Hi,
I need some advice when it comes to Dado blades. I own a 2hp 10″KC contractor saw. I was wondering if I should buy the larger 8″ set. I was told my saw should be able to handle the 8″. Right now I’m using an 8″ Mastercraft dado set and I’ve had no trouble. Only problem is the dado blades don’t cut a nice square bottom with straight sides. I definitely have to replace that dado set with a better quality set.
Freud dado blades are probably the best but they’re much more expensive. The CMT 8″ would cost me $169.00 Canadian. That’s more or less in my price range. How does CMT stack up.. to the Freud dado sets? Wish I could remember the item number on the CMT dado set I was looking at today. I must phone the store tomorrow and find out.
wanda
Replies
Big bang for the buck
My vote would go for the Oshlun dado set.. Perfectly flat bottom with NO "bat ears" in the corners. There are 6 teeth on the chipper blades. So for about $95 it's a "no brainer" No offence to the Forrest fans but I have run them side by side and prefer the Oshlun over the Forrest and the Freud for that matter. So for the serious hobbiest and home use go for the Oshlun and have enough left over to buy another spare Freud rip or cross cut blade.
Bruce - The Oshlun set has beveled teeth on the outside cutters like most decent dado sets, which means it's not possible for it to leave a perfectly flat bottom with absolutely no bat ears. Look closer, they're there on even the best sets.
(pic of an entry side cut with the Oshlun) http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4593/olnk.jpg
(pic of an entry side cut with the DeWalt 7670) http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2284/dwto.jpg
It's worth noting that CMT has more than one dado set. Their cheaper set is pretty similar to the Freud 200 series entry level set....good in the $100 range, but not $170 range IMHO. The DeWalt/Delta set is a great value in the $100 from Grizzly...dunno if you can get that in Canada or not. The better CMT set with 24-tooth cutters and 4-tooth chippers looks to be pretty good, but if I were going to spend that much money, I'd opt for the similar Infinity set that offers 6-tooth chippers instead of 4-tooth chippers, and has similar outside cutters. The Infinity Dadonator is impressive for ~ $180 USD.
Your saw should handle an 8" set with no problem. The only reason I'd even consider a 6" is if it's sufficiently less money.
Images of cuts
Not quite sure where those images came from. But the Oshlin cut sure doesn look like the ones I've cut. My results are like those of the DW cut.
SD200 Pro Dado Set vs Dewalt/delta
Hi,
I'm about to go out and purchase a dado blade set. I was thinking about purchasing the Freud SD200 ProDado Set. ( 8" ). Home Depot is selling it for $140. comes with 12 teeth 5/8" arbor 2 outside blades and (5) 2 wing chippers.
I wonder after reading your post if I"m better off purchasing the Dewalt/delta set. Do you have a model number for that dado set?
I am trying to avoid those "bat ears".
wanda
I would go with the 8" blade,
I would go with the 8" blade, I have a 1.5 hp jet contractors saw and have no problems running an 8" dado blade. The blade I have is a Freud super dado.
Troy
the details
What is going unstated in most discussions of, and specs for dado sets is the saw's ability to "drive" the set and the geometry of the saw itself. The 6" sets are typically aimed at lighter-duty saws. The reality, IMHO, is more related to how deep your dados are. With a 2hp motor on your saw, you shouldn't have a problem with the 8" set. You might, however, be able to get by with the 6" set, too. Just measure the distance between your arbor and your table surface to see how much of the 6" set would be exposed for actual cutting.
Why not invest in a good sharpening specifying that you want the blades sharpened to leave a flat bottom. I suppose there is a tradeoff with blades that aren't otherwise top quality in terms of chip out when dado'ing plywood veneer. .Assuming your current set doesn't need teeth replaced or other significant repairs you could ship it to Forrest and have it sharpened for in the neighborhood of $60 plus $11 shipping. It wouldn't really be of Forrest quality when done, but I'd bet much better than you have now, for a lot less money. Yes they do sharpen non-Forrest blades.
I don't know of any dado sets that don't come with at least a little quirk in the corner unless you specifically ask for it to be ground without it. Even my Forrest has that, though the rest of the bottom is perfectly flat.
Dado Blades
Within the last 2 years I have switched from 8" Oldham dado blades to the 6" Freud dado blades. I can't ever recall needing the full dado depth available with the 8" blades. The smaller sets require less power as well. Also, the Freud set cuts much better cross grain in Oak plywood when cutting shelf dados. The first Freud set worked so good I bought a 2nd set for my shop at our summer cottage.
dado blades
Hi Piker,
I'm seriously considering buying the 6" SD508 by Freud. the crappy dado set I have now is ok for sofwood but boy does it ever leave an uneven bottom. Good thing I have a shoulder plane. I also noticed that they have beveled teeth on the outside cutters.. not sure why I didn't notice that before. Whenever I can I use my router table to make dadoes. I end up with the middle of the dado lower than the outer edges. It's time for an upgrade!
I wrote Freud Canada asking them about the differences between their 8" and 6" sets. here's what they had to say on the matter:
" there is no difference between 6” and 8”…it is only perception and most people that have a 10” table saw stick with the 8” Dado.
wanda
There is more to it
An 8" or even a 10" dado set will stay sharper longer then a smaller set and the kerf changes as well .
The larger set will cut with less effort and have more velocity , just made that up .
Push slow no matter what dado set you use . A 6" blade on your 10" table saw will not out perform the 10".
regards , dusty
Eight inch Freud
I don't know that I've ever used any other sized stacking dado set other than 8". I've used those adjustable "wobbler" dado cutters which is a truly frightening operation.
I currently have two 8" Freud carbide tipped stacking dado sets. The one I paid over $200 decades ago does not work as well as the one I got at HD for around $100 about 2 years ago. I made zero clearance inserts for each 1/8" width which is the key to clean dado cuts. I've not sharpened the newer set yet but it still cuts beautifully even cross grain through hardwood plywood. Both have the little bat's ears in the corners which I like because the glue can migrate.
My 2 cents, Bret
dado blade
Wanda, I know you probably already have a new dado set. I bought a CMT model # 230.024.08 (currently ava. at Amazon.com for $185.00) in 1998 and use it in my shop very frequently. I just this week sent it off to get sharpened and I am extreamly happy with the performance this blade has given me. I know others with the Freud and it does not hold a candle to this CMT blade. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, thus this site, but I very much value the CMTblade I own.
Snakefire
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