Tip #82
How to Make Two Common Woodworking Joints
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1. Dado And Rabbet Joint

Description:
A dado and rebbet joint is usually made with two pieces of equal thickness and width. A tongue in the end of one piece, formed by a rabbet having depth and width equal to one half stock thickness, exactly fits into a dado cut in the second piece. The outside edge of the dado is one half stock thickness from the end of the stock.

Fig. 1 Click image for larger view.

Use:
Dado and rabbet joints are extensively used in cabinetmaking. When cut for a snug fit and adequately glued, the joint is strong. Use for drawer and box corners is common.

Operations:
Warning: When cutting dadoes and rabbets, it is necessary to remove the upper guard. Whenever you remove the upper saw guard, keep the lower guard in place and work with extreme caution.

1. Prepare a piece of stock 3/4" x 3" x 10".

2. Crosscut stock into two pieces of equal length.

3. Mark pieces "A" and "B". Note: Since standard 1" stock does not always measure exactly 3/4", cutting the dado and rabbet to 3/8" measurements will not necessarily be 1/2 the stock thickness. However, it will make a completely satisfactory joint.

4. Butt the end of "B" across end of "A" to form a right angle and square a line on edge of "A" indicating exact width of stock.

5. Mark a second line on edge of "A" exactly 3/8" away.

6. Set saw blade height at 3/8" and lock carriage with blade close to left edge of table slot.

7. Set fence so the outer saw blade tooth is on line farthest from fence.

Fig. 2 Click image for larger view.

8. Advance quill feed until inner saw blade tooth is exactly on other line. Lock quill.

Fig. 3 Click image for larger view.

9. Set depth dial at "0" and lock.

10. Release quill lock, retract quill and relock.

11. Set miter gauge in left hand slot, place workpiece "A" against it, butted against fence.

Fig. 4 Click image for larger view.

12. Turn on saw and make cut, removing stock at end of cut and returning miter gauge.

13. Advance quill 1/8" and repeat cut, continuing until depth stop is reached.

Fig. 5 Click image for larger view.

14. You now have a dado 3/8" x 3/8".

Fig. 6 Click image for larger view.

15. Set fence 3/8" from inner saw blade tooth.

16. Advance quill until outer saw blade tooth is 3/8" from fence and look quill.

17. Place stock "B" against miter gauge with end butted against fence.

18. Turn on saw and make cut.

Fig. 7 Click image for larger view.

19. Unlock quill, retract and relock.

20. Place stock on end against fence, cut end down with the saw kerf toward blade.

Fig. 8 Click image for larger view.

21. Turn on saw and make cut, holding firmly down on table and against fence.

Fig. 9 Click image for larger view.

22. You now have an end rabbet leaving a tongue 3/8" x 3/8". Assemble joint.

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