Are you setting up your dado stack wrong? (Some clever tips) 

The "add a drop of oil to the shims" tip alone made it worth watching!!

One tip to add on (if others upvote it as true, since I'm relatively new to this) - high quality dado stacks are expensive but poor quality ones are a bummer. You can find a balance by buying a high quality set in a smaller size. I have a great 6" dado set. It still allows plenty of depth of cut for me and cuts very clean but was only about as much as a lower-end, larger-size set.

Clear, concise and I love the idea of using shims in the too wide groove to figure out what you need - that was slick. I did make the "master gauge" board one day long ago and that has been slick to just drop on the test piece, find the perfect fit and then I just read the setup and install. Takes a bit to make one, but better joinery in the end.

As usual you provide good ideas. Even for someone who has owned a dado set 40 years.

You think to everything and present it slow and calm. You were born to teach

Welcome to "shelter in place" education! Let's welcome Dr. James Hamilton! Professor emeritus, department chair, Dean and since he's alone in the shop, head custodian. Excellent class, sir!

Stumpy. This is my first time trying a Dado Stack and this was SO helpful. THANK YOU!!!

Watched this years ago, kept struggling through to get my metal shims on and off the arbor, saw them deform, and the last straw was when that deformity cut me (minor but oh so annoying). Ordered the magnetic ones today. I recalled this video and knew then as I know now - you are right. Thanks.

Wow, great information. I don't have a dado set yet, but this inspired me to get a good set. With this info I now know what features to look for.

Thank You. I noticed the link after I posted the question. I have already put in my order. Your web site is very good. I learn something every time I watch one of your videos.

Man, your tips are always top notch, most reliable!

Thanks. Didn't know about the magnetic shims. Very cool

I thought I knew all I needed to know about setting up my dado stack. Boy was I wrong. Thanks again James!

You give so much useful info. Thanks.

Thanks so much for this video. It was very informative.

Nice video and thanks for the discount code. Just ordered those magnetic shims.

You don’t really need any other woodworking videos than these. But I do like to watch them all, even though I’ve been at it 60 years. In the bad old days self taught meant buying books.

Going to use mine for the first time tomorrow. Now I am not so scared to do so. Thanks James

I just cut a dado for the first time. I went though the measurements just like in the video. The cut was okay, but testing is really required to get a good cut for both depth and width - i.e. for a T-Track. My shims are not magnetic with oversize centre holes. When I took the stack apart, there was a tiny wicker sticking out of the centre rim, which meant it had been crimped during make up. I thought I felt it - and yes it was. I really do like your videos. And this particular one is built on numbers and that is something I like.

Great tip on the magnetic shims, I also like the larger diameter than the stock ones. My method ( I stole it, I'm not that smart): I eyeball the thickness plus a bit, making sure a have a few shims in the stack. I then cut a loose test dado. Then I do a test fit, and add shims from the stack, until I have the desired tightness. I then leave out the shims I used for the fit, reassemble the dado stack, and go. That way, I also don't need to worry if I have a little runout on the saw, or seasonal humidity changes.

Thank you for the tips. I've been avoiding using my dado stack because it's such a pain in the ass, and now I know I have a crappy dado set. So I will use your link and get a good stack and use your advice for set up. I feel more optimistic now. Thank you.👍

The thickness chart that came with my Freud set is "short" across the entire recommended range. It seems to be gauged off of plywood's undersized settings, so when the chart says 3/4" it actually means '3/4" plywood'. Unfortunately, this means all of the sizes in between are under-sized, which is annoying when you're working with something like 12mm baltic birch ply, or hardwood planed down manually to a specific thickness.

Thank you! I’ve always had a hard time getting my dados set up

This vid will certainly make dados easier. Thanks

I had a weird mishap with my dado set. I had made a cut and when my saw was spinning down, the arbor nut came loose and the dado blade dropped off inside the saw. What the heck? So I put them back on, tightened the nut really tight. And it happened again! I figured out that one of the shims must have nested in valley of the arbor thread as you mentioned. This prevented the assembly from being snugly nested together. Dumb, but hopefully I won't make that mistake again.

Great info. Right to the point, and packed with information. Also picked up the mag shims! Thank you

Excellent pointers ! You always come through with great info.

You’re the best, Stumpy! Thank you for your excellent videos.

Thanks much, Stumpy. Informative as usual. I always learn something new that is helpful. Worth my time, friend.

Thanks love your channel, all the way from South Africa.

FYI looks like your using a Sawstop in this video. On my Freud dado stack I had that problem with the arbor not being long enough. I called Sawstop Technical and the engineer told me it’s fine to leave the arbor washer off when using a stack. He said that the arbor washer is only for stability when using a saw blade and really isn’t needed using a dado stack. Yeah I have issues with the shim washer fallen between the threds, good tip and I’ll check out magnetic shims, thanks

This video was very informative, thanks for answering my questions

I have been using my cheap dado set for years,,Never had a problem setting them up,,All i do is count the blades,,,each blade is 1/8th inch thick. I built all my kitchen cabinets using my dado set

AH the tip I saw in the last one ........AND MORE! Always new things to learn.

Unfortunately, I live in the UK and because of EU 'Elf and Safety, Dado stacks are not allowed. But I always watch videos like this because you usually cover other things that are not included in the title, and I don't want to miss those.

Thanks for the great tips! Between WWMM and you I am becoming a woodworker!

Great tip I don’t know why I had not heard of doing the stack before putting it on the saw. Also making a stack jig of various dado widths. Thank you for the help.

Good video, I agree with always doing a test cut. Already have an 8" Freud Safety dado & an Irwin wobble dado I use on lumber only. What a difference between the two.

Great video. Thanks for the link on the shims

Great info; Thanks! Just when I thought I've mastered dado set up ....

Right off the top Thank you, Thank you for your video, incredible detail, very informative, Excellent CLOSE-UPS in regards to what it is you're explaining. That pointer is EXTREMELY HELPFUL in showing precisely what it is and looks like. I'm very new to your RU-vid Channel and haven't gone through all of your., again helpful videos. Question for you; If you haven't already done so, I'm having difficulty trying to attach my Incra Miter Slider, Glide Lock Steel runner special edition, many, many types and styles to make them from. Screw and or glue what to do. Time permitting for yourself love to see it actually done right. Thank you. Cheers!

Great tutorial, thanks. WWMM recommended your video.

I actually learned something ty

Thank you Sir!

Thank You ! Finally , useful and extremely helpful info on dado blades.

Thanks so much, James. I've had this very problem with my shims so I ordered a set of magnetic ones just now. I have a nice dado stack that I seldom use because of my fear of boogering up my arbor threads with the tight fitting, slipping shims. I switched to a Ridge Carbide blade last month and love it. I also located a very good sharpener within driving distance and had them sharpen my original SawStop blade as a back up. I'll be making perfect dados by the weekend. :)

Another great video! Thanks. I subscribed and hit the bell.

I picked up a of vintage Vermont American dado setin pretty good condition for 10$ I hope they work good

I bought my set second-hand and it didn't come with a chart. This tutorial is invaluable. Thanks again for teaching me how to use the tools that I have better.

Great video

Kinda late in the day I guess ... but ...!!! Great video ... but does not address an issue I've run into ... and have learned others have same problem. IF your table saw arbor has only a 'limited' straight shank before threaded area, you will easily end up being forced to install dado stacks over or into the treaded portion of the shaft. I struggled with this as a major problem in executing box joints. Since the misalignment is only slight, it typically causes little problem for large dados .... but can royally screw up smaller scale dados. Due to the slightly misaligned blades in the dado stack, You will end up with a slight offset or irregular surface at the bottom of the dado which causes the box joint to not seat fully, and leaves an unsightly gap in the joint. This is not a perfect fix, but I've begun using a 5/8th high-grade, hardened steel, quality machine bolt with an inch or more straight shank. I insert that into the dado set, then (I know, big potential for problems ... so has to be done carefully!) clamp the set, near the edge. Then pull the bolt out, and properly install the clamped set onto the saw arbor. This holds the dado set in near perfect alignment, until you can run the saw shaft nut down on the set. Remove the clamp .... and done. Works for me. Box joints all coming out perfect now.

Thanks for this James, I've been looking for a dado stack that actually cuts a flat bottom dado without the grooves. Yes, I'm suffering from a crappy dado set. The board with the dados cut to use as a chart is a great idea.

Great tip about the magnetic shims.

good tips thanks

Good tips, thank you for sharing.

Your videos are extremely helpful! Thank you!

Thanks!

good video thanks

Some excellent tips! Thanks James.

Good informative video. Thank you. I can hardly stop myself from getting a dado set but I must buy a table saw first don't I. Or, build the table saw myself because that I can do without owning a table saw.

Very helpful, thank you. (I just bought my first table saw yesterday)

Great video and also nice denim jacket ;)

Great information, thanks!

Great tip on the oil!

Great lesson. Thank you

Always look forward to you videos. Thanks for the great tips.

Always love your videos. I do have to say though, that I'm not a big fan of Ridge Carbide. Based on your recommendation I went a little nuts several years ago. I bought a dado set, a 12" miter blade, a rip blade and general purpose tablesaw blade, as well as a specialty dovetail blade. I've been quite disappointed with the performance of all of these blades. They dull much faster than the Forrest or Freud blades I've used in the past and even when brand new the cuts weren't as smooth and often burned. After a few years of use I can honestly say that they were one of the most disappointing purchases I've ever made.

Very helpful! Thank you.

Good info James, thanks for sharing with us. Fred.

I like the video and I like the deal witch stumpy(sorry James) has going on with them but Ridge carbide is 20 minutes down the road from me good people the price is reasonable but comparing the dado price you can get the Olshlun stack for half the price with the same quality ....and flat bottom grooves you make the rocking world go on

Great information! I absolutely agree with always doing a test cut.

Thank you for the great info! Can you please do a video explaining the five speeds on my router? I have a Porter router and an incra lift/table.

Wow such cool tips!

James, You do an amazing job in all your videos. The safety tips are always appreciated. Question. I have an old delta table saw. Should I but wood or melamine throat plates and cut through them with different width dato stacks to create a tight fit around my most commonly used dato stacks? Thanks, Al

LOVE YOUR VIDS Stumpy,, question,, what would be causing tear out when I'm making a box joint jig with brand new Freud dado stack? No one has addressed this on RU-vid

I saw someone wearing a tool vest, could you show more about that and other ways to carry tools around.

Thanks for the tips. I already own a Freud dado set, but I’m going to buy those magnetic shims. You may be interested to know that Ridge Carbide is the only store I could find that sells magnetic shims for dados.

Great tips, thanks. $249.95 for this dado set is little too steep for me.

Great video, thanks for the tips!

Ok, I am taking the plunge. My elder Wabble bkade is a lot of work trial and error and not all that tidy.

Could you do a video giving your opinions on which table saw you would recommend for a beginning woodworker that can grow with them as they advance in skill?

The Ridge Carbide discount, on the 10 combination blade (German Industrial) is only $7.90. As my first purchase from them, I am really hesitant to plunk over a hundred bucks. This would have been an intro to them, if it worked, I probably would have come back. As it is, think I will stay with what I have.

You can probably figure out how many times I've dwelled on this video. Research continues but, I'm an angel's whisper away from Ridge.

Super helpful!

Thank You Bud👍

When using the magnetic shims, don't use a thin steel one between the magnetic one and a blade as the steel kinda laminates the magnetic one to the blade. Tough to get off.

A A lot of good info, great video!

Hi Stumpy Nubs, Were you purposefully posing in front of that background - to have Batman ears? Good video!

great tips

Man, you're amazing !

thank you

I learned alot from this video

Love your site. I’m an old retired man who has made his place in this world with wood. I still do cabs and occasional commissioned furniture, I’ve a nifty little shop. All I’d like to make a useful tip. Digital calipers are approximaters at best, the very most expensively made digitals still have large margins of error. Switch back to a well made dial caliper and be dead nuts every time. I’ll take analog mechanical hard measurements over some little computer every day. My two hundred dollar Japanese made digital can’t go through a set of good quality feeler gauges with accuracy and yet my forty buck Fowler dial made in China came up dead nuts on all but two of the blades, makes me think the feeler gauge is at fault. Just saying.

Hi! I found your video looking for solutions to my uneven dado cuts. I have a Dewalt set that does not seem to make a smooth bottom. Could this just be the quality of my dado or is there something I am doing wrong? I thought I’d ask a pro before buying another $200+ Dado set. Such a valuable tool, certainly worth the cash for a quality set.

I can not find a perfect nesting spot for the chippers against the blade. My chipper teeth always interfere with the outer blades causing a lot of frustration in dialing in a cut. I can literally assemble a stack, make a cut then disassemble, reassemble and get a different width cut (we're talking 0.000's) but still frustrating. There is NOT a spot of the blade where the chipper tooth does not interfere...I assume my $100 8" dado set is trash?

Thanks James I'm kinda new to this type of woodworking and I have a question, can I use a outer blade and just one chipper blade to get the right cut. I'm working with 3/16" Luan. Thanks

My jet table saw arbor is not threaded all the way to the shoulder. That is where I put the shims.

Commenting to help the algorithm. :)

I tried to use the link to the dado stack but even the website said I was banned because I live in the UK damn nanny state , great video though

hi stump. I have a table saw with a 30mm hole in the blade, but the saw has a 20mm shaft, so there is a 30mm x 20mm washer inserted into the blade centre !!! my question is could I bye a 20mm bore blade to use on my table saw ??? hope this makes sense regards clive