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I make a lot of shallow dados on the table saw because it is quick and usually not enough to warrent setting up the router station. But, I had a problem getting the depth right. I always use a piece of scrap and I'd be too shallow and then go too deep because the table saw crank is not precise at all. I bought this drop indicator for $1 and thought I'd put it to use so I built this bridge style gage to clear the insert in the table saw for a firm base to measure from.
Now when I need to just go .015" deeper, I can count on the measurement of how much the blade really moved.

It is made from Oak, Brass, Corian and Aluminum.

cheers, Jim

Gallery

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Looks pretty handy.
What are a few of the uses you need a shallow Dado for?
 

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Very nice… You're bridging the possible lower section between saw insert and saw table…

Very good…
 

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541 Posts
Brilliant! How do you make sure the blade tooth is TDC?
 

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Jim, you never cease to amaze. Good one!.
 

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That's pretty cool loking measuring tool. Sure idea to consider once.
 

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Very clever.

Bob
 

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Great Idea…!!
 

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there's nothing like making your own custom tools

but I just go to my wixey digital depth guage
 

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clever idea,Jim
very handy
Greetings,Bambi
 

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Handy idea Jim. I too use the table saw for dados on occasion and either make them too shallow or too deep.
 

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Great idea and design. I was thinking if you had it set to zero, flush with the table, Then had prpared spacers to put under the feet. raise it up till it just touches. Finished depth in one step.
 

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What a great idea. Love it, I'll be making one of these for sure. Thx for sharing.
 

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Great idea, Jim!

Nice score on that gauge, too!!
 

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Thank you all for all the nice comments. I don't use it a lot, but when I do, it take the guess work and trial and error out of it..

Hi Eric, most of the dado's I do on the table saw are up to 1/2" deep which I consider shallow .

Hi Ben, I just eyeball the TDC with the high tooth. What I'm measuring is the lift of the drive shaft, so if the tooth is off a little one way of the other, that big flat disc picks up the vertical travel okay.

Hi Dick, a Wixie box will do it as long as it is mounted on a firm base for good relative readings. I just happened to get this analog drop indicator real cheap and it was new.

Hi Brian. I don't use this to gage the depth outright. I take a shallow cut and measure what I need to finish the depth and then use this gage to read out the movement .

I have one of these for my router table and a horizontal indicator for the fence movement and I use that one sometimes on the table saw to make fine movements of the fence. Everyone kids me for woodworking in thousandths!!

Cheers, Jim

cheers, Jim
 

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Another cool jig I have added to my list. NICE>>>
 

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Thanks, GunnY

Cheers, Jim
 

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I like it!!
 

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Hi Dick, a Wixie box will do it as long as it is mounted on a firm base for good relative readings. I just happened to get this analog drop indicator real cheap and it was new.

cheers, Jim

- Jim Jakosh
I use the WR200 height guage on my ts and router table. The magnetic base is the answer besides I don't have the talent to build tools like you do.

Dick
 

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Brilliant Jim! A use for an old dial indicator :))
 
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