Overview
The dado settings control how cabinet parts fit together, including tops, bottoms, shelves, stretchers, partitions, backs, and face frames. These parameters let you specify joint depths, add assembly clearance, set blind dado setbacks, and control qualified tenon thickness and machining.
Understanding Dado and Tenon Construction
Dado: A groove machined into one part to receive another part. For example, a cabinet bottom can fit into dados machined in the cabinet ends.
Tenon: The projecting portion of a part that fits into the dado.
Blind Dado: A joint where the tenon stops short of the front or rear edge of the part. Setbacks control where the tenon begins and ends.
Qualified Tenon: A tenon machined to a specified thickness. This removes material thickness variations from the tenon to provide a consistent joint fit.
Slop: Additional clearance added to the width or depth of a dado to provide room for assembly.
Dado Depth Parameters
DadoBot, DadoBotT, DadoBotW - Dado Depth for Bottom into Ends
Purpose: Sets how far the cabinet bottom fits into the cabinet end panels.
How it works: Enter the required dado depth. Mozaik uses this value for the bottom-to-end joint.
Application: Cabinet bottoms that fit into the side panels.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint instead of a dado joint.
DadoTop, DadoTopT, DadoTopW - Dado Depth for Top into Ends
Purpose: Sets how far the cabinet top fits into the cabinet end panels.
How it works: Enter the required dado depth for the top-to-end joint.
Application: Cabinet tops that fit into the side panels.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint.
FixShDado, FixShDadoT, FixShDadoW - Dado Depth for Fixed Shelf into Ends
Purpose: Sets how far a fixed shelf fits into the cabinet end panels.
How it works: Enter the required dado depth for the fixed shelf joint.
Application: Fixed shelves joined to the cabinet side panels.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint.
Important: This setting controls fixed shelf joinery. It does not describe adjustable shelf support holes.
StrDado, StrDadoT, StrDadoW - Dado Depth for Stretcher into Ends
Purpose: Sets how far a stretcher fits into the cabinet end panels.
How it works: Enter the required dado depth for the stretcher-to-end joint.
Application: Stretchers that fit into the cabinet side panels.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint.
ParDado, ParDadoT, ParDadoW - Dado Depth for Partitions
Purpose: Sets the dado depth for partition joints.
How it works: Enter how far the partition fits into the receiving part. The reference illustration shows a partition fitting into a cabinet bottom.
Application: Dadoed cabinet partitions.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint.
[Screenshot: Bottom, top, fixed shelf, stretcher, and partition dado locations]
Back Dado Parameters
BkDado, BkDadoT, BkDadoW - Dado Depth for Back into Ends
Purpose: Sets how far the cabinet back fits into the cabinet end panels.
How it works: Enter the depth of the back dado in the side panels.
Application: Cabinet backs captured in dados in the cabinet ends.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint.
BkDadoBotB - Dado Depth for Back into Bottom for Base Cabinets
Purpose: Sets how far the back fits into the bottom of a base cabinet.
How it works: Enter the required depth for the back-to-bottom dado.
Application: Base cabinets with the back dadoed into the bottom.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint.
BkDadoBotW - Dado Depth for Back into Bottom for Wall Cabinets
Purpose: Sets how far the back fits into the bottom of a wall cabinet.
How it works: Enter the required depth for the back-to-bottom dado.
Application: Wall cabinets with the back dadoed into the bottom.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint.
BkDadoTopB - Dado Depth for Back into Top for Base Cabinets
Purpose: Sets how far the back fits into the top of a base cabinet.
How it works: Enter the required depth for the back-to-top dado.
Application: Base cabinets with the back dadoed into the top.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint.
BkDadoTopW - Dado Depth for Back into Top for Wall Cabinets
Purpose: Sets how far the back fits into the top of a wall cabinet.
How it works: Enter the required depth for the back-to-top dado.
Application: Wall cabinets with the back dadoed into the top.
Set to ZERO: Creates a butt joint.
Important: Back-to-end, back-to-bottom, and back-to-top joints have separate depth parameters. Changing one does not replace the need to check the others.
Dado Clearance Parameters
DSlopD - Dado Depth Slop
Purpose: Adds clearance to the depth of the dado.
How it works: Enter the amount to add to the specified dado depth.
Application: The supplied illustration identifies tops, bottoms, fixed shelves, and stretchers.
Calculation:
Machined dado depth = specified dado depth + DSlopD.
Example:
Specified dado depth: 0.250 inch.
DSlopD: 0.010 inch.
Resulting dado depth: 0.260 inch.
Note: This example illustrates the calculation; it is not a recommended default.
DSlopW - Dado Width Slop
Purpose: Adds clearance to the width of the dado.
How it works: Enter the amount to add to the material thickness when determining the dado width.
Application: The supplied illustration identifies tops, bottoms, fixed shelves, and stretchers.
Calculation:
Dado width = material thickness + DSlopW.
Example:
Material thickness: 0.750 inch.
DSlopW: 0.010 inch.
Resulting dado width: 0.760 inch.
When to adjust: When the joint needs more or less clearance across the groove.
DSlopDBK - Dado Depth Slop for Backs
Purpose: Adds depth clearance to back dados.
How it works: Enter the additional depth required for the back dado.
Application: Back dado joints.
Important: Use the back-specific depth slop parameter when adjusting clearance for backs.
DSlopWBK - Dado Width Slop for Backs
Purpose: Adds width clearance to back dados.
How it works: Enter the amount to add to the width of the back dado.
Direction note: The back-specific illustration describes this clearance as added toward the back. DSlopWDir is also described as applying to backs, so confirm the selected direction in your settings before machining.
DSlopWDir - Direction to Add Dado Width Slop
Purpose: Controls the direction in which dado width clearance is applied.
Options:
• Add Inwards: Adds clearance toward the center of the cabinet.
• Add Outwards: Adds clearance away from the center of the cabinet.
• Add Both: Adds clearance in both directions.
Application: Tops, bottoms, and backs.
Important: This parameter controls the direction of the clearance. The width slop fields control the amount.
Blind Dado Parameters
BlindDadoF - Front Blind Dado Setback
Purpose: Sets the distance from the front edge of the part to the tenon.
How it works: Enter the front setback distance.
When to use: When the tenon needs to stop short of the front edge.
Set to ZERO: Creates a full tenon at the front edge.
BlindDadoR - Rear Blind Dado Setback
Purpose: Sets the distance from the back edge of the part to the tenon.
How it works: Enter the rear setback distance.
When to use: When the tenon needs to stop short of the back edge.
Set to ZERO: Creates a full tenon at the rear edge.
BlindTLM - Blind Dado Tenon Length Minus
Purpose: Adjusts the tenon setbacks to accommodate the rounded corners left by the router bit.
How it works:
• Enter a value equal to or greater than the profile tool diameter.
• Half of BlindTLM is added to each applicable blind dado setback.
• Increase the value if additional clearance is needed.
Calculation example:
BlindTLM: 3/8 inch.
Half of BlindTLM: 3/16 inch.
BlindDadoF: 1 1/4 inches.
Resulting front setback: 1 1/4 + 3/16 = 1 7/16 inches.
Important: BlindTLM works with the setback values. The final setback can be greater than the value entered in BlindDadoF or BlindDadoR.
Qualified Tenon Parameters
QDado - Qualified Tenon Thickness
Purpose: Sets the finished thickness of qualified tenons.
How it works: The tenon is machined to the specified thickness, removing material thickness inconsistencies from the tenon.
When to use: When you want tenons machined to a consistent thickness despite variations in sheet material.
Important: QDado controls tenon thickness. It does not control how deeply the joint enters the receiving panel.
QTenonB - Qualified Tenon Locations for Base Cabinets
Purpose: Selects which base cabinet joints receive qualified tenons.
Options:
• None
• Bottom Only
• Top Only
• Bottom+Top
• Bottom+Top+Shelf
Application: Base cabinet bottom, top, and shelf joints. The illustration also identifies corresponding stretcher positions.
QTenonW - Qualified Tenon Locations for Wall Cabinets
Purpose: Selects which wall cabinet joints receive qualified tenons.
Options:
• None
• Bottom Only
• Top Only
• Bottom+Top
• Bottom+Top+Shelf
Application: Wall cabinet bottom, top, and shelf joints. The illustration also identifies corresponding shelf or stretcher positions.
QTenonFlip - Use Flip Side Dados for Qualified Tenons
Purpose: Controls whether qualified tenon construction uses flip side machining.
How it works:
Set to NO: Uses single-sided machining.
Set to YES: Uses double-sided operations. Back-into-bottom and partition-into-bottom dados result in flip side machining.
Important limitations when set to NO:
• Not compatible with dadoed partitions.
• Not compatible with non-symmetrical cabinets.
• Not compatible with dadoed backs.
Optimizer note: If there are no back or partition dados and the material is two-sided, you can flip these parts in the optimizer.
Face Frame Dado Parameters
FrameDado - Dado Case into Frame
Purpose: Selects which case parts are dadoed into the face frame.
Options:
• None
• Ends Only
• Ends + Bottom
• Ends + Bottom + Top
• Ends + Partitions
• Ends + Bottom + Partitions
• Ends + Top + Partitions
• All Parts
How it works: Choose the combination of parts required for your construction method.
FrameDadoD - Case into Frame Dado Depth
Purpose: Sets how far the case parts fit into the face frame.
How it works: Enter the required case-to-frame dado depth.
Application: Parts selected for dado construction through FrameDado.
Important: FrameDado selects the parts. FrameDadoD sets the depth.
FrameNotchAdj - Adjustment to Frame Dado Notch
Purpose: Provides an additional tenon adjustment for horizontal cabinet members dadoed into the face frame.
How it works: Enter the additional adjustment required for the frame dado notch.
Application: Horizontal cabinet members joined to the face frame.
FrameQDado - End-to-Frame Qualified Tenon Thickness
Purpose: Sets the qualified tenon thickness for case-to-face-frame dado joints.
How it works: Enter the required qualified tenon thickness.
Set to ZERO: Specifies no qualified tenon for this setting.
Important: FrameQDado controls thickness. FrameDadoD controls joint depth.
FrameTennonFlip - Use Flip Side Dados for End-to-Frame Qualified Tenons
Purpose: Selects which cabinet ends use flip side dados for end-to-frame qualified tenons.
Options:
• None
• Finished Ends Only
• All Ends
How it works: Choose whether flip side machining applies to no ends, finished ends only, or all ends.
Troubleshooting Dado and Tenon Issues
Issue: A dado is missing
• Check the applicable dado depth parameter.
• A depth of 0 specifies a butt joint.
• Confirm that you are adjusting the parameter for the correct joint.
Issue: The part fits too tightly across the dado
• Check the actual material or tenon thickness.
• Review DSlopW for top, bottom, fixed shelf, and stretcher dados.
• Review DSlopWBK for back dados.
• Confirm the width clearance direction.
Issue: The joint needs additional depth clearance
• Check the specified dado depth.
• Review DSlopD for the listed case joints or DSlopDBK for backs.
• Keep the intended joint depth separate from the additional assembly clearance.
Issue: A blind tenon catches at the ends of the dado
• Check BlindDadoF and BlindDadoR.
• Confirm that BlindTLM is equal to or greater than the profile tool diameter.
• Account for the additional setback created by half of BlindTLM.
Issue: The tenon extends to the front or rear edge
• Check the corresponding blind dado setback.
• A setback of 0 creates a full tenon at that edge.
Issue: Qualified tenon machining conflicts with back or partition dados
• Check QTenonFlip.
• NO is not compatible with dadoed backs or partitions.
• YES enables the double-sided operations described above.
Issue: A case-to-frame qualified tenon is missing
• Check whether FrameQDado is 0.
• Confirm the selected parts in FrameDado.
Best Practices
Joint Setup:
• Identify the receiving part and the part fitting into it before changing a setting.
• Check back-to-end, back-to-top, and back-to-bottom joints separately.
• Keep dado depth, tenon thickness, and assembly clearance distinct.
Fit Adjustments:
• Measure the material or machined tenon before adjusting clearance.
• Change one fit parameter at a time.
• Test the joint on sample material before applying changes to production parts.
Blind Dados:
• Match BlindTLM to the profile tool diameter or use a larger value when additional clearance is required.
• Include the BlindTLM adjustment when checking final setbacks.
Machining:
• Confirm which faces require machining before cutting.
• Review QTenonFlip when using dadoed backs, dadoed partitions, or non-symmetrical cabinets.
• Check FrameTennonFlip separately for end-to-frame qualified tenons.
Parameter Interactions to Know
Dado Depth and Depth Slop: The dado depth parameter establishes the joint depth. Depth slop adds clearance beyond that value.
Material Thickness and Width Slop: For the standard joints illustrated, dado width equals material thickness plus width slop.
DSlopWDir and Width Slop: DSlopWDir controls where the width clearance is applied. The applicable width slop parameter controls its amount.
BlindDadoF, BlindDadoR, and BlindTLM: The front and rear parameters establish the setbacks. Half of BlindTLM is added to each applicable setback for tool clearance.
QDado and QTenonB or QTenonW: QDado specifies qualified tenon thickness. QTenonB and QTenonW select which joints receive those tenons.
FrameDado, FrameDadoD, and FrameQDado: FrameDado selects the case parts. FrameDadoD sets their depth into the frame. FrameQDado sets qualified tenon thickness.
Zero Values: A zero dado depth creates a butt joint. A zero blind dado setback creates a full tenon at the corresponding edge. A zero FrameQDado value specifies no qualified tenon for that setting.