Replies

1. 
   DougF | Aug 26, 2006 05:34pm | #1

   Mark,

   Some smaller tables saws can not handle an 8" stack dado so be sure you have sufficient hp, else consider a 6" set which is also less expensive.  Also, some saw arbors do not have sufficient length to handle much more than a 1/2" stack so if you haven't already, you might want  double-check how much you can mount on the arbors before you make a purchase.  If the arbor is limited, you may want to consider some of the newer adjustable dadoes (wobble dadoes).  There is little disadvantage to a 6" stack unless you have a need to make really deep plows. 

   My dado of choice was the Freud super stack, but in fairness I have not used other brands.   Mine has received a real workout for the past 7 years and is only now getting to the point that it needs sharpening.

   Doug

1. 
   mark_k | Aug 26, 2006 05:58pm | #2

   Thanks, just dug up the specs and it looks like 6" is what I need, with a 13/16 width max. The Freud set is looking better by the minute.I also just talked to my dad about the wobble blades. He's used one and really likes it. His main reason was because he can set any width he wants, where as a stacked set would be in increments. I did "hear" that the wobble blades don't make as clean as a cut (or flatter bottom) as a stacked set would.

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 26, 2006 07:05pm | #3

   I'd encourage not to think in terms of a "beginner's dado set."  Get the Freud, it'll perform excellently for you at a reasonable price. Which model are you looking at?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   mark_k | Aug 26, 2006 07:53pm | #4

   I found the Freud 6" Professional Dado Set (SD206) at the Rockler website, although i'll probably try to find it at that big box store with the blue logo. (My 3yr old loves going there, especially since i've started buying him real tools.)http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=2366The teeth on it look rather odd, almost like there's a rake behind each tooth, kinda like a chainsaw. Is this a good thing?

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 26, 2006 10:28pm | #6

   That tooth design is part of the anti-kickback configuration, IIRC.  I have the set that's more like this one at Amazon (older, not in stock now evidently).  Can't remember the model number.

   Are you sure you can spring another $120 and get this one.?  I doubt you'd ever want to replace it.  It's a true stacked dado, but dials for width adjustment.  forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   mark_k | Aug 26, 2006 11:02pm | #7

   "I doubt you'd ever want to replace it. " Uh, i don't know if i'm ready for that level of a committment. :)I'll definately be getting a Freud set though. All the reviews had good things to say of the quality (as long as it fit the saw).Thanks,
   -Mark

3. 
   forestgirl | Aug 27, 2006 06:16am | #8

   "Uh, i don't know if i'm ready for that level of a committment. :)"  ROFL!  That was funny!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Aug 27, 2006 08:12am | #12

   Evening FG...

   Speaking of Freud, guess who I ran into today at the IWF Show here in Atlanta. I asked another Freud rep who Charles was. He pointed him out and he was standing in the rear of their set-up with another rep and a young lady behind the desk. I saundered up to the desk and intentionally and stared at the other rep with puzzlement.

   "May I help you sir"?, the other rep ask. Without ever looking in Charles direction even though beside him I said "yes, I am with the IRS and I understand you have a Charles working  this show". "No Charles with Freud" came a reply from the gentleman standing beside me as we all had a good laugh and I idenified myself.

   Nice little conversation as very nice and very well versed on his Freud product. I moved on as it's a Very Big Show and you could never see it all even in 4 days IMO.

   Regards...

   SARGE..

5. 
   forestgirl | Aug 27, 2006 06:24pm | #13

   You got to meet Charles?!!!!  Well ain't you the lucky dog!!!  Too funny what you did, just too funny.  Cool too that the show is in your back yard.  Don't know if we'll ever get to that part of the country, but if we do we'll have to schedule it right.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

6. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Aug 27, 2006 06:51pm | #14

   Again, very nice as all the Freud people at the show were. A lot of the "showers" can't immediately grab a potential customer to answer questions as they are spread to thin in coverage if several people show up at once. I didn't count them, but Freud had a number of reps sitting in a three point stance ready to take care of business.

   And I did get to touch the new "Silver Ice" blade. So, you might say I got to touch the "King", IMO. When I first walked into the Freud display, the Silver Ice was displayed dead center. I walked up to the display and a rep immediately ask if he could be of help. "Is this the new Silver Ice"? "Yes-sir was the reply". I grabbed my heart and back-stepped as if I were going to faint with a big "Whoooooooooaaaaaaaa". That got a chuckle from him.

   The IWF is in Atlanta every other year. Next year the big show will be in Vegas and even though not as large as the Atlanta IWF, it's more than you can handle.

   BTW.. I would keep my eyes on Steel City. Couldn't get a concrete answer, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a riving knife show up somewhere in the next several business quarters. But... that is based on strickly reading between the lines so consider it here-say as the proof is always still in the puddin'.

   Also.. Freud is out of HIgh Point, N.C. just up the road. I think I might have to mosey up that way occassionally to check their "dumpster" out back to see what might show up. ha.. ha... 

   Regards for a lovely Sunday in the Great Pacific NW...

   SARGE..

   Edited 8/27/2006 11:55 am ET by SARGEgrinder47

7. 
   forestgirl | Aug 27, 2006 07:04pm | #15

   "Freud is out of HIgh Point, N.C."  If we did go back east, it would partly be to visit N.C.  That's where my family is from, grandaddy retired to his gentleman's farm outside of Greensboro when I was quite young.  I have no desire whatsoever to visit Las Vegas, LOL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

8. 
   charlesm | Aug 29, 2006 03:16pm | #22

   Mark,The SD206 would be a great dado for you and the SD506 is even better but I don't think you will have enough arbor length for the SD606. As Forestgirl said, the protrusions behind the teeth are limiters to reduce the effect of kickback and they do perform the same function that their counterparts on chainsaws perform.Sarge,It was good to meet you at the show. Especially after learning that you aren't actually with the IRS! I had a LOT of cyber woodworking buddies from this and other forums stop by and I really enjoy putting faces with the names.Forestgirl,I live just outside Greensboro at the airport. You definitely need to let me know when you will be in town!
   Charles M

   Freud America, Inc.

9. 
   forestgirl | Aug 29, 2006 07:07pm | #23

   Hi Charles.  I really hope to get back there in the next couple of years.  My grandaddy was a postman (in High Point I think), but his retirement farm was outside of Greensboro.  You can bet I'll let you know when a trip is scheduled!!!

   Ain't Sarge a kick....forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

10. 
    polarsea1 | Aug 27, 2006 06:34am | #9

    Mark, Freud makes good dado sets but right now I think the best deal going is the 8" Dewalt set. The chippers have four cutters, the shims are metal and nicely marked. Good case. Just an all around nice set for 99.00 at Amazon where you can also read the good reviews.

11. 
    SARGEgrinder47 | Aug 27, 2006 07:57am | #11

    I have had the Freud SD 206 6" I believe for several years. As just mentioned, it has the 1/32". It's very good.

    Is it as quick to set up as the dial em? Nope.. but it's a lot less expensive also. When you make a set-up for the 3/4" or any frequent size you use to dado, make notes in your note-pad as to exactly what combination of thicknesses you used. It will save immense time in the future set-ups.

    I found the instruction sheet included to be slightly off in what they called for in a set-up. Practice in scrap till you get dead on what you want and then the notes you take will give you the duplication. And as the notorious Sgain D. (Richard Jones) has commented a lot of times, you don't have to make dadoes the same thickness as your stock. As long as the male and female mate, it will get er done.

    Regards...

    SARGE..

12. 
    Troy | Aug 28, 2006 08:32am | #17

    Another thing that I just remembered, when I got my dado blade I was not getting the with of cuts that the instructions said I would (cuts were wider) I finally figured out that the blade had a coating of lacquer that effected the thickness. After cleaning that of things worked much better. Any way hope that helps.Troy

13. 
    SARGEgrinder47 | Aug 28, 2006 04:36pm | #18

    You probably have an excellent point Troy. At this point, I have the secret formula for getting the correct thickness "with lacquer" locked in my dado set case. ha.. ha...

    But.. your point should stick in the mind of anyone who purchases a dado set regardless of what brand as sometimes little over-looked details make a big difference in a final result.

    Regards...

    SARGE..

2. 
   Homebuilder1 | Aug 26, 2006 08:09pm | #5

   Hey Mark K,

   I just discovered the Micro Fence system and have been using my laminate trimmer combined with a Pro-Grip fence guide to do my dado's in 3/4" Birch plywood. I must say I'm very impressed!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great system .... it is pricey but very precise and a system that I'll use for many years. I like it MUCH better than wrestling a sheet of plywood across my tablesaw to cut dado's.

    

   Good Luck!

   http://www.microfence.com

3. 
   Troy | Aug 27, 2006 07:11am | #10

   I have a Freud 8" super dado (model #608 I think) and have been really happy with it I use it on a Jet contractors saw and have had no problems. One of the nice things about the super dado is that it has a 3/32 chipper which makes it easier to work with plywood. Take a look at E-bay I have seen this one show up from time to time. Either way a good dado set for the money.

   Troy

4. 
   JasonWhite | Aug 28, 2006 04:43am | #16

   I have the DeWalt 8" dado set.  It works great and costs about $200.

   TF

   Toolfanatic (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak")
5. 
   MRGreer | Aug 28, 2006 06:25pm | #19

   There really isn't such a thing as a "beginner" dado set or much else for that matter.  Either you want good clean joints or you don't.  I would suggest the Freud Super Dado, either FRESD506 or 508, 6 and 8 inch respectively.  (I believe this set was in a previous post.)  A contractors saw can handle the 8" if you think you might want deep dados for some project, otherwise the 6" will be just fine.  These leave a reasonably clean bottom and a nice shoulder, they come with metal shims and the extra 3/32" chipper to fit plywood (very important for construction with veneered plywood).  If you just can't justify springing for this set at least spring for the 300 series dado set.  The 300 series has 24 teeth on the blades and 2 teeth on the chippers, the 200 series only has 10 or 12 teeth on 6" and 8" blades respectively.  The 500 series has 4 tooth chippers for a cleaner cut.

1. 
   mark_k | Aug 29, 2006 12:34am | #20

   Thanks to everyone for the advice, it's been most helpful.
   A Freud 6" set seems like the way to go, just have to settle on the number of teeth.

1. 
   [email protected] | Aug 29, 2006 03:15pm | #21

   Another dado set with great reviews is from Infinity Tools. I'm also in the market for a dado set and this one sounds like a winner. Does anyone have one of these?http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/infinitydadonator.htmhttp://www.infinitytools.com/products.asp?dept=1167

6. 
   DocXmas | Aug 30, 2006 04:59am | #24

   I have used the dado set from ridge carbide tools on my jet contractors saw for the last couple of years and found it to be excellent in all aspects.  Check out their web site:

   http://www.ridgecarbidetool.com/html/dado_northwoods.htm