Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | May 29, 2006 02:38am | #1

   Probably not.  Here is the formula to determine the size dado you can cut.

   Arbor length - nut thickness - 7/32" (hub thickness) = max dado width.

   Howie.........
2. 
   mapleman | May 29, 2006 07:11am | #2

   Wanda,

   The freud dial-a-width dados run about $269-$299 for the 6 and 8 inch versions, respectively.

   Lee

3. 
   forestgirl | May 29, 2006 07:23pm | #3

   Wanda, Charles from Freud can give you an exact answer to your question.  You can go to this thread click on his name and email him.  Or you can just watch this thread -- I'm sure he will see it and respond promptly.

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

4. 
   BruceS | May 30, 2006 01:41am | #4

   Wanda,  If you give me a call @ 1-800-872-2511 and ask for Bruce in customer service, I'll give you an answer I'll be there between 10A/6P EDST. I don't have the total width with me at home.  There have been problems with some contractor arbor lengths. Our price for the 8" dial a dado is $249.99.

   The Freud www site doesn't give those specs. I just checked.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

5. 
   charlesm | May 30, 2006 06:07pm | #5

   Wanda,

   Howard has the right formula to check the max size you can stack on your saw (unless the saw's user manual states a size smaller). The adjusting hub takes up 7/32" of the arbor length.

   Charles M

   Freud America, Inc.

1. 
   DougU | May 30, 2006 09:43pm | #6

   Charles

   You mention that the hub takes up 7/32", I assume that you still stack as needed and the hub is what makes it adjustable?

   I have the 508 and can manage with that so the adjustability doesnt really appeal to me. Translation, got other places that require my money!

   Some of the portable/contractor table saws state that stacked dados are not recomended. I think some saws only allow a 6" stack.

   My portable Bosch is one that can.

   Doug

    

1. 
   charlesm | May 30, 2006 10:35pm | #7

   Doug,You assume correctly - 7/32" is the amount the hub would add to a stack dado width. And you are also correct that not all saws accept stacked dado sets and quite a few are limited to 6" diameter. Even for those that can accept 8" dadoes I generally recommend 6" for the ones that run on 120v for the reduced power demand.
   Charles M

   Freud America, Inc.

1. 
   storme | May 31, 2006 03:04am | #8

   Charles, can you advise me on 6" vs 8"? I have a Bosch 4000 contactor saw and would like the 8" because the increased depth is useful for the kinds of projects I do. I do outdoor projects (gates, fences, etc) and I'll be cutting mostly redwood. Is it possible/safe to use the 8" dado set if I take it easy on the feed rate? Or am I asking for trouble.

1. 
   charlesm | May 31, 2006 03:20pm | #9

   If the manufacturer indicates that the saw will accept an 8" dado then obviously you can run one but more passes may be required than with a 6" to achieve the same cut. The 8" requires 33% more torque than the 6".
   Charles M

   Freud America, Inc.

2. 
   storme | May 31, 2006 04:37pm | #10

   thanks for the reply, I don't think the Bosch 4000 manual gives any guidance on dado blades - I'll check again but the literature that comes with is limited. I can contact Bosch though.

3. 
   DougU | Jun 02, 2006 07:28am | #11

   storme

   I use the 8" on my Bosch 4000, I know others that do so and I belive that Bosch OK's the use of a 8" stacked dado on there saw.

   You better check the latter, I would never admit to actually reading the info that came with a tool!

   Doug

4. 
   storme | Jun 02, 2006 08:42am | #12

   much obliged - I keep hearing warnings about stacked dados on light weight saws so I've been concerned. My use is on the light end of things so it sounds like it'd work fine so long as I don't push it.