24 replies to this topic

[Jeff M]

I am looking for a good 8" Dado Blade Set that won't break the bank.
Also I'm not sure of what type to purchase, stacked dado blades or adjustable, any suggestions?

[Paul-Marcel]

If you get an adjustable dado like Dial-A-Dado, make sure it will work on your saw's arbor; the dial takes up space and can limit the width of the set. I know I've seen charts for that particular dado stack that show the maximum width for each saw.

I have an Infinity Dadonator and really like it. I think once you get to that price range, they have similar quality (like Forrest's offering, etc.).

Depending on the power of your saw, you might want to consider chippers with fewer teeth. Each tooth adds another arm on the chipper blade adding weight. A smaller saw won't like the added weight and load of the cut. That's actually why 6" are popular, too and there are 6" Dadonators.

There'll be lots of opinions to consider!

[Pat PMR]

I went with this one based on another wood workers recommendation, it's the only one I have used but I am very happy with the performance, used it for a couple of small projects and five wall cabinets. It cuts flat bottoms, comes with 4 tooth chippers and a good storage case included. Currently $90.00 Pat

[Rick LoDico]

Jeff M, on 19 August 2010 - 05:50 PM, said:

I am looking for a good 8" Dado Blade Set that won't break the bank.
Also I'm not sure of what type to purchase, stacked dado blades or adjustable, any suggestions?

I have the 8" Forrest Dado King. In ten years I've needed the full height just one time. If I ever need another one it will be a 6" and I'd probably consider the Ridge Carbide. The company was started by former Forrest employees and their quality is comparable.
http://ridgecarbidet...do-masters.html

[Dean J]

I like the Oshlun set I have; works just fine.

Jeff M, on 19 August 2010 - 05:50 PM, said:

I am looking for a good 8" Dado Blade Set that won't break the bank.
Also I'm not sure of what type to purchase, stacked dado blades or adjustable, any suggestions?

[Pete]

8" Forrest

[knotscott]

The best I've used to date is the Infinity Dadonator, but I haven't tried them all. It makes cleaner cuts than my previous Freud SD208, DeWalt/Delta 7670, and Systimatic Superfine, which were all very good sets. Hard to imagine any set outperforming the Infinity. The DW7670 is a great bang for the buck at ~ $100.

[Paul-Marcel]

I actually chose the Infinity Dadonator because of Knottscott's recommendation way back on Forum 1.0. If I'm wondering about a blade, I'll look at reviews on Amazon and he's usually there Worth the read.

[Ben H]

Rick LoDico, on 20 August 2010 - 04:56 AM, said:

I have the 8" Forrest Dado King. In ten years I've needed the full height just one time. If I ever need another one it will be a 6" and I'd probably consider the Ridge Carbide. The company was started by former Forrest employees and their quality is comparable.
http://ridgecarbidet...do-masters.html

I'm with Rick. I've had my 8" Freud set for a good 8-10 years, and I have never used it full height. 6" blades will be easier on the saw, and less $$$. The next set I buy will be a high end 6".

It seems to me, most dado cuts are normally 1/2 or less. Unless you've got some $$$ burning a hole in your pocket, you'll likely never or very seldom use the 8 beyond what a 6 could do.

[ATB80]

Only have ever had a 6" Amana set. Never saw the need to go to an 8" set.

[Jeff M]

Has anyone had any experience with a Freud SD206 6-Inch Professional Dado?

[sawdustinmyshoes]

Jeff M, on 21 August 2010 - 05:33 PM, said:

Has anyone had any experience with a Freud SD206 6-Inch Professional Dado?

Jeff,
I do. I purchased it a while ago when I had a contractor's saw. It's served me well.

Joe

[jimmykx250]

Check e-bay. You can save some money there- especially on a high end set. People who buy high end stuff tend to take care of it. I bought a nice 6" cmt set for a steel. It's worth your time to shop.

[knotscott]

Jeff M, on 21 August 2010 - 05:33 PM, said:

Has anyone had any experience with a Freud SD206 6-Inch Professional Dado?

The SD206 is a 6" version of the popular SD208/DD208. It's good....possibly "good nuff", but has half as many teeth as the better sets, and didn't cut quite as cleanly as my DW7670, Systimatic, or Infinity sets. It also has the anti-kickback fingers, which add a fair amount of mass, which partially offsets the benefits of using a smaller set. The 8" 7670 isn't much more money ($90 plus $13 s/h from Grizzly), and has twice as many teeth....it's also made with the bulk of it's mass near the arbor (like the Forrest Dado King), which makes it fairly easy to spin. Diameter isn't the only factor...sets like the Oshlun and Systimatic not only have 6 teeth per chipper (which can help with a clean cut), but also have nearly full diameter solid body chippers that are heavy...whereas some sets have the teeth mounted to tapered fingers. I've rarely needed more depth than a 6" dado sets provides, but because there are more 8" sets to choose from, the 8" sets tend to increase your odds of finding a great deal, so I wouldn't rule them out. FWIW, all of my saws, including a small Delta 36-600 compact saw have spun 8" dado sets without issue...my 36-600 spun a heavy SD208 pretty well.



Oshlun & DW7670:

[Pete]

I have both and I prefer the stacked.

[nlwoodworker]

I have had the 8" Freud Pro Dado Set for over a year now and have had great success with it. Cost me about $95 CDN.

[Jacob Mac]

I have the Ridge Carbide and it is great. Presently, I am in between table saws, so it is not seeing any use, but the set is as good as anything I have ever used.

[JerrySats]

Ben H, on 21 August 2010 - 07:41 AM, said:

I'm with Rick. I've had my 8" Freud set for a good 8-10 years, and I have never used it full height. 6" blades will be easier on the saw, and less $$$. The next set I buy will be a high end 6".

It seems to me, most dado cuts are normally 1/2 or less. Unless you've got some $$$ burning a hole in your pocket, you'll likely never or very seldom use the 8 beyond what a 6 could do.

I have the 6" Freud Stack dado set , picked it up used (BN) for $50 . Check some of the other woodworking forums classifies , I see 6" and 8" sets a lot .

[reepss]

In my opinion, the advantage of an 8" over the 6" is the rotational speed of the blade. I have had a 6" set and have found that I had to significantly slow my feed rates due to the slower rotational speed. Just my 2 cents.

[Rob G.]

Dean J, on 20 August 2010 - 09:58 AM, said:

I like the Oshlun set I have; works just fine.

And the Oshlun set is on sale at Rockler for $60 this month.