Dado blades

ChrisNeilan · Post by **ChrisNeilan** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:34 pm

Just curious. I already have a good 6 inch stacked dado blade, but why does Shopsmith recommend the six inch blade over the 8 inch?

ljhhontx · Post by **ljhhontx** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:39 pm

The 6 inch blade is a lot easier for the motor to turn, less weight.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 7:09 pm

The 6" makes more sense for most. The extra capacity of an 8" will, in all likelihood, never be needed.
Plus, as has been stated, the 8" is much heavier.

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:09 pm

I personally own an 8" set. I got it because of the added depth needed if you start using it with a sled.

It doesn't sound like much but the added depth also helps with some projects when using thicker wood that extra can really come in handy. Say you want to do a mail box post with a half lap at the crossing point.

The post is a 4 x 4 which in wood working terms means it 3-1/2 x 3-1/2. For the half lap you need to go half way or 1-3/4 deep.

In general an 8" blade can cut 2-1/4" deep while a 6" can cut 1-1/4, thus the 8" can make the cut while the 6" will need some help to finish.

Now say the sled you make is 1/2" thick, the 6" blade can still cut a respectable 3/4" but with the 8" you can cut 1.75".

Keep in mind the shopsmith table insert is designed around the 6" so it is quite possible you will have to be doing your own if you get the 8" blade.

I've had my 8" for a lot of years and never had any power problems, you normally run it a little slower and the added torque is more then enough. If you have an older machine with smaller motor this might be another story, no experience with that.

I really have no problem with using a 6" blade and have one on this years shopping list. Take a look at the one shopsmith has on sale right now, it looks like a decent deal.

Any who just wanted to give you all a little more to think about.

Ed

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:43 pm

A thing to remember is that the blade speed(ft/min) of an 8" is 33% faster than a 6". So a reduction to 3/4 as fast is appropriate. The 'original' SS gains torque as the speed is reduced.

I have an 8", since I like to get max capability regardless of intended 'current' use.

The extra mass(inertia) will increase start up and coast down times.

I acquired a 6" with the 10E, but I have never used it(yet).

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:56 pm

+1 on successfully using an 8 inch stacked dado (Infinity Dadonator) on the Shopsmith; but I have never had to use it to make a cut I couldn't have made with a 6 inch dado. If I were making the purchase over again, I might go smaller and use the leftover money on something else, although JPG makes a good point about the 8 inch generating greater speed at the blade tips at the same rpm or equal speed at the blade tips at lower rpms/higher torque.

newportcycle · Post by **newportcycle** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:01 am

Im in the market for a dado blade, has anyone any experience good or bad with the CMT Shopsmith is advertising for sale this week?

ChrisNeilan · Post by **ChrisNeilan** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:01 am

Mine is a Freud and I'm happy with it. I'm told the one Shopsmith sells is good.

BigSky · Post by **BigSky** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:04 am

ChrisNeilan wrote:Mine is a Freud and I'm happy with it. I'm told the one Shopsmith sells is good.

I read here on the forum that at one time the Shopsmith blades were manufactured by Freud. I cannot vouch for that but that is what I have been told.