The dado blade is one of the most valuable tools in a wood shop. From cutting dados and rabbets to cutting tenons quickly and accurately, a stack of dado blades can save you tons of time. But are dado blades dangerous?

Yes, dado blades can be dangerous when used incorrectly or without the proper safety precautions. Since a dado stack is thicker than a standard saw blade, it can cause more harm in less time. That said, when used properly, dado blades are a safe and valuable tool in any woodshop.

So what, exactly, can you do to ensure you’re using your dado blades safely?

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when using dado blades:

Protect Your Eyes, Ears, And Lungs

When using any power tool, it’s important to protect your eyes and ears. However, it is especially important when using a stack of dados.

Since dado blades are thicker than a normal saw blade, they tend to produce a lot more dust and debris. They’re also a lot louder.

With that in mind, it’s incredibly important to wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes, a dust mask to protect your lungs, and earplugs or headphones to protect your ears.

Pay Attention To Your Hand Placement

Over the years, I’ve taught quite a few people how to use a table saw. And of all the dangerous mistakes I’ve seen beginners make, incorrect hand placement is one of the most common.

When using a table saw, you need to be keenly aware of where you’re placing your hands.

With the exception of thin cuts that require a push-stick, your hands should almost never be in-line with the blade–especially when using a dado stack. All it takes is one little slip, trip, or moment of complacency for you to end up in the hospital.

As a good rule of thumb, you should try to keep your hands a minimum of six inches away from the blade at all times; preferably more.

If you’re using the table saw correctly, there’s rarely a reason your hands should get closer than that.

As I like to say, let the fence do most of the work.

As long as you keep downward, fence-ward pressure on the piece you’re cutting, your hands should never need to get too close to the blade.

Avoid Long Sleeves

Unless you’re working out in the cold, I highly recommend wearing a short sleeve shirt when using a table saw.

Long sleeves can easily get tangled in the blade, which can cause serious injuries.

So unless you’re working in a cold environment or need the extra protection for some other reason, avoid long sleeves when using your table saw. If you do need to wear long sleeves, make sure they are on the tighter side, or consider rolling your sleeves up while you make your cuts.

As you might suspect, loose-fitting clothing and spinning blades just don’t mix very well.

Remove Necklaces, Bracelets, And Rings

Along those same lines, if you want to avoid serious injury, it’s best to remove any jewelry–especially rings, necklaces, and bracelets–before using a table saw.

Just like long sleeves, necklaces, bracelets, and rings can easily get tangled in the blade. And once they’re caught, there’s not much you can do to stop the blade from doing its job. If you’re lucky, it will cut through your jewelry and give you a scare.

If you’re unlucky, however, it will pull you into the blade.

Seriously, it’s not worth the risk. Just take off the jewelry and put it in a safe place before you start cutting.

Tie Up Your Hair

Since we’re on the subject, it’s also a good idea to tie up your hair before using a table saw.

Like jewelry, long hair can easily get caught in the blade. I don’t need to tell you how devastating this could potentially be.

This only takes a few seconds, so there’s really no excuse not to do it. Just take a quick break to tie your hair back before you start cutting.

Don’t Wear Gloves

This is another common mistake I see people make when using a table saw. While wearing gloves might seem like a good option, it’s actually quite dangerous. Since your hands will be the closest thing to the dado blade, gloves are the most likely item to get caught and pulled into the blade.

In my opinion, there is one situation when wearing a glove (singular) is an ok idea:

If you’re cutting a rough piece of wood that’s riddled with splinters, then I personally think it’s safer to wear a glove on your off-hand (i.e. your non-pushing hand, furthest from the blade). After all, a jolt of pain from a large splinter isn’t a recipe for safely operating a table saw.

But like I said, that’s just my opinion. Remember, you are responsible for your own safety; not me.

So, if you feel like wearing a glove on your off-hand isn’t a good idea, then don’t do it.

Use A Push Stick For Tight Cuts

Whenever you need to make a cut that requires your hand pass within six inches of the blade, you should use a push stick.

A push stick is simply a small piece of scrap wood (usually no more than 12 inches long) with one end shaped to fit snugly against the workpiece.

A push-stick allows you to keep downward pressure on your workpiece while keeping your hand a safe distance from the blade. this simple yet effective tool is essential if you want to use a table saw safely.

Always Use A Crosscut Sled Or Miter Gauge For Crosscuts

Making crosscuts (i.e. cuts that go across the grain of the wood) is one of the most common operations you’ll need to do with a table saw.

While this isn’t a requirement in every cross-cut situation, the safest and most accurate way is to use either a crosscut sled or miter gauge. Not only will these keep your workpiece from turning into the blade and kicking back at you, but it will improve your consistency and accuracy.

Unplug The Saw When Stacking Your Dados

Another important safety tip is to unplug the saw when you’re installing or removing a table saw blade.

While the chances are slim that you’ll accidentally start the saw while you’re messing with the blade, there is still a chance. By unplugging the saw, you eliminate the possibility of some kind of freak accident.

And since it only takes about 3 seconds, it’s well worth it.

Get A SawStop

If you’re really nervous, and feel like a dado blade is too dangerous for your comfort level, then I highly recommend investing in a SawStop table saw.

If you’ve never heard of a SawStop, its a table saw that fires a brake cartridge into the blade if your hand comes in contact with the blade while the saw is running. The brake cartridge causes the blade to drop instantaneously into the table saw body, thereby protecting you from serious injury.

Of all the options on this list, this is my favorite–and yes, I own one.

Sure, a SawStop is a larger investment than you might be willing to make. But consider this, if you purchase a saw that doesn’t protect you from accidental contact with the blade, you’ll likely spend a lot more than the cost of a SawStop on medical bills.

If It Makes You Nervous, Don’t Do It

Finally, if there’s something you’re unsure about or that makes you nervous, just don’t do it.

There’s no shame in admitting that you’re not comfortable doing something; especially when it comes to power tools. If you’re not sure how to properly use the tool or make a particular cut, then find someone who can teach you how. More than likely, you’ll find that there’s a better, safer way to make the cut.

Plain and simple, if you do something that makes you nervous, you’re more likely to make a mistake. And when it comes to table saws, even the smallest mistake can have disastrous consequences.

So, if something doesn’t feel right, just walk away and find another way to do it. Your safety is always more important than getting the job done.

Bottom Line

If you don’t know what you’re doing or take the proper precautions, dado blades can be dangerous.

However, if you’re careful and take the time to learn how to use them properly, they can be one of the most valuable tools in your wood shop.

So, what do you think? Do dado blades make you nervous? Let me know in the comments below.

As always, thanks for reading and be sure to share this post with your woodworking friends!