Freud Super Dado Problem(?)

[Jim Eller]

Question about my Freud Super Dado, Model SD508.

While doing a dado the other day I need to add a .020 shim to get the right size.

I put the shim next to the outside cutter and when I went to tighten the nut it seemed more difficult(spongy) than normal. When I first tightened it I check the chippers and they were loose so I put a little more force on it. When I turned the saw(PM66) on it looked like a wobble dado(not to that extent but it was noticeable).

I unplugged the saw and disassembled the dado.

What I found was that the shim center hole was deformed a little. It looked like the shim went down into the arbor threads before the nut was tightened.

So, I elected not to use the shim and just make two passes.

Solutions please.

Jim

[Dell Littlefield]

I have had the same problem with my cheap ol' Harbor Freight dado set. I found that if I put the shims on after the first outside blade, there is usually enough smooth arbor to prevent this. If I have to use several shims and want to distribute them, I try to hold them tight against the stack as I install them. I just used a hammer to straighten the bent portion of the shim.

[Les Heinen]

Lick the shim and place it on the blade centering the two arbor holes. The surface tension of the water will hold it in place long enough to tighten the dados together. Water or light oil will both do the trick.

[Lee Schierer]

Most saw arbor shafts are threaded to tighten up on a regular thickness blade. Using a dado will get the chippers and one cutter over the threaded area. Place the shims when possible over the unthreaded parts of the arbor. Many folks use paper shims, which would not create the problem you had.

[Bill Huber]

Lee has it, I use paper shims on mine.

I just cut squares of paper and made a punch out of some tubing I had to punch a hole.

[Byron Trantham]

Magnetic shims don't move...

[Jim Eller]

And where do you suggests I get magnetic shims or how to magnetize the ones I have?

I like the idea.

Paper also sounds like a good alternative.

Jim

[Steve Jenkins]

for paper shims vanilla file folders are .010 thick.

[glenn bradley]

And where do you suggests I get magnetic shims or how to magnetize the ones I have?

I like the idea.

Paper also sounds like a good alternative.

Jim

I'm not Byron but here you go: http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/magneticdadoshims.aspx