Replies

1. 
   miserybob | Dec 07, 2009 09:27pm | #1

   I have the Dial-a-width and I love it.  I'm a hobbyist, so I'm not cutting dado after dado, but the 'dial' is a great feature.  If my test dado is too tight, I just unplug the saw, take off the plate, loosen the nut a bit, click the dial once or twice, tighten the nut and go. 

   Cuts nice, clean dadoes every time.

2. 
   blewcrowe | Dec 07, 2009 09:32pm | #2

   I never found the dial a width to be accurate enough (it's what I originally had). Had to keep playing with it to get it just right. I switched to a Forrest (6" set) and never looked back.

    

   Denny

3. 
   Knotscott | Dec 08, 2009 12:25am | #3

   It's not likely that the DAW will fit on your arbor fully expanded, but even if it did, accuracy is apparantly the biggest difference between those two...the tooth configuration is the same.

   You didn't ask for alternative suggestions, but I feel strongly enough about this one that I'll suggest it anyway.  The Infinity Dadonator is my 4th good dado set and is easily the best of those.  (The others were an SD208, DeWalt DW7670, and the $300 Systimatic SFINE42).  The Dadonator is made with high precision and premium materials like the SD508 and Forrest are, but has benefit of 6-tooth chippers vs 4-tooth, and the outside cutters have a steep ATB grind with rakers to reduce the effects of bat ears....it's really pretty amazing.  On sale for $190 shipped.

   I'm sure you'll be pleased with any of those mentioned so far...hope you have a Merry Christmas!

    

    

   
   

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   Edited 12/7/2009 4:27 pm ET by Knotscott

1. 
   Taigert | Dec 08, 2009 02:13am | #4

   Dadonator, that is a nice design. I had never come across one or even heard abouy it till I read your post.

   I have the Forrest & Delta 7640 same as the DeWalt. When I first went to use the Delta they of such a tight tolerence that I had to clean the protective coating out of the arbor hole.

   Taigert

4. 
   Nick54 | Dec 08, 2009 06:14pm | #5

   I have the SD 608 and would not part with it. I would recommend that if you purchase a stack set of any kind you consider buying a set of magnetic shims as they can be positioned so as not to slip down in between the threads of the arbor and get bent.

   
   

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   Edited 12/8/2009 10:15 am ET by Nick54

5. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 08, 2009 07:58pm | #6

   From a cutting point of view, there is no difference between the Dial A Width SD60x and the SD50x. The blades and therefore the cutting is exactly the same.

   The difference is in the ease of making slight adjustments to width. The Dial A Width is easier and faster but you pay for the convenience.

   As to your saw, here is the info Freud publishes regarding arbor length. The hub takes up 7/32" of arbor so the calculation is: Total Arbor Length - 7/32" - Nut Thickness = Maximum Dado Width (up to the manufacturer's stated maximum width). Arbor length is 1 1/8 plus the thickness of the nut.

   Howie.........
6. 
   troys | Dec 09, 2009 06:09am | #7

   I have the SD508 and have been very happy with it. So I don't think you can go wrong either way.

   Troy

7. 
   zgmc | Dec 09, 2009 05:34pm | #8

   If you are willing to spend the money, buy the Forrest set. I have had a couple sets of freud dado blades, they do not compare with Forrest.

8. 
   popawheelie | Dec 09, 2009 06:24pm | #9

   Does the Dial-a-width type dado sets give you a flat bottom?

   I thought they didn't.

   "There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."
   Will Rogers
1. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 09, 2009 07:42pm | #10

   >>> Does the Dial-a-width type dado sets give you a flat bottom?Yes, it's exactly the same dado as the Freud SD50x. It just has the adjustable hub to make it easier to adjust dado widths.Howie.........

1. 
   popawheelie | Dec 09, 2009 07:51pm | #11

   Good. I thought that issue might help the poster decide. But I guess not."There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."Will Rogers

2. 
   Knotscott | Dec 09, 2009 09:04pm | #12

   I guess we need to define "flat" to be clear. All the top dado sets I know of have bevel top teeth on the outside cutters that slant from outside in. This is intentional to reduce tearout. The beveled tip of the tooth protrudes slightly beyond the flat chippers and leaves tiny grooves on the outside edges...we often refer to these as "batears". The depth of the groove varies depending on the particular design and angle used....some use a flat raker in between the beveled teeth to reduce the effect of the bat ears, but are still there if you look closely. "Perfectly flat" is a misnomer the vast majority of the time.

   
1. 
   popawheelie | Dec 09, 2009 11:24pm | #13

   I'm not sure if my dado set is flat or not. It's been a long time since I've used it.

   I think I read in an early FWW about flatening a dado set in the shop.

   It must have been a steel blade.

   You put all your blades on and hold a stone to them while they are spinning.

   Then you mark your blades and the arbor shaft so you always put them on the same way.

   I read that a long time ago. I think the term is called striking a blade.

   By the way, I'm a frequent flyer over at FHB but out forum is down.

    "There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."Will Rogers

9. 
   erich | Dec 10, 2009 05:49am | #14

   Hi everyone,

   Thanks for all of the great advice so far.  I'll take another look at the Dadonator and the Forrest set but if I go for the Freud I'll probably stick to the shimmed stack and look for the magnetic shims (they sound very handy).  If anyone else wants to chime in I'm all ears!  Cheers...

   Erich

10. 
    JeffHeath | Dec 11, 2009 01:05am | #15

    Erich
    You are quibbling over $50 to $100. Assuming you are not a professional, this is an item you are going to buy ONCE in your lifetime, and you'll have it forever.

    I bought my Dado King from Forrest about 12 years ago. It is the best in the industry.....PERIOD! Spend the extra $100 on this and you will never look back on the decision. None of the others compare. BTW, I have the 8" version. It comes complete with shims, and skinny blades to accomodate the bullcrap skinny versions of what the Chinese calls plywood today, available (at your own risk) at any home center today.

    Jeff

1. 
   Knotscott | Dec 11, 2009 02:08am | #16

   "It is the best in the industry.....PERIOD! Jeff - When I read comments like that, I immediately wonder how you know? At $150-$300 a pop, it's difficult to try more than one. Sometimes we think the first really good premium (fill in tool here) is the only good one....usually not true. If the Forrest offered 6 tooth chippers as opposed to the current 4, as a matter of physics it would cut cleaner than it does.

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 11, 2009 02:22am | #17

   How I know is out of actual use, not from a written review. I had my own cabinetshop for over 20 years (closing it now, as we speak.) I also worked (moonlighting) in another local shop, who had the Freud setup in one saw, and the Systimatic in another. They were dedicated saws set up for 3/4" and 1/2" dado's, respectively. I mentioned to the shop owner, and actually brought my Dado King in once so he could see the difference. The Forrest setup produced cleaner cuts, and stayed sharper much longer than either set, according to my actual use.I haven't tried your dadonator, so I can't speak for it. I'll stand by comments though. The Forrest Dado King is the best set available, in my opinion.Yours may vary.JeffEdit: I'm a bit feisty lately......maybe I should have just stated this to the OP. "Buy the Forrest Dado King, you won't regret it!"Fair enough?

   Edited 12/10/2009 6:25 pm ET by JeffHeath

1. 
   Knotscott | Dec 11, 2009 03:00am | #18

   Your opinion is well respected here Jeff. I've been a Forrest fan for a number of years so I have no doubt that the Dado King is excellent...possibly even the "best"!It's worth noting that both Freud and Systimatic have multiple dado sets at different price points....all of them quite good at their respective price points. Its possible to use an entry level set without realizing that it's not best set that a particular brand sells.

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 11, 2009 03:25am | #19

   Precisely why I really like Forrest blades. They don't sell good blades, better blades, and best blades. They put the same dedication into every blade they make. Back when I was able to sell cabinet and furniture jobs, I was quite busy, and had two saws set up in the shop just so I didn't have to change setups. I presently own 4 Woodworker II's, the Dado King, and a 12" Chopmaster. At the time, I also had an Oliver 12" saw with a 12" blade from Forrest. They all were equally excellent, and they gave the cleanest cut I have ever been able to produce with any blade.Perhaps I should consider a career selling for Forrest, huh? ha ha ha.....Happy Holidays,Jeff

11. 
    DaveinPa | Dec 11, 2009 07:09pm | #20

    spend the $200 on the shimmed version (SD508)*******

    I have the same one and have no complaints and use it all the time. Just make a zero clearance insert for the widths you use constantly.

12. 
    larry101 | Dec 11, 2009 08:16pm | #21

    I am a newbie and i have the Freud 8 in. 12 Tooth Dado Pro from Sears on sale for $99.00.

    Although it comes with shims for the odd sizes the typical blade combinations work fine for me.  There may be a reason to spend more but this set is doing ok with me. 

     

    Humble newbie