Thread: Dado's using Triton WC / Router table

Overhead router mode on the Workcentre 2000 with the sliding router plate attachment.
By far the easiest and quickest in my opinion, especially if you need to rout more than a few dadoes

Are you not able to use a stacked dado set with A triton workcentre? Our plywood here is never really 3/4 inch it is always a bit less and a non standard size router bit is very expensive. I always get more accuracy using a stack dado set with shims to get a real tight fit.

Mark

nope

The principal weakness in the Triton, in my opinion.

Not being able to use a stacked dado is a limitation of the circular saw under the Triton, not the Triton itself (unless I am mistaken. I have never seen a circular saw with this ability.)

The principle weakness of the Triton (IMHO) is not being able to tilt the blade, or the non-cast table, or the overall lack of ridgidity...

But anyway, back to the topic, no you can't put a stacked dado in the Triton. Easiest way is will be with a router. Either in crosscut/sled mode, or ignore the Triton and just use a guide.

John,
You are correct of course. The problem is that the Triton relies upon the circular saw. Triton tell me that even if a dado blade could be mounted in the saw, they do not recommend it as the workcentre would not tolerate the vibration that a dado blade creates.

Plus you would need a new table top since the blade slot is way too narrow for a dado.

I've never used a dado cutter. They seem very popular in the US. Very hard to buy them here. Are they as great as everyone makes out? They are basically 2 saws with a stack of chippers in between. How smooth a cut to they make (ie is the base of the dado smooth, or does it come out grooved)?

Just ask Norm Abrams - he uses them every Saturday morning on the Lifestyle channel.

Actually, depending on the quality of the dado blades, they do an excellent job of cutting a perfectly flat grooved channel. I can't think of any other method that produces a better dado.

They are not that difficult to find in Australia. Carba-Tech devotes and entire page (56) to this product in their current catalogue, but they are not cheap!:mad:

I use the router to cut perfect flat bottomed grooves all the time.
You can buy some nice wide bits for them for about $40-$50

I'd imagine a saw blade/dado set would stay sharp for a fair bit longer though before needing sharpening, but your not paying through the roof for the dado set I spose.

I'm with Dean on using the Router. Changing the Blade over to a Dado set and then back again takes way more time than putting a bit in the Router (Table or Handheld) and routing the dado's. As for getting the fit nice and tight, just do the initial cuts with an undersize bit and then do a final pass to wide the slot. Basically the same as the Dado Blade process (cut, shim, cut, etc) but for lots cheaper.

But that's not how you cut using a dado blade.

First, you determine the width of the dado required, then you adjust the width of the dado blade set by adding or removing chippers, and shims as required.

If you have the type of dado blade used by Norm Abrams, the width of the two outer cutting blades is adjusted by the use of a concentic cam that increases/decreases with a turn of the adjustable cam.

In either case, you add a cutting blade, the number of chippers required (this you can calculate from a setting guide provided by the blade maker, eventually experience tells you what is needed) add the shims or adjust the cam (again follow the guide or your experience) and finish with the second cutting blade. A test cut on a piece of scrap is a good idea during the learning phase to make sure the width of the dado is perfect, but with experience you will get it right the first time.

If you haven't used one, it's hard to imagine just how easy and quick this is. I guess it depends on the ease of accessing the table saw's arbor. At any rate, this cannot be accomplished using a Triton Workcentre. And since this is a Triton forum , I agree - use the Triton Router.

I have a dado blade set that can be attached to the very old Shopsmith. Its great. Works as detailed above and results in a very clean accurate cut. From memory the set that I have will allow you to adjust between 5mm-30 or 40mm. Its just a matter of adding chippers between the two outer blades.
Sorry I do not have a Triton

I am totally convinced that a stacked dado head cutter will produce better and more repeatable results than a router, hence I have decided that the Triton falls short of what I need and I intend to buy a decent table saw. That's not to say that the Triton does not have its place - I think it does, but I realise now that it does not suit my personal requirements.
As already pointed out by others, they are not that hard to find. Carbatec, Mik, Jesada all have them, but they do make a dent in the pocket