Dado Insert for my saw

My guess is that you are going to have to make one. They are real easy to make if you have a router table. Every saw takes a different fit and unless Sears makes one, and I didn’t see any on their site, it isn’t going to be likely that a 3rd party will make them.

-- Lee in Phoenix

I also have a Craftsman saw though not the same model. I would highly recommend you make a zero clearance insert. For one thing … it’ll be much cheaper than anything you can buy. However, I believe you can buy pre-made zero clearance inserts for most any saw at places like Woodcraft, Rockler, Peachtree, etc. Just google it. BTW – I also bought a “real” one from Sears for my saw. Used it once – got terrible tearout.

-- Don

Thanks guys. I guess I will just start focusing my time on making one. I appreciate the input. Any ideas on a good material to use? I think that the insert in there now is only about an 1/8” thick. I was thinking maybe a plexiglass or something like that.

-- WoodRipper

I just made my first insert, was not hard at all. I have a Ridgid saw and I use 1/2” MDF. You could use hard board, I wouldn’t use plexi glass, if you blade hits it, you could crack it our evey send peices flying.

-- Alex

DON’T USE PLEXIGLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
MDF will do just fine. If ya want something a little fancier, get a scrap of Corian or Wilsonart acrylic countertop material. It machines well, and won’t shatter like plexiglass.
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

Well, glad I mentioned that. Stopped me from doing something stupid. Thanks for the ideas guys. I will let you know how it goes. It might be awhile though.

-- WoodRipper

I have the same saw, and just out of sheer ignorance I made my zero clearance and dado inserts out of a plate of phenolic I bought at my local woodworking store. Both have served me well, although it was a lengthy trial and error process before I managed to get a good fit for both.

-- "The only thing that counts is faith, expressing itself in love." --Galatians 5:6

Thanks shopguryl, i will definately pay more attention to how I word my posts from this point on. I like the idea of the 1/2” with a rabbit.

hasbeen is the phenolic hard to work with?

-- WoodRipper