8" dado set

jschmitz1949 · Post by **jschmitz1949** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:23 pm

Long-time lurker and first time poster.

I've been enjoying my shopsmith Mk 5 since I got it early winter, and am slowly beginning to expand my capabilities with it. I have the potential for a really good deal on a really good 8" dado set, and I'm wondering how well it will or won't work on my SS. Is the 8" dado set simply too big for the SS motor, and one that I should stay away from?

Thanks in advance for any assistance and advice!

John

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:38 pm

I don't know which dado set you are looking at, but I have used an 8 inch stacked dado on my Mark V and it worked fine. Generally, you only buy the 8 inch set for when you need the depth of cut. In most cases a 6 inch set will handle most jobs.

That being said, if I was getting a great price on a great dado set, I would probably buy it. I always have the ability to dial the speed down to increase the torque at the arbor.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 9:47 pm

jschmitz1949 wrote:Long-time lurker and first time poster.

I've been enjoying my shopsmith Mk 5 since I got it early winter, and am slowly beginning to expand my capabilities with it. I have the potential for a really good deal on a really good 8" dado set, and I'm wondering how well it will or won't work on my SS. Is the 8" dado set simply too big for the SS motor, and one that I should stay away from?

Thanks in advance for any assistance and advice!

John

8" dado blades work great, you just need to remember two things.

Don't raise the blade so high it cuts into the dado insert.
If you don't have a PowerPro give the motor enough time to reach full speed before you start the cut.

I use a very heavy dadonator blade and before my 220V PowerPro it took a long time to get up to speed once it did it worked great.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 11:19 pm

Question is, which size motor do you have? If 1 1/8hp, "OK". If 3/4hp, probably not! Width and depth of cut are the clincher!

mowarren · Post by **mowarren** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:29 am

would'nt speed of feed into cut affect as well as depth of the cut. I'm thinking a dado is next purchase for my greenie as well.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:34 am

Yes, the feed rate always has some effect and I believe that many of use experience the bad effects of feeding too fast without recognizing the root cause.

Slow down - I don't know of a single wood working process that is adversely effected by being done too slow.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:03 am

Generally, a slow feed rate is good for getting a smooth cut, but there are cases where going too slow will case the wood to burn from friction when sawing or using a router. Cherry, maple and birch can be problematic in this regard. Purple Heart is another.