Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 48 minutes ago
Instead of using a thick, complicated dado stack to cut out a groove...what if you could take a blade and cause it to wave in and out as it spins...cutting more space with each rotation, like a 3D blade?
That’s the idea behind a 75-year-old patent for what we now call a wobble blade.
It uses a dial on the outside of the blade to control the width. Set the thickness you need, slap it on the arbor of your saw, tighten the nut, and you're ready to go.
These things do work surprisingly well...but there are a couple of things to be aware of.
First, since it’s not a solid stack, there’s more movement and resistance. You’ll get some chatter, especially on thicker cuts.
Second...and this is the big one...you’ll never get a flat-bottomed dado and will always have a slightly scooped center. That’s not ideal...but there’s a silver lining: that hollow can actually reduce glue pressure inside the joint. So instead of popping apart like a hydraulic piston under clamp force, your dado stays put.
And finally...you never want to use a dull blade. These things need to be sharp at all times or you’ll make a mess of the cut real fast. Wobble blades are rare but an interesting piece of history.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben K.
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
Instead of using a thick, complicated dado stack to cut out a groove...what if you could take a blade and cause it to wave in and out as it spins...cutting more space with each rotation, like a 3D blade?
That’s the idea behind a 75-year-old patent for what we now call a wobble blade.
It uses a dial on the outside of the blade to control the width. Set the thickness you need, slap it on the arbor of your saw, tighten the nut, and you're ready to go.
These things do work surprisingly well...but there are a couple of things to be aware of.
First, since it’s not a solid stack, there’s more movement and resistance. You’ll get some chatter, especially on thicker cuts.
Second...and this is the big one...you’ll never get a flat-bottomed dado and will always have a slightly scooped center. That’s not ideal...but there’s a silver lining: that hollow can actually reduce glue pressure inside the joint. So instead of popping apart like a hydraulic piston under clamp force, your dado stays put.
And finally...you never want to use a dull blade. These things need to be sharp at all times or you’ll make a mess of the cut real fast. Wobble blades are rare but an interesting piece of history.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben K.
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
