I have a 10″ Craftsman table saw; 3hp; 15 amps; 5000 rpm max (no load) speed, universal motor. I got it on a christmas special last year at Sears for about $200. My dado blade is an 8″ Harbour Freight “Liftime” stacked dado blade, that has “4500rpm maximum speed” written on the blade. I need to cut some 1/2 inch finger joints on 1/2 inch oak stock. In re-reading the table saw manuel last night, I noticed that it says to use a 6″ dado blade. Assuming plenty of clearance on the saw,(I have attached it to the saw and it fits ok. I just haven’t turned it on yet.) do you think I will have problems using this 8″ blade. I am hoping that someone may have some experience with this that will be helpful. Naturally I do not want to take risks, especially with a table saw, but do you think that the manuel is just being overly cautious in recommending a 6″ dado blade on a 10″ saw? And what about the rpm issue (I am not quite as concerned about that.)
Thanks for any help.
Frank
Replies
If you got it for $200 it's definitely not a 3HP machine. It's what Craftsman wierdly refers to as 'developing 3HP'. I'm sure that what they're probably concerned about is the machine stalling out if you tried to plow a dado at the maximum depth and width that the dado stack would allow. Max depth with an 8" stack is likely to stall on your machine, whereas max on a 6" is do-able. Since you're not going to the max depth anyway (only 1/2" deep), this shouldn't be a problem, assuming no clearance issues underneath the table-top.
Frank, D..2cat's response is on point. There is another factor at play here as well: the weight of the 8" stack is significantly heavier than the 6" and start load on a very weak motor, which your's is, is substantially higher. You can blow the circuit breaker and you risk some motor meltdown.
Doug
Frank
I disagree that things should be fine, if the blade sez max 4500 RPM and your saw operates at 5000 RPM there is nothing that sez anything will for sure happen, but why take the chance you are just playing with an accident waiting to happen.
Scott T.
I run an 8" Systi-Matic dado set on my 10" Craftsman saw with no problems.
My only concern with your setup would be with that Harbor Freight dado set. I've never been very impressed with HF tools and suspect that the 4500 rpm limit may be based on balance issues.
You may want to test it by mounting the dado with all the chippers and lowering it below the table top. If it turns freely by hand, lay a board over the table and 'bump' the switch. If you don't hear any demolition, go ahead and start the saw but be ready to shut it off if you get any 'excessive' vibration.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled