CMT recently introduced this 12-tooth 8-in.-dia. dado-blade set, which can cut dadoes up to 13/16 in. wide. I gave each one a cutting test in my shop. As a basis for comparison to other dado blades, I followed the procedure used by Steve Latta when he evaluated 15 dado sets in FWW #176. I tested each blade by cutting melamine and veneer plywood. The plywood was cut across the grain of the face veneer. I made up samples of each material, 3/4 in. thick by 12 in. wide by 16 in. long. I then set up the dado set to cut a 3/4-in.-wide by 1/4-in.-deep dado with each pass, making 22 passes on each sample of material for a total of 44 cuts with each blade. I evaluated each cut for tearout on the face of the material and whether the bottom of the cut was flat and smooth, including scoring at the corners. There was some tearout on both the plywood and the melamine, but none when I slowed down the feed rate. The overall flatness of the cuts was very good, and there was no scoring.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Forrest Woodworker II Blade
A high quality, staple blade for your table saw. With 48 teeth, it is suitable for both ripping and crosscutting.
This is the saw I want in my shop. For one, it’s easy to use. All of the controls are easy to reach and manipulate, and the glide mechanism is both robust and smooth. The handle works well for righties and lefties. Then there are added bonuses that no other saw has. For instance, its hold-down is superb, as it can move to different locations, hinges for a greater range of coverage, and actually holds down the work. In addition, the saw has two points of dust collection, letting it firmly beat the rest of the field. The one downside was the saw’s laser, which was so faint we had to turn off the shop lights to see it. Still, all these pluses in a package that fits tight to the wall? That’s a winner for me.
The thick, felted bag on this Shop Fox is a plus and a minus. On one hand, it makes the unit much less expensive than collectors with canister filters, and also lighter and easier to hang on the wall. Without a separate plastic bag to catch chips, however, they stay in the felt bag, and the shortish zipper on the bottom makes it tough to shake them out. Otherwise, the W1826 is an excellent value.
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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