Best Dado Set Question

royalcoachman · Post by **royalcoachman** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:16 am

Hi,
I just purchased a very nice 510. I know I want a Dado set for it and have been looking around. Here are the ones I am considering:

SS Amana 6" for $128+ship (on sale now)
Freud SD208 8" for $95
Freud SD508 8" for $200 Note this is more than I want to spend but it sure looks like a great blade

What do you folks recommend? Is there another blade you would recommend?

Also, are there any problems using an 8" dado blade on the Shopsmith? Why do they only sell the 6"?

Thanks for your advice.

Jerry

michaeltoc · Post by **michaeltoc** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:55 am

royalcoachman wrote:
Also, are there any problems using an 8" dado blade on the Shopsmith? Why do they only sell the 6"?

Jerry

I have an old Craftsman 8" dado set and it works just fine. I think they now make 6" dado sets because most dados are not very deep, so why pay for an 8" blade when 6" will do just fine.

If you don't think you will ever make deep dados, then go with the Amana. Although the SD208 is cheaper, (and it is 8"), I would be hesitant because of the fewer teeth and it may not be adjustable (with the shims) to cut an undersize plywood dado.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:44 pm

michaeltoc wrote:I have an old Craftsman 8" dado set and it works just fine. I think they now make 6" dado sets because most dados are not very deep, so why pay for an 8" blade when 6" will do just fine.

If you don't think you will ever make deep dados, then go with the Amana. Although the SD208 is cheaper, (and it is 8"), I would be hesitant because of the fewer teeth and it may not be adjustable (with the shims) to cut an undersize plywood dado.

The 8" require more horsepower for a given cut(depth,width)!

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:44 pm

I have the Freud SD208 and have been pleased with it. I have not used it with my Shopsmith though I have used other 8" sets with it. If depth of the dado was not an issue I would also consider the Freud 6" set from Amazon or others for around $85 delivered.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:58 pm

royalcoachman wrote:Hi,
I just purchased a very nice 510. I know I want a Dado set for it and have been looking around. Here are the ones I am considering:

SS Amana 6" for $128+ship (on sale now)
Freud SD208 8" for $95
Freud SD508 8" for $200 Note this is more than I want to spend but it sure looks like a great blade

What do you folks recommend? Is there another blade you would recommend?

Also, are there any problems using an 8" dado blade on the Shopsmith? Why do they only sell the 6"?

Thanks for your advice.

Jerry

OnlineToolReviews.com - Infinity Dadonator 8" Stacked Dado Set Review

I use the one above and it works great and yes it is expensive but does go on sale, you just need to be careful if you use the Shopsmith metal throat plate, I use the Shopsmith plastic ones and have cut them to fit the width I needed.

It is very, very heavy so you need to wait for the motor to spin up to full speed before you start the cut and make sure you have a good source of power.

jonesuh · Post by **jonesuh** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:00 pm

i have the Amana 6in. couldn't be happier

ddvann79 · Post by **ddvann79** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:09 pm

I've seen the old Shopsmith "adjustable dado" out there, as in this eBay listing. It says:

"Official SHOPSMITH adjustable Dado head. Nice shape. These are far superior to the stacking Dado cutters. First, the bottom of the cut is flat and smooth, unlike that achieved with a stacking dado. Second the width of cut can be dialed to any amount between 3/16 and 13/16. And finally, the adjustments can be made without removing the blade from the saw. "

Is this true? Are there other adjustable dado cutters out there that are preferable to stacked?

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:28 pm

ddvann79 wrote:I've seen the old Shopsmith "adjustable dado" out there, as in this eBay listing. It says:

"Official SHOPSMITH adjustable Dado head. Nice shape. These are far superior to the stacking Dado cutters. First, the bottom of the cut is flat and smooth, unlike that achieved with a stacking dado. Second the width of cut can be dialed to any amount between 3/16 and 13/16. And finally, the adjustments can be made without removing the blade from the saw. "

Is this true? Are there other adjustable dado cutters out there that are preferable to stacked?

Although I *have* an old Shopsmith adjustable (or "wobble") dado blade, I have not used it. One of the adjustment screws is stripped.

I have used two other wobble blades, though. A newer "Oldham" brand that sucked. It was pretty much the opposite of everything said above. And I've used an old Craftsman wobble blade which was actually pretty decent. I use them for "construction" type projects - half lap joints on fence gates, etc. I wouldn't use them for "woodworking."

I have an Oshlun 6" stacked dado set which I really like and is my "woodworking" dado blade.

Based on my experience, a stacked set gives much better results.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:04 pm

ddvann79 wrote:I've seen the old Shopsmith "adjustable dado" out there, as in this eBay listing. It says:

"Official SHOPSMITH adjustable Dado head. Nice shape. These are far superior to the stacking Dado cutters. First, the bottom of the cut is flat and smooth, unlike that achieved with a stacking dado. Second the width of cut can be dialed to any amount between 3/16 and 13/16. And finally, the adjustments can be made without removing the blade from the saw. "

Is this true? Are there other adjustable dado cutters out there that are preferable to stacked?

Not true for my almost half century old one! Whatsaflat bottom?????

P.S. Nigh impossible to 'adjust' without the 'unique' square tool that moves the tapered wedges. Also it must be 'loosened' from the arbor to 'adjust'.

lelandschultz · Post by **lelandschultz** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:36 am

After doing much searching on reviews, I settled for the Infinity Dadonator 6". It was on sale and it has been a great!! Cut is very accurate and flat bottom. having the 6 tooth chippers makes the cuts smooth.