Simple to build and use, but very capable. Click image to enlarge

Auto-Width Dado Jig Plan

#NWW011
Price - $2.95
Difficulty: New Woodworker & Up

   Note: Now available in our Top 4 Jigs Plan/DVD offer! - Click Here

This jig evolved from one a woodworking neighbor of mine was trying to develop years ago. I moved away before and never heard if he perfected the idea, but the concept stayed with me. Over the years, I made several variations of that first jig, eventually settling on the one described here.

Straight dados, non-parallel or angled, this jig does them all, without measuring stock width. Click images to enlarge

   This version of the Auto-Width Dado Jig is easy to use, handles a wide range of wood sizes and has additional capabilities that make it even more valuable in the average shop. What makes this jig especially useful to so many woodworkers is it needs only a standard hand-held router equipped with a straight ½", flat-bottomed bit.

   While the basic design of this jig has not changed drastically, a series of small improvements made it more effective, and easier to use.

   Dados from ½" to 7 ¾" in width (and bigger by moving the jig) with a side-to-side limitation of nearly 25" means most dado jobs can be handled with this one jig. This capacity makes it possible to cut angled dados and even half-lap joints in steeply angled X-braces.

Even half-lapping an X-brace is easy with this jig! Click image to enlarge

   The moveable bar assembly eliminates the need for measuring the wood and specially sized bits. Mark a line where the dado should start, align the fixed bar with that line, hold a sample of the stock that will fit into the dado against the fixed bar, snug the moveable bar against it and tighten the locking knobs. That's it, set your router bit depth and route a perfect dado. If there are several dados of the same size to be made, simply move the jig to the new location, align it with the layout line, clamp and route.

   This jig also can cut dados with non-parallel edges. I understand these are very rare, but consider how this capability allows you to dress up a project with a tapered brace or sidepiece cleanly dado'd into the legs or uprights.   

   After completing payment you will be provided with a link through which to download the plan file to your computer. This link will also be provided in an email to you.

Order your Auto-Width Dado Jig Plan Set for only $2.95!

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