FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

SCMS Dados in plywood techniques

basswood | Posted in Construction Techniques on June 15, 2007 04:16am

I used my SCMS to cut bookcase dados today. A router might have been faster, but I just had my Bosch Colt along and didn’t want to burn that up. The joinery did not have to be perfect, as the faceframes cover the joint. Still I wanted them to be tight glue joints, so I cleaned up the saw cuts with a chisel.

This brings up an important point, the depth of the dado cut can be such that you are chiseling with the grain of a ply layer (plow just a little different depth and you will be fighting to clean the dado out across the grain). In a pic here you can see the grain and the curved shavings that easily peeled out.

These cases were just a bit too deep (13″) for my saw to plow all the way…after I plowed out all I could, I flipped the board and just finished the two outside cuts on each dado. The remainder was easily chiseled out. It took 2 hours to cut and clean-up 24 dados this way.

One more note, I start all my SCMS cuts in plywood with a shallow scoring “pull stroke,” then drop the blade down and push back through to finish the cut. I get a very crisp edge this way…no splintering or tearout.

Tomorrow I install the cases and then apply face frames in place.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Ragnar17 | Jun 15, 2007 04:26am | #1

    Basswood,

    Looks like you got very nice results.

    One question, though.  You mentioned having to flip the boards to complete the cuts due to the limit of the saw carriage travel.

    If you made the cheek cuts of the dado by flipping the workpiece around, why didn't you just finish up the middle of the dado with the saw, too?

    1. User avater
      basswood | Jun 15, 2007 04:31am | #2

      The remainder popped out with one light chisel blow, so I figured it was an easy way to finish it off.

      1. Ragnar17 | Jun 15, 2007 04:40am | #3

        Fair enough.  I guess you had the old chisel out anyway!  For a minute there, reading your post, I thought you had roughed out the entire length of the dado with your chisel. 

  2. JasonQ | Jun 15, 2007 05:18am | #4

    Looks good!  One question - how did you control the depth of your cut?  I've tried to plow dadoes with a SCMS before by setting the stop so I'd only cut a certain depth, but met with problems anyway. 

     And what make/model saw are you using?  I did my experiments with a Bosch 3915, but after I killed that in a kickback incident, I've now got a new Hitachi 10" slider, which maybe would be a better candidate for dadoing.

    Jason

    1. User avater
      basswood | Jun 15, 2007 05:41am | #5

      I have an old Hitachi 10" slider. You can lock the depth of cut on my saw with consistant results. I think the key is to have both the "doubled nuts" and the wing nut tight.

      1. dovetail97128 | Jun 15, 2007 08:03am | #6

        Basswood,
        Are you actually using a dado set up on that saw or just making repeated cuts with the standard blade?"Poor is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves more."...Seneca

        1. Ragnar17 | Jun 15, 2007 08:14am | #7

          Dovetail,

          He's just using a standard blade to cut the dado cheeks.  Look at the first two photos and you'll see.

          1. dovetail97128 | Jun 15, 2007 09:30am | #8

            Ragnar,
            That is what I thought. I was just confused by some of the posts. I have never heard or seen anyone use a dado blade on a SCMS. So thought I would ask ."Poor is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves more."...Seneca

        2. User avater
          basswood | Jun 15, 2007 04:06pm | #9

          What Ragnar said.I am using a 72 tooth Tenryu Silencer blade, full 1/8" kerf. Definately not a good job for a thin kerf blade <g> With some careful practice, I was able to make the two cheek cuts, then finish all the repeated cuts with the blade running (cutting on both pull and push strokes) while I fed the material in with my left hand a safe distance away.Works well with my roller-style work-support stand, and may not be a good method for some.I should get some video of this.

    2. User avater
      basswood | Jun 15, 2007 04:18pm | #10

      One more note, on my Hitchi, the carriage travel stops at the fence too soon, so the curve of the blade results in the fence edge of the dado cut being ramped up to a shallow end, rather than full depth. This just occurs in the last 1/2" of the cut.The remedy is a 1x1 spacer against the fence. Then the ramp effect occurs in the spacer and the dado is full depth all the way. The spacer does reduce cut capacity, but still allows dados in a 11-1/4" board (the depth of most bookcase stock), without flipping boards to finish the cuts.

  3. IdahoDon | Jun 15, 2007 07:17pm | #11

    It looks like your results turned out better than mine with a new dewalt slider.  There was just too much up and down movement to be anything approaching consistant, even with considerable effort spent on consistant hand pressure.

    While not traditional, I must admit to cutting fewer dados since pocket screws came along. 

     

    Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

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

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fight House Fires Through Design

Smart construction decisions and material choices can significantly improve occupant safety and survival in the event of a fire in the home.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Fight House Fires Through Design
  • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
  • An Easier Method for Mitered Head Casings

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data