Thread: Recommendations for Dado set?

The set I have was a cheap one with Carbatec's label on it over 10 years ago. Cant say I have had any issues with it or noticed ridges. It does the job the few times its been used. I think they only sell CMT now however.
I would get a reasonably good one if you intend a lot of use. If only now and then perhaps save a few bucks.
I would not advise trying a stone to level a set as that would likely fark them good and proper. Cutting edge needs a clearance angle. I would think it would be a really cheap and nasty set that left ridges big enough to worry about. Just avoid the ones mentioned in those reviews.
Regards
John

Thanks John,

all good advice. Yup, clearance issue noted... I just went down that inevitable tinkerer’s rabbit hole: I would (as lightly as possible) stone until consistent, and then individually file the clearance where needed- a bit like doing a handsaw...given that I’d hope it was the chippers, on a cheap set it would only be 2 blades per spacer, so not an insurmountable task. However, the lack of responses probably speaks volumes as to the sense of my random thought!

Freud 8" Stacked Dado Set for All Saws (SD208S) : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement
DEWALT DW7670 8-Inch 24-Tooth Stacked Dado Set : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

I've owned both of these and they are good and well priced and you'll be happy with either of them. Clean flat bottom dados
I own a Sawstop and these are compatible with Sawtop's breaking system. That's the reason I bought them.

I have kept the Dewalt not because it was better but It was a waste to keep both.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Freud-Dial.../dp/B000089H8P

probably out of your price range but I managed to find this set (2nd hand but pretty much new) and its great, Having the ability to fine tune the width with out having to take anything off really makes it simple. Like you mines only for hobby use (and like barri can be used on my sawstop with the right brake) but I only intend to buy it once.

Hmmm. That is really interesting; I might go for that-the increased price is balanced by a seriously nice additional capability... Does it work well?

I own the freud 8" stacked dado and for value for money from a mainstream manufacturer of saw blades, I think this is an excellent choice.
Mine has served flawlessly over a number of years, particularly with hardwoods.

If you are using the dado regularly then maybe a more expensive set might suffice.
Cheers

Originally Posted by havabeer69

Freud 8 In. Dial-A-Width Stacked Dado Set with 5/8 In. Arbor (SD608) : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

can be used on my sawstop with the right brake.

Yes it fits on the Sawstop but I don't believe Sawstop recommend this with the same reason they don't recommend full size chippers as the extra weight won't allow the brake to react in an appropriate amount of time. I contacted Sawstop USA to provide a list of recommended dado stacks and the one I linked was the only Freud recommended.
Its a great dado stack that I would love but only if I didn't have a Sawstop

Out of interest ... can you use an 8" dado set in a 12" table saw?

Hi mote- yes. In fact, it’s a bit safer, with smaller diameter and less mass. You rarely need the full depth of cut, as by definition a dado set is not making a through cut- so you are raising it (say) only 18mm to cut a dado of that depth...
Try searching for 12 inch dado sets- there aren’t many out there in the hobby world, although I suspect there may be some for big commercial machinery...

Originally Posted by jpdv

Try searching for 12 inch dado sets- there aren’t many out there in the hobby world,

Yeah right! I tried

Thanks for your answer, I have often been tempted and just wanted to make sure I could infact get enough depth I was assuming yes ... based on basic maths, but real world answers are far better

Just be aware there are 2 issues that need some analysis before merrily slapping a dado blade on the SB12 (which I think you have...).
1. The 5/8ths arbor: dado sets don’t go with reducing bushes, so you need an exact arbor match... There’s debate out there over using a 16mm arbor on a 5/8 saw, ymmv...
2. The stock arbor has a weird and massively unhelpful groove/reduction in it just where some of your chippers would be... this is definitely something you need to sort before putting a dado set on. I’m working through the problem at the moment- simplest option will be to find an alternate arbor that fits. Using one on the stock arbor would be a ‘most exciting’ experience that I don’t intend to try!

Originally Posted by jpdv

There’s debate out there over using a 16mm arbor on a 5/8 saw, ymmv...

Hmmm ... I suppose I thought they were the same ... The blade I have says its a 5/8 and measuring the arbour I get a 15.8mm reading. Could it be that Hafco changed from 5/8 to 16mm at some point?

Originally Posted by barri

Yes it fits on the Sawstop but I don't believe Sawstop recommend this with the same reason they don't recommend full size chippers as the extra weight won't allow the brake to react in an appropriate amount of time. I contacted Sawstop USA to provide a list of recommended dado stacks and the one I linked was the only Freud recommended.
Its a great dado stack that I would love but only if I didn't have a Sawstop

Sorry Barri, I'm a bit confused...havabeer69 suggests the Freud 8-in set suits the Sawstop which seems to be what Sawstop USA itself recommends. Am I understanding that you think it is a great stack, but not with a Sawstop?

I am looking at purchasing an 8-in stack for my Sawstop contractor saw, hence the question!

Cheers,
Yvan

Originally Posted by yvan

Sorry Barri, I'm a bit confused...havabeer69 suggests the Freud 8-in set suits the Sawstop which seems to be what Sawstop USA itself recommends. Am I understanding that you think it is a great stack, but not with a Sawstop?

I am looking at purchasing an 8-in stack for my Sawstop contractor saw, hence the question!

Cheers,
Yvan

This is a quote on their web site .....

"SawStop recommends only using 8” stacked dado sets, with a maximum thickness of 13/16”. “Wobble” dado sets are not recommended, as they may not engage correctly with the dado brake cartridge. Do not use dado sets with solid-plate interior chippers or blades with molding heads, as neither brake cartridge is designed to stop those blade types."

Only this Freud dado stack is sawstop compatible ... Freud 8" Stacked Dado Set for All Saws (SD208S) : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

I contacted Sawstop USA direct and they produced a list of compatible dado stacks and only the stacks that didn't have full size chippers were recommended. Sorry I searched for that list but couldn't find it. I owned the Freud SD508 which was a brilliant dado stack was not compatible and not on that list so i ended up buying the two that I mentioned above. Even Freud modified their original SD208 stack to the SD208S so that it was Sawstop compatible. In a nutshell the stack that was mentioned above which has a dial system instead of chippers isn't compatible. That's my understanding but I have read that some say it is compatible. I guess a direct email with Sawstop would be more definitive
I decided that if its not on their recommended list then I'm not buying it.

EDIT ... just found that list SawStop dado set recommendations - by AlmostRetired @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community. Its a few years old but still relevant.