Subject: Which dado blade

From: [email-masked] ([email-masked])
Date: Wed, 05 Feb 97 16:09:22 GMT

I'm interested in purchasing a dado blade for my Jet contractors saw.  I have 
no prior experience and was hoping for some suggestions on a good one to buy. 

Thx,
Jeff Whyland
Rochester, NY

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From: Jim Summers <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 09 Feb 1997 08:28:55 -0800

> no prior experience and was hoping for some suggestions on a good one to buy.
	I have used both adjustable and stacked and I prefer the stacked. When
you run a piece through the adjustable, it always lifts up as you pass
through the piece. This is part of the nature of them. It feels strange
to me.
	Beside that, buy carbibe tipped and the best you can afford. I have
been using a set that cost $50 and came from Menards. I have no
complaints, in fact I prefer setting up the width each time by adding or
subtracting chippers to the feel of the adjustable.
	I hope this helps. Just remember that it is esier than it seems
					Jim Summers

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From: [email-masked] (Explodey2)
Date: 10 Feb 1997 17:05:39 GMT

I have the Freud 8" safety dado. It is a stack type for 1/4-13/16" dados.
I also got the optional shim kit to fine tune dados for exact fit when
necc. This is about $130-$140. If I were to do it again however, I would
go with the Freud Super Dado which has 4 arm chippers, and a 3/32"
chipper, Allows you to make plywood width dados without shimming. Both are
anti-kickback designs and leave really fine cuts.

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From: StanR <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 03:15:56 -0800

> no prior experience and was hoping for some suggestions on a good one to buy.

I use the Craftsman Excaliber V-adjustable. The cut is slightly jagged
at the bottom, but otherwise good. 
I've also stacked several sawblades on the shaft with washers between
them. That also maks a good cut, not as variable, but doesn't have the
side groves that a chipper stack makes.

Stan

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From: "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 07:09:25 -0500

I have the Freud 6" Super Dado for my Delta CS - as good as they come,
with crisp, clean walls & FLAT bottoms. The included shim set is very
handy when cutting dados for all the odd-ball size plywood. I've found
the 6" will handle just about anything I've wanted to do without taxing
the arbor & motor on my CS...

Jim

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From: [email-masked] (Alan Murphy)
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 17:16:05 GMT

I have to agree with Jim...

I too have the 6" Super Dado....You really don't need to spend the
extra money on the 8".  

Two reasons not to get the 8" are ....

1) 99.9995% of the cuts you do with a dado blade are under 1" in
depth.

I think the 6" super cuts up to an 1.5 inches.... I'm not sure I
hardly ever use it above 5/16 ".

2) The Mass of an 8" Stacked dado set to a 3/4" witdth is ALOT of
blade for a 1.5 hp Contractors saw to swing.

Not that a good CS (Jet is an Excellent Saw) can't swing it,but why
put that extra strain... (specially when cutting hard hardwoods like
Maple or Beech....) on your tools.

Alan

>the arbor & motor on my CS...

***********************************************************
Jesus is My Favorite Carpenter, 
  and he doesn't use a blade
  guard either.

Alan Murphy
Las Vegas, NV

***********************************************************

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From: [email-masked] (David Roseman)
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 02:18:29 GMT

On Wed, 12 Feb 1997 17:16:05 GMT, [email-masked] (Alan

>blade for a 1.5 hp Contractors saw to swing.
 Here's another reason.  One of the best (and most reasonable, $3)
cabinet hinges available for overlay doors, IMO, is a self-closing
knife-style hinge that mounts in a 1/4" stopped kerf sawn into the
stile on the back of the door.  The kerf can only be cut with a
six-inch dado set, else it will extend too far beyond the hinge. 
I've only found my 6" and 7" dado sets inadequate once, when making
large "Greek Key" molding as a component of a built-up crown molding.
Couldn't cut the kerfs deep enough, so had to _borrow_ an 8" set.  I
just hate it when that happens. dcr

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From: "Mark Trombley" <[email-masked]>
Date: 9 Feb 1997 03:12:51 GMT

[email-masked] wrote in article <[email-masked]>...
> no prior experience and was hoping for some suggestions on a good one to
buy. 
I believe that Jet restricts you to a 6" diameter dado because of the
arbor design (check your manual).  This is the case on both the JTAS
and JWCS models.  Both Forrest and Freud make excellent 6"
fine and super fine stacked dados.  Freud also has a new adjustable
"Super" dado available in 6" but I have read nothing about it yet.  Amana
and Sysmatic (Spelling?) also make very high quality dados.  I would
recommend staying away from the "wobble" type dados as they will
not cut a flat bottom and the edges will not be as clean as a good
stacked dado.

Mark T.

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From: "T. W. Clapp" <[email-masked]>
Date: 14 Feb 1997 02:52:13 GMT

I recommend the Freud Super Dado set.  Be careful where you buy it.  I
found the 8" set running as much as $325 in local stores, but bought from
WW Supply for about $150.  Freud also sells a cheaper "SAFETY" dado set,
but I am not familiar with it.

 I tried the Sears "SUPER EXCALIBUR" adjustable type...you know the one
that has two opposing tilted blades.  It didn't work worth a hoot!  I had
also tried their "BEST" Excalibur wobble type.  It looked good because
appeared good and sturdy for a wobble; but the blade had so much mass
(weight to you non-engineer types) that it caused excessive vibration in my
tablesaw.  I returned it without cutting a single board due to fear I would
destroy my saw bearings.

The Freud set is beautiful!

Mark Trombley <[email-masked]> wrote in article
<01bc1637$10c9bc40$79523ece@main>...
> > I'm interested in purchasing a dado blade for my Jet contractors saw. 
I
> have 
> > no prior experience and was hoping for some suggestions on a good one
to