Replies

1. 
   bones | May 17, 2005 04:21pm | #1

   I looked at this set a few months back. There is an issue with shaft length Check their web site. They give the requirements. This only comes into play if you want the maximum width cut (I belive).  My cabinet saw could take the dial-a-width and I narrowed my decision down to that blade and the dado king from Forrest.  In the end, I went with the Dado king. I use Forrest blades on my TS,RAS, and CS. The quality of the Dado King is outstanding. I like the magnetic shims, and it came in a good sturdy case for storage.  I have read good things about the Dial-a-width, and if the shaft of your saw is long enough, the Freud would work.  Good luck on the decision. 

2. 
   joe.roth | May 17, 2005 05:01pm | #2

   I have one of the original Freud dial-a-width's and have enjoyed using for the past 6 years. Adjusting the width of the cut is super easy.

   About 5 years ago they took these dado sets off the market, not sure why, rumor had it it was some kind of saftey issue.

   Finding somebody to sharpen them is a interesting. Last time I had it done, about 3 years ago, Forrest wouldn't touch them.  Now that Freud is making them again I'm sure they have a source.

   Joe

1. 
   jazzdogg | May 17, 2005 10:56pm | #5

   Joe,

   According to their website,  Each "click" of the dial adjusts the blade by .004"

   Unfortunately, I couldn't find where it said the maximum adjustment provided by the dial-a-width mechanism.

   Do you know how many "clicks" of .004" each their mechanism provides? In other words, how much can you expand the width of the dado before you have to add a chipper?

   Thanks,-Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   joe.roth | May 18, 2005 05:05pm | #7

   jazzdogg

   The maximum number of clicks making the dado set wider is 16. At this maximum the teeth on the outer blade still over lap the first chipper.

   In the time I've owned this dado set I've never had it not adjust to a given width of cut up to the max.

   Woof

   Joe

1. 
   jazzdogg | May 18, 2005 06:18pm | #8

   OK. So, 16 x .004 ~ 1/16"

    

   Arf!!!

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

   Edited 5/18/2005 11:22 am ET by jazzdogg

3. 
   HowardAcheson | May 17, 2005 07:28pm | #3

   From Freud:

   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).

   Or stated another way, arbor length for full width of dado set is 1 1/8" plus the thickness of the nut.

   Howie.........
4. 
   forestgirl | May 17, 2005 07:44pm | #4

   Francois, the Freud Dial-a-Width is a stacked dado.  An important distinction between it and the "wobble" style dialing dados.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

5. 
   SRToolguy | May 18, 2005 06:41am | #6

   The Freud Dial-A-Width dado set, as Forrest Girl points out, is a staked dado set that has been designed to eliminate the need for shims and still give the smoothest possible bottom cut. It certainly appears safer than a wobble dado and definitly easier on the arbor bearings. It won't fit on some of the older contractor saws but will fit most of the newer ones. I would not recommend it for a table saw (portable) and doubt if it would fit.

    

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy