're straight, the router goes right past them...

Forgot to mention, the nice thing about the 1/2" bit is it makes the perfect bullnose for treads for closed stringers...
Don't piss off old people. The older we get the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent !
User avatar
Nickp
Site Admin
Posts: 1374
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: Monroe County, PA
Preferred name: Nick
Has thanked: 533 times
Been thanked: 352 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#4

Post by Nickp »

Stick486 wrote: Sun Oct 18, 2020 7:02 pm top bearing mortise bit no doubt????

Yes...no bearing...router base guides it

my version...

exact width dado lig - TOP VIEW.jpgEXACT WIDTH DADO JIG - UNDERSIDE.jpgEXACT WIDTH DADO JIG - BUSHING.jpg
"Uncle...!"
Don't piss off old people. The older we get the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent !
User avatar
DaninVan
Registered User
Posts: 2371
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:12 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada
Has thanked: 302 times
Been thanked: 417 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#5

Post by DaninVan »

Apples and oranges. Nick's was specifically designed to cut repeatable angles. Not the same thing at all.
(You can pay me later, Nick. :) )
User avatar
Nickp
Site Admin
Posts: 1374
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: Monroe County, PA
Preferred name: Nick
Has thanked: 533 times
Been thanked: 352 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#6

Post by Nickp »

DaninVan wrote: Sun Oct 18, 2020 8:28 pm Apples and oranges. Nick's was specifically designed to cut repeatable angles. Not the same thing at all.
(You can pay me later, Nick. :) )
Thank you...check's in the mail...
Don't piss off old people. The older we get the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent !
Bushwhacker
Registered User
Posts: 826
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:53 pm
Location: Clute Texas
Has thanked: 208 times
Been thanked: 333 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#7

Post by Bushwhacker »

I need to cut a 3/4 inch deep V slot in 4 pieces of 1- 1/2 inch square 8 inch long boards in 3 precise places. I am thinking this gig would work very well for that. The bit has no bearing so the side guides would keep it on track.
I am liking this idea.
Sort of like the board flattening device I made.

Bushwhacker
User avatar
Nickp
Site Admin
Posts: 1374
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: Monroe County, PA
Preferred name: Nick
Has thanked: 533 times
Been thanked: 352 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#8

Post by Nickp »

Bushwhacker wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 7:25 am I need to cut a 3/4 inch deep V slot in 4 pieces of 1- 1/2 inch square 8 inch long boards in 3 precise places. I am thinking this gig would work very well for that. The bit has no bearing so the side guides would keep it on track.
I am liking this idea.
Sort of like the board flattening device I made.

Bushwhacker
If I'm picturing right what you're doing, I would say yes...since the boards you're grooving are small (length), you will probably need to put your piece in a vice and let the jig "hang". I made a smaller one for shorter pieces that I also use for mortises and closed shutters...it's a wee-bit different...
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Don't piss off old people. The older we get the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent !
Bushwhacker
Registered User
Posts: 826
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:53 pm
Location: Clute Texas
Has thanked: 208 times
Been thanked: 333 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#9

Post by Bushwhacker »

From your pictures , it looks like you made the grooves the length of the boards. Mine need to be across the boards and they need to line up with one another. They will be fitted with a square 3/4 by 3/4 to become the slides for the drawers.
If that makes sense??

Bushwhacker (David)
User avatar
Nickp
Site Admin
Posts: 1374
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:31 pm
Location: Monroe County, PA
Preferred name: Nick
Has thanked: 533 times
Been thanked: 352 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#10

Post by Nickp »

Bushwhacker wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:18 am From your pictures , it looks like you made the grooves the length of the boards. Mine need to be across the boards and they need to line up with one another. They will be fitted with a square 3/4 by 3/4 to become the slides for the drawers.
If that makes sense??

Bushwhacker (David)
Then the larger jig will be the best one but you will need something to hold your work pieces together if you're going to do them all at one time...clamp, I would think...then clamp the pieces to the jig at one end...
Don't piss off old people. The older we get the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent !
Bushwhacker
Registered User
Posts: 826
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:53 pm
Location: Clute Texas
Has thanked: 208 times
Been thanked: 333 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#11

Post by Bushwhacker »

Nickp wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:23 am
Bushwhacker wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:18 am From your pictures , it looks like you made the grooves the length of the boards. Mine need to be across the boards and they need to line up with one another. They will be fitted with a square 3/4 by 3/4 to become the slides for the drawers.
If that makes sense??

Bushwhacker (David)
Then the larger jig will be the best one but you will need something to hold your work pieces together if you're going to do them all at one time...clamp, I would think...then clamp the pieces to the jig at one end...
My plan was to clamp them together and cut the grooves one row at a time. The drawer slides will have to fit into those grooves level with one another and there are 4 drawers, so they will have to line up evenly. I think the gig shown , the nonadjustable will work nicely. I run some sacrificial pieces through first to be sure they line up. So far I believe it will work. Thanks for the help.

Bushwhacker
Bushwhacker
Registered User
Posts: 826
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:53 pm
Location: Clute Texas
Has thanked: 208 times
Been thanked: 333 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#12

Post by Bushwhacker »

Stick486 wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 12:01 pm would something like this work???

Idea for Inletting Jig.jpg
Stick, I have looked at that picture and am still no closer to figuring out what it is, let alone how it would work.
But, it is a cool looking gig.

Bushwhacker
Last edited by Bushwhacker on Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bushwhacker
Registered User
Posts: 826
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:53 pm
Location: Clute Texas
Has thanked: 208 times
Been thanked: 333 times

Re: Exact Width Dado/Groove Jig...

#13

Post by Bushwhacker »

Now I see it. There are 4 sets of wing nuts, one for each perpendicular and it will open as large or as long as the length of the perpendiculars.

Bushwhacker
Post Reply