Kerf Dado Setting Jig made from a T-track left over

This is a Jig for woodworkers who cut  dados with a TS, RAS, SCMS and MS

Most of us who are into woodworking have seen this nice Kerf setting tool in the market and also we have all noticed its ridiculously high price.

In reality it is a very useful jig for cutting accurate dados without measuring, but for that price...!!!
- Get your hands out of my pocket -

I have seen many fellow woodworkers that have made a homemade accurate replicas out of wood of this fine woodworking tool, and I have also seen some really nice adaptations too.
But on the other hand it is just a setting jig; if it works correct then looks are not that important.
So, the other day I was looking into some drawers and I found a cut-off piece of t-track that I used on my router table. We all use them and most times we cut them to size to fit our dimension, as they are sold in specific lengths. So I was thinking why did I save that small 20cm long piece?

And the same night as I was browsing along the woodworking sites I saw this Kerf and it hit me what could I do with that left over piece of T-Track.

So I sat down and CAD a design of a Kerf Setting Jig using a piece of T-Track and some pieces of wood. Here is how I used that “useless” left over piece of T-track to build the Kerf Setting Jig.

Note: In case you are NOT familiar with what this Jig can do or you don’t know how to use and set it up, please watch this VIDEO.

Step 1 Materials List:

2 pieces of T-track
Scrub wood
1 flange bolt with washer and wing-nut
1 bolt with washer and wing-nut

That is all.

Comments

[356c]

Thank you, your design is a great alternative to the one on the market. I too had about a foot of channel left from my router table build. I got the parts all machined tonight and started to put it together. To my surprise, could not get it to completely close. After head scratching and measuring the components, I found that shorter slide should be 2.5 inches (65mm). I'll remake the component tomorrow and be a happy camper. Sadly, I'm an imperial unit guy and didn't check the conversions. BTW, I suspect that the commercial jig is a reasonable value. The company is very engineering driven producing well designed, well made tools. The price may well reflect that the jig started as a solid piece of aluminum, then machined into it's final state.

Jim

[steliart]

Yes, the commercial jig is expensive, but is a solid piece and well made. My aproach costs almost nothing and as others say who made it, it works just the same.
Good luck and thank you for visiting and comments

[domino88]

Thanks Steliart,

I live in Malaysia and I must be one of the five hobbyist woodworkers in the country. I don't know who the other 4 are... so there are no Home Depot or DIY megastores here... getting specialized supplies is an obstacle course. I think you are in a similar situation. I always enjoy reading your instructables because you use very commonly available materials to make some really smart things.

[steliart]

domino88 thank youfor your kind words. Actually we do have home depots and DIYs in Cyprus but for me there is always a chalenge to find simple and common ways to do things. When I see a jig I am thinking how can I do this myself. Sometimes it's more expensive than to buy the real thing, but where is the fun in this :)

Thanks for visiting and comments
Steli

[Phil B]

I have never seen one of these before. Thank you for making me aware of it and for showing how to make one. I will have to try this.

[steliart]

Thanks Phil,
and imagine that this little thing was originally retailed at $70+.

[Broom]

What Phil B said.

[steliart]

Thanks for visiting