Woodpeckers EWDJ-24-20 Exact Width Dado Jig – 24-1/2 Inch

Key Features

Perfect Fit, No Math Set the cut using your actual stock, then rout a dado that matches that thickness. No measuring, no test cuts, no guessing what the plywood really is today. Wide Dado Range Cuts dadoes from 3/8 inch to 1-1/2 inch wide, so it covers cabinet backs, shelving, and casework joinery without swapping to oddball undersized bits. Stops for Blind Cuts Built-in adjustable stops limit router travel for clean, repeatable blind dadoes when you do not want the groove running out the end.

Overview

The Woodpeckers EWDJ-24-20 Exact Width Dado Jig is a router accessory designed for cutting exact-width dadoes for cabinetry and furniture joinery. Model number EWDJ-24-20. The whole point is simple: use the actual shelf or panel as the gauge, and rout a dado that fits it snug, even when sheet goods are all over the map.

Setup starts with a quick trim pass to match your router to the jig. After that, you slide your stock between the edge guides, clamp it down, and rout. Your router guide bushing follows the jig rails while the router bit cuts on the exact cutting lines set by the edge guides, so the groove ends up matching the stock thickness without fiddling with measurements.

If your project calls for blind dadoes, the built-in stops on both ends let you control exactly where the cut starts and stops. There is an engraved scale to set the stops fast, and the same precision scale can slide out so you can use it to set router bit depth, with compensation for the thickness of the jig.

For jobsite durability and repeatable accuracy, the guide rails are machined from solid phenolic, and the stops, indicators, and hardware are stainless steel. The jig uses sacrificial edge guides that last for multiple projects and are replaced when you change your router bit and guide bushing combination.

Capacity-wise, this 24-1/2 inch model is built for the kind of cabinet sides, shelves, and bookcase parts you routinely cut on the bench. It can close down to cut a dado as short as 5 inches, and it includes replaceable, zero-clearance end blocks to help eliminate splintering and tear-out at the ends of the cut.

The jig includes a precision-machined 1/2 inch diameter Porter-Cable style template guide bushing and a matching spacer to get you through the initial trim pass. If your router does not use the Porter-Cable style guide bushing, the jig can still be used with any 1/2 inch guide bushing and a 3/8 inch router bit combination.

This is for woodworkers and cabinet installers who cut dadoes often and want repeatable, tight-fitting joinery without burning time on test cuts. If you do occasional dados, it is still a nice luxury, but if you build cabinets or casework weekly, it pays you back fast in setup time and fewer do-overs.

See the Jig, Understand the Process

The adjustable rails set both sides of the cut at once, so the groove width is driven by your stock, not by what the bit label claims. The end stops keep your router travel consistent for blind joinery.

• Adjustable edge guides define the exact cutting lines for both sides of the dado
• Engraved scale helps set stop locations quickly for repeatable cut lengths

What’s in the Box

• (1) Woodpeckers Exact Width Dado Jig (24-1/2 inch capacity)
• (1) 1/2 inch diameter Porter-Cable style template guide bushing
• (1) Matching spacer (for the initial trim pass)

Key Specifications

Weight (lbs)	11.0 lbs
Maximum Capacity	24-1/2 in
Dado Width Range	3/8 in to 1-1/2 in
Minimum Dado Length	5 in
Template Guide Bushing	1/2 in diameter (Porter-Cable style included)
Primary Materials	Phenolic guide rails; stainless steel hardware
Made In	Strongsville, Ohio, USA

Compatibility

Router Guide Bushings Includes a 1/2 inch diameter Porter-Cable style template guide bushing. If your router does not accept Porter-Cable style bushings, the jig can be used with any 1/2 inch guide bushing and a 3/8 inch router bit combination.

Built For

Cabinetry Bookcases and shelving Furniture making Woodworking Joinery layout and routing

Pro Tip

Do the initial trim pass with the included spacer and the bushing you plan to use, then keep that bushing and bit combination dedicated to this jig. If you change either one later, plan on replacing the sacrificial edge guides so your cut lines stay dead-on.

Tool Nut’s Take

Tool Nut’s Take

Woodpeckers EWDJ-24-20 Exact Width Dado Jig: the fastest way to stop fighting plywood

If you cut dadoes for casework, this jig turns a fussy setup into a repeatable, clamp-and-rout process.

• Who it’s for: Cabinet and furniture builders who want consistent, tight-fitting dado joinery without test cuts.
• Why it stands out: Uses your actual stock to set width, plus built-in stops and a scale for repeatable blind dadoes.
• Worth knowing: Router compatibility depends on using a 1/2 inch guide bushing; a Porter-Cable style bushing is included.

Common Questions

• How wide of a dado can this jig cut? It can rout dadoes from 3/8 inch up to 1-1/2 inch wide.
• What is the maximum size this model supports? This EWDJ-24-20 version has a maximum capacity of 24-1/2 inches.
• Will it work if my router does not use Porter-Cable style bushings? Yes, Woodpeckers states any 1/2 inch guide bushing and 3/8 inch router bit combination will work.