To Dado or Not to Dado? What a question!

Thanks for the review. I have been eyeing this set for a while. It’s good to know it performs well.

I have that set, got mine a bunch cheaper when Rockler had them on DEEP sale. (Club discounts and all came to something like $40.00). I walked into my Rockler looking for the Freud like so many have bragged about. I am completely satisfied with the Oshlun, and like the chippers a lot better than the Freud…

-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!

I have also been looking at this set because of the price and good reviews, now I guess I should go get one.

What is the max depth of cut with the 6” set?

Alex

-- Alex

Max depth on my saw is approximately 1 1/16”, it may vary a tad with different table saws. I don’t think I’ll ever need anything deeper…but there is always ye olde chisel and mallet.

-- Doug, New Mexico.......the only stupid question is one that is never asked!........don't fix it, if it ain't broke!

glad you got this worked out ,
now would you buy a 52” wide-belt , double belt with platen and laser automatic height adjustment sander ,
( and all the grits for it ) ?
i need to sand large things , like doors and tabletops ,
and just using yours would save me a trip to albuquerque .
we can hinge two opposite walls of your shop , to use it !
see if you can find one for around $100.00 , and i’ll chip in $ 20.00 to cover the shipping cost !

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

thanks for the review

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

I can’t see any need for more than 1 1/16” for anything I do so I will go with the 6” and save $20 or so. Thanks for the info.

Alex

-- Alex

impressive! Thanks for the review.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I am in the market for a set also, and have a saw with similar specs. I am planning to convert it to 220 volts to cut down amperage draw when I have my sawdust collector running. I may convert the dust collector also.

Anyone able to comment on the Freud vs the Oshlun? Or just the Freud alone. I doubt anyone would have experience with both.

After reading this thread, I did a couple of searches, and got a wide array of choices in Freud alone, with tremendous price variations. A thread here at Lumberjocks, http://lumberjocks.com/topics/6240#reply-62939, also supported the Oshlun, and the Freud SD208.

The price difference, shipping not considered is $85 for the Freud SD206, and $70 for the Oshlun 6”, not too much.

And what about the premium Freud choices, such as the SD606 or SD506. Hmmmmm, its got my head spinning, need more coffee….....

HELP!

-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska

Nice review Doug.

I have the basic Freud 8” dado set which I paid about $90 for. It is good quality and does a nice job. It has
two full outer blades and from 4 to 6 chippers. I forget. My saw has a short arbor so I cannot use more than about 3 of them.

The chippers tend to leave a rough bottom. It looks like the Oshlun leaves a much cleaner bottom. Freud sells
something they target toward making box joints which is suppose to leave a cleaner bottom. I don’t know if it uses chippers or full blades like the Oshlun set.

I have found a few instances where I really needed the 8” set. I was building a potting bench for my wife and needed to notch out the side of several redwood 2×4’s to 1.5” (to accept another 2×4) and didn’t have the reach with the 6” set that I already owned. This is how I got permission to buy the 8” set. ;)

Tom

Thanks Tom. I am leaning towards the Oshlun, everything considered. Doug, or anyone else, did the Oshlun have the proper shims and stuff to make a dado for 1/2” or 3/4” ply, which I measure at about 15/32 and 23/32, or about 1/32 narrow? I really don’t know much about dado sets, so this may be a unneccessary question.

-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska

Good review Doug. I have been looking at the Oshlun for a while now. I think you made up my mind.

-- Senior Chief

Jim…...
The set comes with shims and a 3/32” cutter which will, in some combination, accommodate the under size plywood. All blades/cutters/shims are listed in above review.

-- Doug, New Mexico.......the only stupid question is one that is never asked!........don't fix it, if it ain't broke!

Thanks Doug.

I kinda assumed that was the case, but I noticed some sets made a special point about it. Good review, I think I will give them a whirl. Since I will be replumbing my saw for 220 (as I recall that can be done with my motor), I think I’ll go for the 8” re Tom’s comment.

My wife already has me building outdoor items….....in her mind…......you know….after I finish the items selected in the Art’s and Craft’s book she gave me. I think she selected the first 5 items listed…end tables, chairs, etc. Right. I looked at it, and toward the back were book ends. Yup. That will be my first real project. (She gave me the book years ago, prodding me to get into woodworking, which I am just now doing, at least as a real hobby).

Jim

-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska

Jim..
the 8” Oshlun set is available at Amazon for $79.99 with free shipping….Rockler is $89.99 plus shipping, and Tool King $72.95 plus shipping. Amazon by far best deal. Good luck!

-- Doug, New Mexico.......the only stupid question is one that is never asked!........don't fix it, if it ain't broke!