How much dado? is enough?

Dan · 2008-04-19T15:04:25+00:00

Folks --I was planning on making some utility storage towers out here, andthe question cam out - how much kerf is enough?The towers are 6 foot tall 3/4 plywood, each "chamber" about 18inches square. The sections that divide it up were to be set intosome dado cuts in the sides and back ( about half of 3/4 in ). glueand some wood screws were to hold the assembly together. The unit isnot destined for high mass items. More like a general sort box forlight to medium goods as the battle of entropy in my household movesto different rooms. Some bracing may be in the picture for theshelves.Once I finished this plan in sketchup, the reviewed it forreasonableness ( habit from software engineering ). The question thatcame up was -- how deep do you need to make a dado slot so it works assupport?Thanks for your replies!

Apr 19, 2008 25 Replies

Rate this thread:

dpb 18 years ago

I think you're backwards, still -- when the rabbet is at the top, the load causes a deflection downward which introduces tension on the end.

When the rabbet is on the bottom, the support is on the bottom and the bending load is compressive.

Sorry I brought it up, I guess... :)

Vote

mac davis 18 years ago

or a handful..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Vote

Drew Lawson 18 years ago

I was on your side until he explained it a second time and something in my head clicked. If the rabbet is on the top, then the tongue is on the bottom. I kept misreading "rabbet" as "tongue," or at least misenvisioning it.

Full plys on the bottom, shortened plys on the top.

Vote

dpb 18 years ago

THAT's WHAT I've been saying, all along -- but writing to cross porpoises, I guess. I was writing rabbet when I meant and was thinking of the side dado, sorry.

Vote