Try it this way:
 
Assemble the hive body / super first.  Set your tablesaw fence
for the distance you want from the top of the box to the
handhold.  Clamp A stop block to each end of the fence so as to
center the dado cut in the length of the box and allow maybe an
extra inch of cut.  You'll need two sets of stop blocks, one
set spaced for the ends, about 18" apart, and one set for the
sides, about 22" apart, both centered at the center of the
blade.
 
Stand to the side of the saw and, holding the box by the ends,
hold one end against the stop block at the infeed end, lower
the side into the turning blade, then move the box to the other
stop block and lift it straight up and off. Turn the box over
and cut the other side, and repeat until you've cut the sides
of all your boxes.  Then change the stop blocks and cut the
ends.
 
It's really a simpler procedure the it looks when it's
explained as above.  The stop blocks reduce the likelihood of
kickback and standing to the side puts you out of the way.
Holding the assembled box by the ends as you cut the sides,
etc., keeps your hands well away from the blade.  Works for me.
 
Happy woodworking,
 
Fred
 
 
of According to Don Bowen:
>
> >it. Being that the hive body is or should be 7/8" in thickness I set the
> >Dado's to 5/8" in depth.  With the saw running I slowly lower the panel
> >over the dado within the jig untill flat with the table top.  Then I lift
> >it off and all's done.  Some of the oldtimers will say that this is not a
>
> This is known as a plunge cut and is extremly dangerous on a table saw.
> This is because the cutting action of the tool is back towards the operator.
> Make a jig that holds the bottom edge of the board such that it cannot be
> thrown toward the operator.  Also be sure that as you lower the board that
> if it does catch, it will not drag fingers into the blade.  You cannot
> depend on reaction time, the jig must do the protecting.
>
>     Don Bowen                      [log in to unmask]
>     Valley Center, CA              Senior Software Engineer
>     Bee Point acres                Smith Automation Systems, inc
>     USDA Zone 9, Sunset Zone 21    [log in to unmask]
>     33 16' 04 N  116 59' 19 W
>
>     organic gardener, woodworker, beekeeper, reader
>     1936 Farmall 12         1966 Corvair Corsa 140 Convertible
>     1 wife, 3 kids, 2 dogs, 3 cats, 2 acres, no TV
>