Thread: CMT Dado Blade

No-ones got a Dado blade?

How about a carbatec tenoning jig or other tenoning jig as I'm buying one of these as well?

HH.

I have the 6'' CMT Dado set. Works a treat, gives very good flat bottom dados. I also have a tenon jig for the table saw. I made my own but saw one going for a $100 so snapped it up. Again works a treat.

I have the 8" Cmt Dado.
I haven't used it a lot but it seems to do the job OK. Then again I don't have another dado to compare it with but it seems to rate OK in reviews I have read in the past.
I bought it from Gary Pye Woodturning on the Gold Coast in 2005 so there have probably been upgrades since then.
One thing I noticed was that the shims were not all the stated size according to my digital calipher. This may not matter so long as you measure before use.
In summary, limited use from my point of view but seems to do a good job. Expensive and I would certainally look at lower cost alternative.
My Dado came as part of a gift and was top of the range at the time. I think if I had bought it myself, I would have looked at cheaper alternatives due to my limited use but more usage may suggest otherwise.
Hope this helps.
Mal

Originally Posted by HappyHammer

I've been eyeing the CMT Dado blade sold by Carbatec for some time now and was wondering what I'm getting for my money. Also are there any other options under $400 that provide the same quality. I'm assuming the CMT dado is quality based on the price any views or experience on this blade?

HH.

G'Day HappyHammer
I just recently ordered an 8"Freud Dado Set from "The Jet Tool Shop" (in Townsville QLD) I was VERY pleased with their price of $199.00 + $30.00 Postage and handling.
http://www.jettoolshop.com.au/products.php?s_category_name=1&shopping_cart_id=10309

You can find heaps of user reviews about 8"Freud Dado Set at Amazon's

http://www.amazon.com/Freud-D208-8-I...owViewpoints=1

51 owners gave it an average of 4 out of 5 stars rating. I was so impressed with this set that I was almost going to order it out from America, as the usual price for this set in Australia is around the $400.00 to $450.00 here . And then "miraculously" found it at "The Jet Tool Shop" (in Townsville QLD) for almost as cheap as ordering it in from America

So definitely "do yar self a favour" and check it out soon at the Townsville Jet Tool Shop as I have no Idea how long the "promotional" price will last

Cheers / Sean

Thanks guys, I'll checkout the Freud....

HH.

The Freud Dado Blade set arrived 2 days ago. Works brilliantly!

Have been using it to trench some Melamine and Plywood panels. Super crisp edges and true flat bottomed finish!!! Even in white melamine board it barely chips the edges.

I haven't tried it out in any hard wood yet but as long as the cuts are done in multiple stages I can't foresee any problems with it.

Next thing I will be using it for is to make up a heap of glass door frames for some kitchen over head cabinets I've just finished making

Overall I'm very pleased with the Freud dado set and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone, especially at the price "The Jet Tool Shop" (in Townsville QLD) has it going for!

PS: "Happy Hammer" if you do end up purchasing the same set as I have, I'd be interested to hear your opinion of it also. Please post back here when you can and give us an update.

Just out of interest Sean what HP is your tablesaw as I believe this can impact the quality of the cut?

HH.

Originally Posted by HappyHammer

Just out of interest Sean what HP is your table saw as I believe this can impact the quality of the cut?

HH.

HappyHammer... It's a 2HP Taiwanese Electric motor with a capacitor start. It's supposed to run off a 15 Amp circuit but I run it off a 12 Amp circuit.

I just make sure that nothing else major is running at the same time on the 12 Amp circuit. The RCD fuse ('RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE'), on the house main power board, hasn't tripped a single time. The house though has 2 separate 12 Amp circuits, so I suppose this helps.

I'm still very pleased with the results I'm getting from the Freud Dado Blade. I got an Email from the Jet Tool shop in Townsville last week informing me that they had almost sold out of the Dado Blade sets, they only had one 30mm Bore Dado Blade left in stock !

Happyhammer,

Just read your query abou the carbatec tenoning jig. I have one of these and it works pretty well. The only downside is the imperial measurment and the readout isn't particularly accurate. I use an Incra Tee Rule (which measures to 0.25 incraments) to mark out my tenons and then bring the blade to just outside the line using the fine adjuster. As I said it works really well and the end product will be as straight as the rest of your setup allows (blade tilt, etc). This is a very good device and pretty cheap too.

Reggie