Magna Dado question

[vnapple]

Hello to everyone from a new guy. I recently purchased a 510 from one of my buddies in my office, and this thing is like a big puzzle. One of the things that came with the package was an old Magna Precision Dado, and I would like to know how to change the blade on it (and if changing the blade is worth the effort). It looks to me like there are two rivets that hold the piece together. So, I am checking to see if there is a secret move or a special tool that I need to apply to this thing before I pop the rivets and rip it apart.

Thanks,
Vinny

[paulmcohen]

Welcome,

I have never heard of that but Shopsmith sells arbors for the 510 that take standard (dado) blades. You can find other threads here with various opinions on cheap vs. expensive blades.

The 510 is an excellent machine but without instructions I would not recommend using it. It should have come from a excellent book called Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone a great place to start. Also many of the manuals are available online from Shopsmith.

[dickg1]

Vinny,
I bought the Magna Dado along with my Shopsmith back in the 60's and use it frequently. In my opinion, it is more convenient than attempting to piece together a conventional dado to a particular dimension. At the extreme settings it does leave a prominent concave depression, but I have not found that to be a particular problem. I don't know of any way to change blades. You may want to consider sharpening them since the Magna Dado is an assembled unit and does not appear to facilitate disassembly as you indicated by the need to pop rivets. Send me a private e-mail. I have the original documentation and will forward it to you.

Just checked the documentation. It can be disassembled and indicates that by rotating the blade 180 degrees you will put a different set of the teeth into play, thereby avoiding sharpening the blade for a while. I've never done it, but that's what it says!
Dickg1

[ksdaddio]

When I purchased my Shopsmith at a garage sale, there was a Magna Dado with it. I knew what it was supposed to do, but didn't bother to try to find any manuals, because I had already purchased a stacked dado set. After a few years, I became interested again, but now I think that there are some missing set screws or some type of devices that hold the hub in the desired position.

I would be interested in the manual also. Would you please tell me what you would need for a copy of the manual, expense wise, and I would be happy to comply.

Thanks

[dickg1]

ksdaddio,
Please send me a private e-mail. I will forward the Magna Dado info.
Dickg1

[johnafg24]

I have a magna dado and am having difficulty adjusting the width of cut. currently it is on zero of just blade width. It seems locked in this position.Any help would be lmuch appreciated

[sandyj]

My Magna Dado has been disassembled and reassembled by me a couple of times. I hold the arbor in a vice - there are flats on it for a wrench. Then I undo the nut at the end of the arbor.
By careful disassembly and placement of parts you can get an idea of how things work.
The calibrations on the adjustment hubs are approximate at best.
The offset hubs match both sides so one side reading "D" is the same on the other side.
Assembly requires getting the parts locating into the hub and it will only assemble one way. You will not get everything together if not assembled correct.
There are 2 adjusting set-screws that require a square edge driver - mine are 'munted' but by loosening the nut on the end of the arbor and moving the blade in relation to the arbor, that will move the hubs to the desired letters - lock up the arbor nut and test cut the width.
If you need pics I can supply.
Regards
Sandy in NZ

[dbrenner]

My father gave me his entire Shopsmith setup, which included a Magna Dado Blade. I had it sharpened ($20) and it works well. There is a pressed pin that needs to be removed before the adjustable hub can be disassembled. There are two small geared pins that will fall out when this hub is taken apart.

I foolishly stripped these two geared pins when I tryed to make an adjustment without loosing the arbor nut. If anyone knows where I can purchase parts for this blade, let me know. Right now my blade makes a good regular saw blade with very wide kerf.

[underwater]

I also have a Magna Precision Dado Blade that I need new gears for to change setting does anybody know where I can get parts for it.

[charlese]

Sounds like you have an adjustable dado. Don't remove the rivets! IMO Sandy] from NZ has given you the best advice. My adjustable dado has been disassembled twice because it was jammed and could not be adjusted.
Use plenty of oil when getting the thing to work again. I think my unit got jammed because of over tightening on the arbor and leaving it sit that way for a long time.