Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - Printable Version +- Woodnet Forums (https://www.forums.woodnet.net) +-- Thread: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? (/showthread.php?tid=7344433) |
Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - SpiderDave - 11-17-2018 Hey there! I was hoping the 'Woodnet Think Tank' could recommend me a brand of 8" Dado Blade to look into? (for a 10" table saw) Like many will say, "I'm looking for something that'll last and do a great job." "I'm not afraid to pay a little more for quality, but at same time not have to break the bank going over kill." I'll be using it to make joints on projects from small boxes to dresser drawers and other furniture, if that helps? Small to larger joints. I was wondering if that can be done with a single set? Is it better to have two sets that specialize in a certain range of sizes? I'll be using it for soft and hard woods alike. Do I need different choices to pick form like having multiple Band Saw or Scroll Saw Blades for the job? I don't even know? I'd just like clean cuts and for a sharp edge that'll last. Also, I'll be using it for soft woods to hard woods alike. I've always winged it with what I had, never actually owning a Dado blade before. Figured its about time to check that off my bucket list and do it the right way. I don't know what I want or what to look for? It's overwhelming how much is out there, and I don't know where's a good pace to begin with is. I was hoping even among brand names or internet site suggestions. If someone felt like educating me, including the pros & cons of different types or designs, what to look for compared to others out there, what to avoid, etc. I am here to learn as much as I possibly can. I'd be very grateful for what it's worth, And of course, pass it on and help the next person as well. Thanks in advance, take care all. RE: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - Wild Turkey - 11-17-2018 Here's Holbren's collection from $130 to $225. How good do you want? https://www.holbren.com/?p=catalog&mode=search&search_str=dado%20blades&search_in=all I've gone through several dado sets before I got a good one from them. The "wobble" type are ok if all you want is notches in a 2x4 for rough carpentry. I never trusted the one I had and sold it "barely used." Got a Freud 6" stack type that was pretty good but when I got my Unisaw I upgraded to a good 8" from Holben and still grin when I use it. Smooth, precise, fairly easy to set up. The more teeth on the "kickers" the smoother the cut but the more power it takes to spin it -- I had a contractor's saw and it had a real problem starting when I tried to use the 8" dado for a 3/4" cut. Unisaw does not have that problem Yes, you can get a good cut with the $100 sets but you'll get more cleaner cuts with the $200 set RE: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - chips ahoy - 11-18-2018 I have the Freud set and have had no issues with them. Mel RE: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - MichaelMouse - 11-18-2018 (11-18-2018, 10:20 AM)chips ahoy Wrote: I have the Freud set and have had no issues with them. Me too. Though box joints are much easier and repeatable with a router table. https://www.routerworkshop.com/boxjoints.html RE: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - jasfrank - 11-18-2018 I like the systematic set I have had for ages. But there are many good brand choices. Spend from $50 to $500 as you see fit. You want something with good flat plates and plenty of carbide so they can ne sharpened a few times before needing to buy another set. What annoys me the most are the shims. The thin ones will get caught in the arbor threads and make assembly and disassembly a pita. They are steel in mine, I see lots use plastic now. I am not sure whats the better choice. RE: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - mdhills - 11-18-2018 I quite liked the delta/dewalt 8” dado set; better than the 6” Freud I also tried. Matt RE: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - Ray Newman - 11-18-2018 How "big" is your 10" saw? I have heard that some of the bench top/portable table saws will not accept a dado set as the arbor is too short. SawStop's braking system requires an 8" dado set. Many years ago, I ran an old Delta 34-444 10" contractors saw with a 1.5 HP motor, with dedicated 110 volt power supply. Would easily "swing" a 6" dado set, but would bog down/stall with an 8" dado. Later, it was re-wired for a dedicated 220 volt supply and it would handle the 8" set, but at not too deep a depth of cut. My ol' Uni-saw was 3 HP/220 volt and easily handled an 8" set. After buying a dado set, install it for a maximum width cut and make several test cuts to determine if all the chippers and cutters are the same diameter and cutting the same depth. From what I experienced and heard/hear others say, the more economical dado sets often will not cut a uniform depth. Have no idea if a uniform cut depth if warranted by manufacturers. If not, try to exchange the set, or send the set out for sharpening, having the set re-ground to the same diameter. When re-sharpening a dado set, send out the entire set to be re-ground to maintain the uniform depth of cut. The width of the dado is variable and limited by the cutters width and number of chippers installed on the saw. Maximum width is approximately 7/8" for most sets. For a wider dado, reposition the work. I run either a Delta or Forrest8" carbide dado set. My preference is for the Forrest set. A quick on-line tutorial: https://www.instructables.com/id/Setting-up-a-Stacked-Dado-Blade/ RE: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - SpiderDave - 11-18-2018 (11-18-2018, 12:43 PM)Ray Newman Wrote: How "big" is your 10" saw? RE: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - SpiderDave - 11-18-2018 (11-17-2018, 09:19 PM)Wild Turkey Wrote: Here's Holbren's collection from $130 to $225. How good do you want? RE: Recommendations for a Dado Blade? - Pirate - 11-18-2018 DW7670 DeWalt works great for me. Has a great case to keep blades organized. Has a nice chart to select required blades, chippers and shims. |