Dados the right way

Thom Davies · Post by **Thom Davies** » Mon, Dec 05 2005, 4:30PM

Hey hows it all going?

When i have dadoed shelves or divs some people on the floor making the unit sometimes dont know which way the shelf goes. sometimes they have to measure the gap to work out where the shelf should sit. I mostly have it set (the groove) set to be on the top. Does anyone has problems as well? Or ways they work around it to make it easy?

Thanks inadvance

Thom Davies.

P.S We have tradesmen putting this together and are not use to the way of making cabinets with dados on them! They are skilled people!!!

Forrest Chapman · Post by **Forrest Chapman** » Mon, Dec 05 2005, 4:44PM

Thom,

The absolute easiest way to avoid this is use a full thickness dado. Simply choose blind dado the in dado parameters set tenon thickness to 100%.

Forrest

Thom Davies · Post by **Thom Davies** » Mon, Dec 05 2005, 4:53PM

Yeh that is another possable way i forgot about that!

Thanks

Thom Davies

Post by **Jason Susnjara** » Mon, Dec 05 2005, 5:01PM

Hi Thom,

You can also explode the cabinet and print it out so that it shows the right way that a tenon will fit.

Thom Davies · Post by **Thom Davies** » Mon, Dec 05 2005, 5:05PM

Thats a very good idea thanks jason!

Thanks

Thom Davies

Paul Ford · Post by **Paul Ford** » Mon, Dec 05 2005, 5:07PM

Hi Thom,
If you go into your shelf construction parameters it will tell you there where the tenon is aswell.

David Hall · Post by **David Hall** » Mon, Dec 05 2005, 5:59PM

As a general rule, we say, all shelves are the same as the top. (Tenon bottom)

You could change the tenon \"placement\" for one edge of one side of the shelf. For example, If you usually use 1\" front and back, change the \"right tenon back\" placement to 2\" and it will be impossible to assemble it wrong. (if edgebanding, be sure the edgebanding operator knows the rule too)

100% thickness blind dados have the advantage of allowing you to pick which side has better grain and orient the shelf accordingly.

Regards,
Dave

Thom Davies · Post by **Thom Davies** » Wed, Dec 07 2005, 4:34PM

Paul:

I know that you can tell were the tenon is in shelf constuction BUT the the guys on the floor need to know they go together so they dont put it in upside down!!!

David:

Yes the shelfs are set like yours are with less at the front to tell what edge to tape! Your general rule is the perfect way to tell the guys how the shelfs are set up! THANKS!

Thanks guys

Thom Davies

Glenn Van Reason · Post by **Glenn Van Reason** » Wed, Dec 07 2005, 4:46PM

Using the same method of different sizes for the front and back if you did say 2 inch at the back and 1 inch on the front left and 1 1/2 inch front right then the shelf would only fit one way.

Thom Davies · Post by **Thom Davies** » Wed, Dec 07 2005, 5:26PM

Glenn that is a brillant idea!!! That would solve a big issue!! THANK YOU

Thanks

Thom Davies

Glenn Van Reason · Post by **Glenn Van Reason** » Wed, Dec 07 2005, 5:44PM

No probs Thom, glad to help

Forrest Chapman · Post by **Forrest Chapman** » Thu, Dec 08 2005, 12:41PM

Hey Thom,

Since this is an ongoing conversation I thought to point out a few advantages to full thickness dado's for fixed shelves.

1. You can band either side.
2. You can place either way.
3. You only have one setting to change in parameters.
4. You will have 2 less operations (to cut tenon thickness).
5. You will not have a flip opp if you choose to have another operation on the other side of part.

The only possible disadvantage is if you have varying material thickness then the machined tenon will be the accurate thickness.
Hope this helps a little more.

Forrest

Thermwood / eCabinet Systems

Dados the right way

Dados the right way