Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 26, 2003 08:49pm | #1

   Mark, I'm one of the SD306 owners, and I really like it.  At this point I don't cut zillions of dados, but I've used it in plywood and hard and softwoods and it has performed very, very well.  I'm impressed with how well it fits the arbor and how smooth the bottoms of the cuts are.**  It runs about $125 on Amazon, but I got mine during the Christmas rush a couple of years ago, and it was on sale -- can't remember but might have been as low as $99. 

   The maximum cut on the SD306 is 13/16th, and it's adjustable by .004" increments with shims (purchase those separately, lots of options out there).  That means you can adjust for any plywood from 13/16ths down in size.

   **Saw has to be tuned accurately to 90* though -- any tuning problems will be magnified by a dado cut. 

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

2. 
   woodman300 | Aug 26, 2003 09:40pm | #2

   I have an sd208 which works ok. Why not start with the best. The forrest is the best dado on the market and once you buy it you will need no other.

1. 
   MarkC | Aug 26, 2003 09:51pm | #4

   I know the Forrest is tops but it runs almost twice as much as the Freud.  If I can find a half price sale on one, you better believe I'll pick it up.

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Aug 26, 2003 09:48pm | #3

   Both the SD20x Freud dado and the SD50x are better at cutting veneered plywood. These two are more recent developments and have a negative hook angle that does better on veneer and melimine type materials. The SD30x has a positive hook angle and will cut faster and does a fine job in solid wood and/or in a production use. But, it can leave edge splintering on across grain veneers.

   I have had the SD308 for probably 8-10 years and just purchased the SD508. A couple of magazines have done comparisons in the past year or so and rate both the SD20x and the SD50x very hightly. The SD20x is generally given the "Best Value" award. Wood Magazine was the most recent.

4. 
   jdbutler999 | Aug 26, 2003 10:07pm | #5

   There was a tool comparison a couple of years ago or less.  It might have been in Wood Magazine.  The Frued beat the Forrest in that comparison as I recall.

1. 
   MarkC | Aug 26, 2003 11:46pm | #6

   Which Freud beat the Forrest?  And in performance or value?

   Edited 8/26/2003 4:52:06 PM ET by COLEMAN654

1. 
   jdbutler999 | Aug 27, 2003 05:47am | #7

   I don't remember for certain, but I believe it was both the 6" and 8" but as I recall it was primarily the quality of the cut, particularly the smoothness of the bottom that the Freud won on.  I believe it was in an American Woodworker Issue.  However, this month's issue of Wood Magazine (September 2003) just so happens to have a tool test called "Dado Set Showdown" with a pretty extensive evaluation.  If you are going to spend that much money on a dado, it might be worth the extra five bucks or so to go out and buy a copy.  However, in this tool test, there was a tie for "Top Tool" between the Forrest Dado King and the Freud SD508.  There was also a tie for "Top Value" between the Delta 35-535 and the Freud SD208.  Others may disagree, but I can't see why one would need an 8" because it's more expensive, takes more power to operate, and the larger depth of cut is rarely if ever needed for making dado cuts.  If you have more specific questions, feel free to email me.

   Dan Butler

2. 
   jdbutler999 | Aug 27, 2003 05:50am | #8

   PS.  There are lots of other issues to consider like the number and size of chippers, etc.  If you can't find this issue anywhere, write me at my email address and I will send you or fax you a copy.

   Dan Butler

1. 
   MarkC | Aug 27, 2003 04:25pm | #9

   Thanks Dan