Dado sets CMT, Timberline, Freud ?

[Dave Westover]

A Woodcraft coupon arrival provided all the motivation I needed to buy a new dado set. ;) Hoping someone might offer insight.

Anyone have any experience with the CMT Dado Pro set? Reasonably priced as it is, Id be interested in how well it performs. Same question with Timberline. Its an inexpensive Amana made set.

http://www.woodcraft.com/search/search.aspx?query=dado

Woodcraft offers those two and the freud 208. I was ready to pull the trigger on the freud when I ran into that cmt. Many thanks for any input.

[Matt Ocel]

I'm very pleased with my Freud. I don't know anything about the others, but I sure like the way Freud has the spacer washers. You can set your dados for very exact sizes.

[glenn bradley]

I run a Freud SD508 and it does very well. I have not run the 208 but have read posts that folks like them.

[Chris Kennedy]

I have a Freud set and all I can say is that I really like it. Can't compare it to the others because I haven't used them. On the other hand, I have had my Freud set for 4 years and never considered a replacement.

Cheers,

Chris

[scott spencer]

As long as the quality is good, more teeth tends to make a smoother cut. The Freud SD508 should have a smoother cut than the SD208, but whether or not that improvement is worth the extra money is debatable. My SD208 was very good. My DW7670 was excellent for the price. My current Systimatic Superfine and Infinity Dadonator are outstanding. Holbren (http://www.holbren.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1) offers 10% to SMC members on Oshlun, Ridge Carbide, and Amana dado sets. (SMC10) Amazon is currently offering 15% off CMT.

[Dave Westover]

As long as the quality is good, more teeth tends to make a smoother cut. The Freud SD508 should have a smoother cut than the SD208, but whether or not that improvement is worth the extra money is debatable. My SD208 was very good. My DW7670 was excellent for the price. My current Systimatic Superfine and Infinity Dadonator are outstanding. Holbren (http://www.holbren.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1) offers 10% to SMC members on Oshlun, Ridge Carbide, and Amana dado sets. (SMC10) Amazon is currently offering 15% off CMT.

Dont see the 15% at amazon. Im checking holbren now. Thanks.

[Kevin Groenke]

I was sick of students busting up expensive dado sets so I bought a cheap set (~$60) a couple years ago. I thought it was a timberline, but I cant find it on the web now. It has 6 tooth round chippers - 4)1/8" 1)3/32" and 1)1/16" and came with brass shims. I didn't get it from Grizzly, but this LOOKS exactly like it:
http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-H7777-Dado-Blade-Set/dp/B000E3600C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1218592447&sr=1-3

Several other vendors/importers seem to be selling a similar/identical set.
http://www.holbren.com/product.php?productid=3744&cat=673&page=1
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/saw_blades.html
http://toolsandmore.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2600


We have a SystiMatic set, but the cheap one works just as well (inc. x-cutting veneer plys) and it's right at hand, so I rarely use any other. It's been pretty durable too, students haven't busted it up yet, weird. I don't think I'll spend $150+ on a dado set again.

-kg

[Bruce Wrenn]

I have a Forrest Dado King, and a Freud SD-208. Seldom if ever do I use the Forrest, as the 208 does everything I ask of it. Check out HD price on the SD-208. Often they will take competitor's coupons, which could result with an even lower price.

[Dave Westover]

I was sick of students busting up expensive dado sets so I bought a cheap set (~$60) a couple years ago. I thought it was a timberline, but I cant find it on the web now. It has 6 tooth round chippers - 4)1/8" 1)3/32" and 1)1/16" and came with brass shims. I didn't get it from Grizzly, but this LOOKS exactly like it:
http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-H7777-Dado-Blade-Set/dp/B000E3600C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1218592447&sr=1-3

Several other vendors/importers seem to be selling a similar/identical set.
http://www.holbren.com/product.php?productid=3744&cat=673&page=1
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/saw_blades.html
http://toolsandmore.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2600


We have a SystiMatic set, but the cheap one works just as well (inc. x-cutting veneer plys) and it's right at hand, so I rarely use any other. It's been pretty durable too, students haven't busted it up yet, weird. I don't think I'll spend $150+ on a dado set again.

-kg

Id be interested to hear how your students "broke" them. :eek: I dont need the best of the best either but I made the mistake of buying a cheap craftsman set. Live and learn.

[glenn bradley]

Just food for thought if you're not in a hurry. I picked my SD508 up for $150 with a 25% off Rockler coupon. They come along now and again. this puts you closer to the SD208 range (sorta). As I said before, folks who have 208's have given favorable reviews.

I didn't need a best-of-the-best set but when I thought about paying almost $100 for a "good" one, the extra $50 didn't seem like much for something I will use for years and years. I do have the ability to talk myself into almost anything if I really want it however ;-)

[Jude Tuliszewski]

Another vote for the Freud 508

[Mark Rios]

Another vote for the Freud 508


And again.....

[John Keeton]

a cheap craftsman set....
In today's world, that is a redundant statement! But, that was a subject of another thread.

Go for the Freud dial a width SD608 or SD606. If you can catch them on a 25% off deal, it is just a little more. That phrase, "just a little more" has been the self-justification basis for many of my purchases!!

The write-ups seem to have been very good. I just purchased the 606, but have not yet used it. Upon inspection, it appears to be a well-thought out design and setup should be OK.

In either event, go with Freud over the others mentioned.

[scott spencer]

Dont see the 15% at amazon. Im checking holbren now. Thanks.

Still there!

Special Offers and Product Promotions
Save 15% each on CMT Saw Blades offered by Amazon.com when you purchase 1 or more. Here's how (restrictions apply)

[Jason Whelehon]

One thing to consider is the undersized chipper. I thought I had some MAJOR arbor issues with my dado setup. Turns out the undersized chipper was falling into a thread on the arbor causing it to cut high (I have no clue WHY it did that). The fix was the shim the entire stack of cutters to the right side of the arbor.

Worked like a champ!

I have the SD208 and it's a SOLID dado set. And at just under $100 you simply cannot beat that price for quality. However, if you're a heavy user, it'd be a MUCH better investment to go with a 4 cutter chipper like the SD508.

[Geoff Potter]

I have the Freud SD208 and love it. If I had it to do over i would probably buy a 6" set. I have never had the dado higher than 1 1/2" out of the table. The 8" seems like overkill to me.

[Wayne Cannon]

Freud's "Dial-a-Width" dado set is definitely very convenient.

[Joshua O Lilburn]

I bought the CMT Precision set.

http://www.amazon.com/CMT-230-024-08-Tooth-Precision-Blade/dp/B000P4LR7Q/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1218727748&sr=8-2

for about $10 cheaper then they have it now. It comes in a great foam lined case with plastic blade separators between each blade.

I have been very pleased so far.

Joshua

[Mark Rios]

Congrats! WTG. I've heard others say that they love their CMT blades.