TOOL / CUT & SHAPE
Router & dado guide
Cut the shallow channels that receive recessed shelf ends.
By GrainBench · Reviewed October 22, 2026
Jump to a section
When it earns a place in your kit
For through-dado shelves. The router, cutter, guide, work support and dust extraction form one setup; a groove drawing is not a router fence setting.
What to check before choosing
- Match the router collet and bit shank exactly.
- Choose a straight guide or dado jig that can produce the actual shelf thickness and planned groove depth.
A practical setup sequence
Disconnect power to fit and adjust the bit. Secure the panel and guide without putting clamps in the router path.
Establish guide offset and groove width on scrap. Use the router manual’s feed direction and depth-per-pass guidance.
Cut the test groove, check the remaining side thickness and dry-fit a shelf offcut. Transfer the verified setup to the labeled inside faces.
A common mistake to avoid
A nominal 3/4-inch cutter may leave a loose groove around thinner plywood.
Use it with
Sources and scope
References checked October 22, 2026. Named-product instructions illustrate the category and do not establish compatibility with every tool. Use the exact model’s instructions for capacity, settings, guarding and protection. No independent product testing or load rating is claimed.
Browse the equipment library → · Read project planning guides →