How to Set Up Stacked Dado Blades

Disconnect the power cord of the table saw or radial arm saw from the electrical outlet.

Remove the throat plate from the table saw, and raise the saw blade as far as it will go. Loosen the arbor nut with the saw's wrenches and remove the nut, outer washer and saw blade.

If you're using a radial arm saw, remove the blade guard and loosen the arbor nut, then remove the nut, washer and blade.

Locate the two outer saw blades of the stacked dado blade set. These two blades will have writing on one side and will look almost like a regular saw blade. Each blade has a cutting width of 1/8 inch. Place the blade with the arrows oriented clockwise onto the arbor with the writing side facing the saw motor.

Place the desired number of chippers onto the arbor. Chippers come in various shapes but are easily recognizable as they typically only have two or three carbide cutting teeth. Most chippers will have a cutting width of 1/8 inch, but your set will probably have one extra chipper that is 1/16 inch wide. Orient the chippers that you place on the arbor with the teeth facing the same direction as the blade you installed in Step 3.

Place the remaining outer blade onto the arbor with the writing side facing away from the saw motor. The arrows on this blade should be oriented counterclockwise. Follow the blade with the washer and the arbor nut. Tighten the arbor nut with the saw's wrenches.

Lower the table saw blade as far as it will go, and place a zero-clearance insert into the throat plate. Plug in the saw and turn it on, then raise the blade slowly to cut the width of the dado into the insert. Adjust the fence to the desired location, and proceed with cutting your dado or rabbet.

On a radial arm saw, replace the blade guard in such a manner that the blade doesn't interfere with the guard. Lower the blade to the desired depth of cut, place your board against the fence, and cut the dado or rabbet.