Switched to a shooting board for dados, not going back

I always cut dados with a router and a straightedge jig. Takes forever to set up. Last week I had to cut 12 shelves in 1/2 inch ply and was dreading it. Buddy of mine told me to try a simple shooting board with a hand plane. Got it dialed in after 3 test cuts and knocked out all 12 dados in about 20 minutes. Anyone else find hand tools faster sometimes than power tools?

2 comments

2 Comments

holly_sanchez751mo ago

Ditched my router table last month for a hand plane on a shooting board, now I use it for every shelf I build. Funny how we think power tools always save time till you try the old way.

miles_sanchez1mo ago

Yep, @holly_sanchez75, the shooting board trick changed how I trim tenons too. Once you get the plane iron dialed in, nothing beats that clean shear cut.