Dado Sets

3237 Views 22 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Cherryville Chuck, Aug 24, 2017

KhalTom

Discussion Starter · Aug 23, 2017

If I work with a lot of 3/4 " hardwood does the quality of dado make a big difference? I'm not talking about some 20$ set, I mean is their a difference between an oshlun Dado set and a Dadonator. I know their will be some differences, one is more than twice as much as the other, but is the difference in the cuts?

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Cherryville Chuck

· #2 · Aug 24, 2017

Dadonator? Is that actually a brand? You want one that says it leaves a flat bottom. I think most of the better new sets will do that but a lot of the older and cheap ones don't and leave something referred to as "bat ears". These are visible when you make dadoes for shelves and don't cover over the dado at the front edge. There are some pictures of bat ears in this link: https://www.google.ca/search?q=bat+...sAQIJw&biw=1920&bih=971#imgrc=xf9tpVzPgmB39M:

Also do not buy a wobble type dado head. You would regret it every time you used it. There are several other factors to decide on too. The cheaper sets have 12 tooth side cutters. More expensive sets had 24 tooth cutters. The 24 tooth ones will/should cut a little smoother. The other main issue is size. Most common are 6 and 8" sets. With a 1.5hp saw you should probably stick with the 6" as it requires less power. I've never used more than 1" of the dado anyway so depth is not likely to be an issue.

I've heard good things about Oshlun but have no personal experience with them. One issue with most manufacturers is the quality level of any particular line. CMT for example has 5 different quality levels for their regular blades. Make sure you know which quality level you are buying. If you plan on doing a lot of finger/box joints for example then you probably want a pretty good one.

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Bob Adams

· #3 · Aug 24, 2017

KhalTom said:
If I work with a lot of 3/4 " hardwood does the quality of dado make a big difference? I'm not talking about some 20$ set, I mean is their a difference between an oshlun Dado set and a Dadonator. I know their will be some differences, one is more than twice as much as the other, but is the difference in the cuts?

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Yes there is a huge difference, not only in quality of cut, but longevity. I think I have been through about 5 different sets over the years. I finally ended up the Forrest Dado King. It was expensive but it cut quality is outstanding. I have a friend with the Dadonator and he is equally impressed with that. If you cut a lot of dados go with a set that is going to give quality cut. For me it was a "buy once, cry once" decision, and there wasn't that much crying.:wink:

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DaninVan

· #4 · Aug 24, 2017

re the CMT comment, Charles; 5?! I thought there were just three(?).
Circular saw blades - CMT Tools

Industrial circular saw blades-Precision dado-CMT tools
Industrial circular saw blades-Precision dados-CMT tools

greenacres2

· #5 · Aug 24, 2017

"Dadonator" is Infinity's dado stack. Gets good reviews. I've not used it, but the few Infinity cutters I have used have been very good. The Oshlun I had was very good for the money, the orange CMT set is my daily user (got it for $40 at Lowes--was scuffed packaging!!) and I like it. For when it matters--exposed dadoes--I have an Amana set that I got a great deal on as well, much cleaner cut than the CMT and flatter bottom.

Having used those 3, i'd call the Oshlun a great value at retail price. The CMT I would buy at full retail if I had to replace it as well, but i'd probably buy the Oshun over the orange CMT. The Amana is the best of the 3, but i doubt i would have ever been comfortable paying full price--not because it's not worth it, only because my skill set the rest of the project usually makes the exposed dadoes look like the best part of the piece!! ("Honey, that cabinet just won't fit our décor. But the DADOES are incredible!!")

earl

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Stick486

· #6 · Aug 24, 2017

KhalTom said:
does the quality of dado make a big difference?

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Hades yes...
here....
Freud Tools | Compare

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DesertRatTom

· #7 · Aug 24, 2017

You can use a router plane to flatten the bottom of a dado or groove. Old fashioned, but a pleasand activity if the groove bottom isn't flat as you'd like.

Stick486

· #8 · Aug 24, 2017

DesertRatTom said:
You can use a router plane to flatten the bottom of a dado or groove. Old fashioned, but a pleasant activity if the groove bottom isn't flat as you'd like.

if your dado set is leaving that irregular of a bottom it's time to get the set matched ground or replaced...

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Cherryville Chuck

· #9 · Aug 24, 2017 (Edited)

DaninVan said:
re the CMT comment, Charles; 5?! I thought there were just three(?).
Circular saw blades - CMT Tools

Industrial circular saw blades-Precision dado-CMT tools
Industrial circular saw blades-Precision dados-CMT tools

I'm having trouble finding the list I've seen before but as best I recall it was something like Contractor (cheapest), ITK, ITK Plus, and 2 more at the pro level. I've tried finding a listing of Amana's blade pecking order but I've never been able to come up with one and there are no dealers around to look at stock.

Stick486

· #10 · Aug 24, 2017

Cherryville Chuck said:
I'm having trouble finding the list I've seen before but as best I recall it was something like Contractor (cheapest), ITK, ITK Plus, and 2 more at the pro level. I've tried finding a listing of Amana's blade pecking order but I've never been able to come up with one and there are no dealers around to look at stock.

careful...
CMT - CS leaves a lot to be desired..
Amana - subs to china... QC sucks...

JIMMIEM

· #11 · Aug 24, 2017

I have the Oshlun set. It does a good job and the price was right. You get what you pay for.....buy the best you can afford. I have several Infinity blades which are very good. The Infinity Dadonator was a little more than I wanted to spend based on my needs.

DonkeyHody

· #12 · Aug 24, 2017

I suffered along with a cheap stacked dado set for many years. Then I bought a Freud Dial-a-Width stacked dado set. The difference is night and day. Clean square-bottom dados with no tear-out. It was a substantial investment for a dado set, but I've never regretted it.

https://www.amazon.com/Freud-Dial-W...82813&sr=8-1&keywords=freud+dial+a+width+dado

Gene Howe

· #13 · Aug 24, 2017

Mine is a Tenryu set that I had match ground, as Stick recommends. No more bat ears.
I know I'm in the minority but, Freud blades are totally unsuitable for me.

Danman1957

· #14 · Aug 24, 2017

I bought the Freud set years ago (10+) and have had great results. Back then I think it was $119, now they sell for about $179 at the big orange. I would not hesitate to recommend it. As for the other brands and don't think they are available in my neck of the woods.

DesertRatTom

· #15 · Aug 24, 2017 (Edited)

After doing a little research it seems that there's a big difference in the number of teeth on the chipper. After looking around, I think the Forrest Dado King, 8 inch set would be my choice. Each chipper has 4 teeth. My present off-brand set's chippers have only 2. The premium sets all seem to have extra arms and teeth on the chippers. For hardwood, I would think that would be beneficial and extend the life of the set. Having them match ground would give you best results, I'm sure.

Infinity has an interesting blade shaped sizing disk. Fit the board in a slot and it gives you the set of blades and spacers to get you very close to the final fit. Seems to be set in 32nds. The method I use is to stack the blades to match the thickness of the workpiece, then add spacers via trial fit. My set comes with metal spacers that I would keep if I bought new.

But I also have a DadoWiz to use a router for exact fit dados using a down spiral bit. It is so close a fit that I add a sheet or two of paper to make room for glue. The jig rides on a straight edge and is really nice to use. I really like it in some ways better than a blade set, and it is a must for stopped dados.

If I were popping for a set, I'd give the Forrest high marks.

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JIMMIEM

· #16 · Aug 24, 2017

DesertRatTom said:
After doing a little research it seems that there's a big difference in the number of teeth on the chipper. After looking around, I think the Forrest Dado King, 8 inch set would be my choice. Each chipper has 6 teeth. My present off-brand set's chippers have only 2. The premium sets all seem to have extra arms and teeth on the chippers. For hardwood, I would think that would be beneficial and extend the life of the set. Having them match ground would give you best results, I'm sure.

Infinity has an interesting blade shaped sizing disk. Fit the board in a slot and it gives you the set of blades and spacers to get you very close to the final fit. Seems to be set in 32nds. The method I use is to stack the blades to match the thickness of the workpiece, then add spacers via trial fit. My set comes with metal spacers that I would keep if I bought new.

But I also have a DadoWiz to use a router for exact fit dados using a down spiral bit. It is so close a fit that I add a sheet or two of paper to make room for glue. The jig rides on a straight edge and is really nice to use. I really like it in some ways better than a blade set, and it is a must for stopped dados.

If I were popping for a set, I'd give the Forrest high marks.

DadoWiz sounds interesting....where to get it? A lot of work setting up a table saw dado blade for one or two dados.

DesertRatTom

· #17 · Aug 24, 2017

JIMMIEM said:
DadoWiz sounds interesting....where to get it? A lot of work setting up a table saw dado blade for one or two dados.

Just looking around it seems this is no longer made. There are a number of exact fit dado jigs out there by other manufacturers. Glad I have one, with the down spiral bit, it does really clean dados in even cheap ply. Can't vouch for the ones available now. You can also make an exact fit jig of your own using the search on the forum, or look it up on YouTube--fairly easy to make and works well.

boogalee

· #18 · Aug 24, 2017

JIMMIEM said:
DadoWiz sounds interesting....where to get it? A lot of work setting up a table saw dado blade for one or two dados.

Search for dadomax. rockler possibly peachtree.

DesertRatTom

· #19 · Aug 24, 2017

Looks like this basic tool was picked up by Infinity cutting tools. But it is a little different in operation. There is an opening through which the bit fits. You can drop a small piece of the stock you're using into this opening, add a slip of paper for glue space, and that opening will be an exact fit. This is simpler than the Dado Wiz, which had pins to set the exact width. Otherwise it is the same jig. Here is a video (which does not show the fitting I described)

This is the webpage for the Infinity jig, it is cheaper than the DadoWiz was. The guide clamp looks to be the same as the one I have, but I have a 4 foot version--it is a pretty standard clamp.

https://www.infinitytools.com/routi...ides/infinity-tools-precision-router-dado-jig

JIMMIEM

· #20 · Aug 24, 2017

DesertRatTom said:
Looks like this basic tool was picked up by Infinity cutting tools. But it is a little different in operation. There is an opening through which the bit fits. You can drop a small piece of the stock you're using into this opening, add a slip of paper for glue space, and that opening will be an exact fit. This is simpler than the Dado Wiz, which had pins to set the exact width. Otherwise it is the same jig. Here is a video (which does not show the fitting I described)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMUomuXvHDQ

This is the webpage for the Infinity jig, it is cheaper than the DadoWiz was. The guide clamp looks to be the same as the one I have, but I have a 4 foot version--it is a pretty standard clamp.

https://www.infinitytools.com/routi...ides/infinity-tools-precision-router-dado-jig

Thank You. I buy a lot of Infinity products and receive their catalogs. Must have overlooked this product.

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