Replies

1. 
   Sancho | Jun 26, 2002 06:38am | #1

   I have the Delta Platinum Contractors. I use the the delta 8" stacked dado. No probs. Does everything I want it to. But I did see my bud use his systematic once WOW it was nice. I going to get my delta sharpened, my man manny, and see what happens. A good sharpening guy can do wonders.

    Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"

1. 
   JIML639 | Jun 26, 2002 05:33pm | #4

   Ron:

   Thanks for the info. I'll look at Systematic -as well as delta.

   Jim

1. 
   TJinFL | Jun 26, 2002 05:55pm | #5

   I bought the Freud 8" SD208 for about $90 and have been happy with it....

2. 
   forestgirl | Jun 26, 2002 07:53am | #2

   I'm a fan of the Freud dado sets (specifically the Safety Dado, which is the one I have experience with).  They've gotten good customer reviews, and they're come at a good (reasonable) price.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   JIML639 | Jun 26, 2002 05:31pm | #3

   Dave:

   Thanks. My inclination was to go with the 8" blade. I don't intend to overwork it however.

   Jim

4. 
   sschefer | Jun 26, 2002 08:31pm | #6

   I bought the Delta 8" set and a set of magnetic shims. The bottom of the dado requires cleanup if you're a perfectionist. I've run it full width on my Jet Contractors saw and only had a power problem once when cutting some gun stock walnut. But then my Forrest II wood wrecker had a tough time with it also. Most of the time its in on my RAS.. I've been doing a ton of Melamine and MDF cabinet work and for this it works great. I've never had it sharpened but suspect it should be.

   By the way, if you are expecting a super clean dado from a dado set, dont. Use a router instead.

   Steve - in Northern California

5. 
   EdwardW4 | Jun 26, 2002 09:47pm | #7

   I have both a 6" (Delta) and an 8" (Freud) dado set that I use in my Unisaw. I had the 6" set first, and needed the 8" for a special application. I still use the 6" most of the time, it seems to cut smoother. I need the 8" for finger joints in 5/4 (or thicker) lumber. They both cut the same thickness dado, but the 8" gives greater depth.

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jun 26, 2002 11:19pm | #8

   I have the 6" CMT and am happy with it.  I would have gotten the 8" but it wasn't in stock and I needed it that day.  There's been a few times the 8" would have come in handy where I could have used a sled but the blade wouldn't reach.  Get the 8".  Besides the 4 tooth 1/8" chippers CMT includes a 1/16" and a 3/32" chipper, which makes it easy to match plywood thickness.  The bottoms of the dados are pretty smooth, but not perfect.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

1. 
   badoyn | Jun 27, 2002 12:01am | #9

   I have the Jesada Joint Master 8" set. I find it great and it includes colored shims and a chart to help set the most common widths quickly.

6. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 27, 2002 07:15pm | #10

   Gee Dave, I'm glad I didn't know that when I put an 8" dado on my Delta Contractor Saw 10-12 years ago. Seriously, so far it has never bogged down in anything I have cut, cherry, oak, maple, etc.

   Even cutting to pretty much the full depth has been no problem.

7. 
   JSchoenberg | Jun 28, 2002 04:39am | #11

   Forrest IMHO is the best.

   JIm