I’ve searched FWW and this forum for dado set recommendations and the most recent ones seem to be more than 10 years old. Steve Latta reviewed 15 different sets in 2005 (issue #176), recommending the Freud SD508 (best overall) and Infinity Dadonator (best value – out of stock on the Infinity Tools website). Surprisingly the Freud now appears to be cheaper than the Infinity. I’ve also seen mentions of Forrest dado sets as another high quality set. All 3 are $200 and up.
I have no experience with using a dado set so my question is: are these still two good choices for a dado set? There are cheaper ones, but I’d rather get a good quality set that will last instead of a set I’ll have to replace sooner rather than later. I have a Jet Proshop II JPS-10 table saw with a 5/8″ arbor, max dado diam of 8″ and max dado width of 13/16″, and if I understand the Freud specs correctly the SD508 would work.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Replies
I’ve had the Forest set for about two decades and no complaints.
I don’t think you can go wrong with any you mentioned though.
Mike
You won't go wrong with the Freud dado set.
I just recently purchased the Freud set and like it quite a bit.
I had an inexpensive dado set for years, and never used it much. Because, as it turns out, it was crap. I bought the Freud SD508 a couple of years ago, and it's great.
Thanks for the feedback on the Freud set. I find it really interesting that the price has not changed since Steve Latta's review in 2005 - it's still available at $200 from multiple retailers. Go figure.
I've been very impressed with the Dadonator. It is made by Amana & Infinity just puts their logo on it.
I got by for years with Freud, but the first time I used the Dadonator on plywood, I new I was using a superior dado set. That said, admittedly the Freud set was an older one and may have since improved.
Also, for a few bucks more you can be into a Forrest Dado King.
Finally, if the CMT dado set is of the same quality as their router bits, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.
I have the CMT set and I have no complaints.
I have at CMT also and it does a great job, no splintering and a very clean bottom.
I got the Frued 8" SD208S set off Amazon recently for less than $100, have no complaints so far. The SD508 will definitely get you a cleaner cut though.
Probably too late for this but: I have the SD508 and it works well. However, I am planning to upgrade my saw to a Sawstop PCS. Sawstop specifically says that the SD508 is not recommended for their saws, even assuming you install the requisite dado cartridge. Something about the "shoulders" on the blade adding too much mass for blade to stop as quickly as it should when the protection system fires.
I used a Freud 8" set for years and years. Didn't stand up too well to sharpening, tho.
I currently have a Dadonator and a Forrest Dado King.
I can't tell the difference between them.
That said, the Freud will serve you well.
I don't think I have pulled my dado set out once since I got a box joint blade set.
If you find you're doing 1/4 and 1/2 dados most of the time, it's hard to argue with the cut quality.
I think I'm going to give this a try. I've dismissed box joints, and thus box joint blades. But if I have only a couple of tenons or grooves to cut, I usually just nibble with my regular blade -- which is narrow kerf. "Nibbling" with a 3/8 blade, with a really flat bottom, seems much easier.
I still won't make box joints though.
Are your box joint blades the Freud, or something else?
When I replaced my junked old dado rig a few years ago, I went with the box joint rig. Absolutely zero regrets; quite the opposite. Having that square dado with the dead-flat bottom really floats my boat. I have never once used the rig for box joints. I did build a full-size entry door out of vertical grain Doug fir, though, and used the box joint rig for the stiles. Ate it up.
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