Skip to content
Fine Woodworking
Main Menu
Subscribe
GET THE MAGAZINE & MORE
Magazine Cover
  • Save 69% off the cover price
  • Or, get everything with UNLIMITED, including 40+ years of the online archive.
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • Projects & Plans
  • How-To
  • Shop Tips
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Magazine
  • Video Workshops
  • Members
  • Forum
  • Gallery
  • Blogs
  • More
    • Log In
    • Join
    Fine Woodworking Main Menu Subscribe
    How-To

    How to cut stopped dadoes on the tablesaw

    Mike Pekovich uses a crosscut sled and stopblocks to cut stopped dadoes safely.

    Author Headshot By Michael Pekovich Oct 01, 2020

    Stopped dadoes on the tablesaw

    Pekovich uses a crosscut sled for the stopped dadoes in the case sides. In order to register all parts against the same side stop, he cuts half the dadoes so the stopped end is at the front of the sled and the other half so the stopped end is at the back.

    Cut stopped at the front

    It’s better to stop short. You’ll chisel the end of the dado square later, so it’s OK to stop before hitting the layout line. Over-shooting it a little isn’t the end of the world either, but make sure not to go so far that the dado extends beyond the front edge of the shelf.

    Stop and drop. Mark the stop point on the workpiece and slide the sled forward until the mark is aligned with where the tablesaw blade meets the surface (1). With the sled in that position, clamp a stop to the saw at the back of the sled to limit the cut and prevent the sled from moving backward during the plunge cut (2). With the saw running and the workpiece snug to the side stop and the rear fence of the sled, pivot the workpiece down onto the blade (3) and then continue the cut by advancing the sled.

    From Fine Woodworking #285

    Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.

    Sign Up

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up
    ×
    X
    X

    New Feature

    Fine Woodworking Forums

    Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

    Get It All!

    UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Subscribe to Fine Woodworking

    Save up to 56%

    Subscribe

    Comments

    1. Sharper802 | Oct 02, 2020 10:08pm | #1

      Hmmm... I too like double stick tape. I wonder how well double stick tape would hold on a waxed table saw surface though.

    2. tkwroth | Oct 03, 2020 07:55pm | #2

      Mike,
      Nice technique,
      Do you have a video on your push sticks?

    3. CFreeborn | Oct 10, 2020 11:18am | #3

      Clever. If your tablesaw has "T Slots" in it's top it's easy, quick and adjustable to make your stop with a tab nut, piece of all thread and a star knob through your stop block.

    4. user-533818 | Oct 10, 2020 07:59pm | #4

      Great; thanks.

      Mike, wouldn't the technique would work equally well on a router table?

    5. grbmds | Oct 10, 2020 11:27pm | #5

      Would doing the stopped dadoes on the router table be as good a solution? For me, it seems as if the setup would be just as easy, possibly easier, and the result the same.

    6. bobbg | Oct 11, 2020 11:32am | #6

      When i seen the way you did a stop for your table saw sled, what instantly came to mind was used a mag locking magnet and you can clamp or screw a aux board to the backside of your table saw sled. This would use less 2 sided tape and you wouldn't have to rely on an outfeed table. But it only works on cast iron tablesaws. But you can still clamp a long board to both infeed and outfield sides on a table saw thats not iron then with t track set up a start stop
      Point. Or lock in somthing into the miter slot. Always more then one way to skin a cat. The magnets faster then tape. Cool idea never thought of it.
      Surly if you do not have a magnet hold down for a feathor board you might have one for a dile indicator. They are ez to make as well with some rear earth magnets.

    7. User avater
      aleyoung86 | Oct 27, 2020 03:16pm | #7

      I know we have to work to our own level of comfort, but my goodness this technique just gives me the heebs and makes me squirm. More power to those who can muster the courage to do this, but I think I'll stick with my router table for these kinds of cuts.

    Log in or create an account to post a comment.

    Sign up Log in

    Up Next

    Featured Workshop

    Shaker candle stand with Christian Beckvoort

    He’s built dozens of round Shaker stands over four decades, so there is no one more qualified than Christian Becksvoort to demonstrate making this classic. In this seven-part video series,…

    Featured Projects & Plans

    Build a Contemporary Sideboard

    Chris Gochnour's sideboard combines usefulness, strength, and beauty in a contemporary case piece

    Related Stories

    • How to Lay Out and Cut Dovetails for a Box

    • The Basics of Box Making

    • A Dovetail Box with Wooden Hinges, Part 1

    • Workshop Tip: Miter box parts on the router table

    Discussion Forum

    Recent Posts and Replies

    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    View More Create Post

    Member Exclusives

    More Member Exclusives
    • Simple Dovetailed Box

      How to Lay Out and Cut Dovetails for a Box

      A box is the perfect project to learn how to cut dovetails by hand.

    • A Dovetail Box with Wooden Hinges, Part 1

      Practice your dovetail skills while you build this beautiful box.

    • The dowel joint

      James Krenov’s dowel joint

      Use a simple shopmade jig to create cabinets that stand the test of time.

    • Breadboard Ends: Tenons

      Gary Rogowski demonstrates his methods for this traditional yet strong breadboard end.

    Highlights

    • Shape Your Skills

      when you sign up for our emails

      Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking.

      Sign Up
    • Shop Talk Live Podcast

      Shop Talk Live Podcast

      Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community.

    • Woodpecker Sweepstakes

      Woodpeckers Shop Upgrade Giveaway

      Enter now for your chance to win more than $2,000 worth of woodworking equipment from Woodpeckers. Click for full details.

    • Staff Picks Blog

      Our favorite articles and videos

      We have created these special content collections organized to give you a deep dive into a range of topics that matter.

    Joinery

    View All
    • Basics of Box Making

      The Basics of Box Making

    • miter on router table

      Workshop Tip: Miter box parts on the router table

    • Tongue-and-groove joints by hand

    • Future-proof drawer frame construction

    View All

    From the Store

    View More
    • The Why & How of Woodworking

      Buy Now
    • Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking USB

      Buy Now
    • 52 Boxes in 52 Weeks

      Buy Now
    • 2020 Fine Woodworking Archive

      Buy Now
    View More

    Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine

    • #289-May/June 2021

      • Arts and Crafts coffee table with story-book charm
      • Links from Fine Woodworking issue #289
      • Seven tasks for a block plane
    • #288-Mar/Apr 2021

      • Phil Lowe: A craftsman and gentleman
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #288
      • Phil Lowe: craftsman, teacher, friend
    • #287-Jan/Feb 2021

      • Simple, handsome 17th-century box
      • Online extras from FWW issue #287
      • Editor's letter: Finding sanctuary in the shop
    • #286-Tools & Shops 2021

      • Shoulder plane setup and use
      • Online extras from FWW issue #286
      • From the editor: A shop to call home
    • #285-Nov/Dec 2020

      • Make a dovetailed desktop organizer
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #285
      • Announcing FWW ambassadors

    UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

    Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership

    Fine WoodWorking

    Follow

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Membership & Magazine

    • Members
    • Digital Libraries
    • Join Unlimited
    • Magazine Subscription
    • Magazine Renewal
    • Gift a Subscription
    • Customer Support
    • Manage Preferences

    Taunton Network

    • Fine Homebuilding
    • Green Building Advisor
    • Fine Gardening
    • Threads
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Careers
    • Copyright
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • California Privacy Rights

    © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Get instant access to over 100 digital plans available only to UNLIMITED members. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building!

      Main Menu

    • Projects and Plans
    • How-To
    • Shop Tips
    • Tools & Materials
    • Videos
    • Gallery
    • Magazine
    • Video Workshops
    • Members
    • Forum

      Popular Topics

    • Design
    • Small Projects
    • Beds
    • Chairs, Benches And Stools
    • Built-ins
    • Storage And Shelves
    • Cabinets
    • Carving
    • Casework
    • Desks
    • Tables
    • Shop Storage And Furniture
    • Woodturning Projects
    • Workbenches
    • Surface Prep

      More

    • TV
    • Forum
    • Blogs
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
    • Customer Support

      Account

    • Log In
    • Join

      Magazine

    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Digital Libraries
    • Magazine Index
    • Subscribe

      Membership

    • Member Home
    • Start Free Trial
    • Gift Unlimited
    • Log In

      Shop the Store

    • Books
    • DVDs
    • Taunton Workshops

      Events

    • Fine Woodworking Live
    • Fine Woodworking HANDS ON

      Account

    • Log In
    • Sign Up

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Follow

    UNLIMITED

    Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Upgrade Membership