Can You Use 8-Inch Dado Blades on 10-Inch Saws. Table saw dado set

Can You Use 8-Inch Dado Blades on 10-Inch Saws?

Chris Baylor is a woodworking expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on commercial carpentry experience. He has studied under master carpenters and also designs wooden tools and furniture, sharing tutorials on websites including Woodworkers Workshop and Homemade Tools.

As long as the diameter of the arbor hole on the stacked dado blade set matches the arbor diameter of your table saw or radial-arm saw—and the arbor is long enough for a dado blade—you can use an 8-inch dado blade on a 10-inch table saw.

There are a couple of reasons why you don’t need a 10-inch dado blade set. Since dadoes rarely need to be cut deeper than about 1 1/2 inches, an 8-inch dado blade set will be large enough to cut most dadoes and rabbets.

By making the dado blade set only 8-inches in diameter, there is less weight to the blade set, which lightens the amount of effort that the saw must put forth to cut a wide, deep dado. It stands to reason that the smaller-diameter blade set likely costs are a little less than a 10-inch set (since there’s less steel needed to build the blades and chippers).

Check the Arbor Size

When buying a stacked dado blade set, be sure that you purchase a set with the correct arbor hole size for your saw. Most modern table saws and radial-arm saws have a 5/8-inch arbor onto which the blade will fit. However, there are a few rare instances where a saw doesn’t have a 5/8-inch arbor or the blade set doesn’t have a 5/8-inch arbor hole.

A blade with too large of an arbor hole simply can’t be balanced properly for use. Conversely, if your blade set has an arbor hole too small for your arbor, resist the temptation to drill out the arbor hole, as you may not only put the blade out of balance, but the heat from drilling may alter the temper of the blade.

Check the Arbor Length

Some table saws have short arbors that can’t safely accommodate a dado blade, or they can take a dado blade up to a certain thickness but no more. The rule of thumb here is that the blade must fit on—with the washer (never omit the washer) and nut—so the arbor extends at least a little bit beyond the nut. In other words, the nut must be fully threaded onto the arbor plus a bit more. If the nut is only partially threaded onto the arbor, the nut might come loose during the operation.

Dado Blades – The Beginners’ Guide of the Dado Blade

Do you have a woodworking project that requires making grooves or joints? That is where dado blades play since they can perform those tasks accurately and quickly.

This article provides a complete guide to dado blades for novices. If you don’t have previous experience with this accessory, you will now discover all its basics.

That includes potential applications, different types, and how to use this blade.Once you finish reading, you will be ready to make grooves and joints on your shelves, cupboards, and other woodworking projects.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 What type of saw uses a dado blade?

• 2.1 Stacked Dado Blade Set
• 2.2 Wobble Dado Blade

• 6.1 What are the joints?
• 6.2 Dado and Groove Joints
• 6.3 Rabbet Joints
• 6.4 Tongue-and-Groove Joints
• 6.5 Half-Lap Joints

• 7.1 Size
• 7.2 Scoring blades
• 7.3 Tooth Geometry
• 7.4 Chippers
• 7.5 Numbers
• 7.6 Shims
• 7.7 The bottom line.

• 9.1 Is a Dado Blade Necessary for Woodworking Projects?
• 9.2 Can I Install a Dado Blade Myself?
• 9.3 Is Using a Dado Blade on a Circular Saw Dangerous?
• 9.4 Can Any Table Saw Use Dado Blades?

Section 1 What Is a Dado Blade?

Caption: A dado blade closeup

Dado blades are a subcategory of circular saw blades designed to do specific tasks. Those tasks include cutting grooves and joints in wooden applications.

That ensures these units have a high versatility level. Users can apply them when making slots for two parts to come together, such as drawer bottoms or sides, shelves, door panels, etc.

1.1 What type of saw uses a dado blade?

A table saw is a tool compatible with a dado blade. However, the compatibility will depend on the specifics of the saw and the blade. That is why you should compare the measurements and ensure they fit each other.

Section 2 Are All Dado Blades the Same?

The market offers two different types of these tools:

Apart from the types, you will also find these units in different sizes. The standard size is 6-7 inches, while bigger tools have a diameter of up to ten inches.

2.1 Stacked Dado Blade Set

As the word suggests, a stacked dado blade features a series of blades packed together to design a big blade. This tool consists of several layers – the central one includes chipper blades that you can remove.

It is possible to adjust the number of teeth to four or more, depending on the task you need to find. On the outer sections, you will find stacked blades.

If you want extra precision, it is possible to use a blade interspersion strategy by adding spacers. These units are a usual accessory in a dado saw blade. The material used is plastic or metal.

2.2 Wobble Dado Blade

A wobble dado blade is not as standard as its stacked alternative. The specific thing about these units is that they have an offset rotation.

Even though there are no multiple blades, it is possible to achieve similar results to stacked counterparts.

The name of these blades comes because they sway while operating. That reminds some people of wobbling, which is why they received the wobble dado blade.

You can adjust the desired cut by setting the blade’s sides. It is not easy to operate a wobble unit since it is prone to vibration while in action. That is why beginners steer clear of them.

Section 3 What is the purpose of Dado blades?

Caption: Wooden components joined with glue

While setting up a drawer, you might need to connect two components. If you want to tie those two pieces, it is imperative to create woodworking joints. That is where dado blades come into play.

Besides drawers, people often use a dado blade for dividers, bookshelves, cabinets, cupboards, and any other woodworking project that requires cutting grooves.

Professionals might get by without a dado unit. Using a clamp guide or a miter saw can achieve the same results. However, many appreciate the simplicity of using a dado blade, and they prefer it for cutting grooves.

Section 4 How Does a Dado Blades Work?

Check out the blades on the outer side if you use a dado stack. You will notice more teeth than in the main chipper blades.

The difference compared to a standard table saw is that there should be an outer blade on the stack’s sides. It would help if you didn’t change these blades since that will compromise the operation.

One of them is facing the outside, and you should turn the other to the inside.

Now, the central blade will have fewer teeth. It is possible to adjust how many blades you want in the middle.

That will affect the cut’s width. Once you are ready, activate the tool and start cutting.

Section 5 How to Use a Dado Blades

Is it your first time using a dado blade? These are the steps to follow to ensure nothing goes wrong:

Before mounting a dado blade, turn off your table saw. Make sure it is unplugged, and disconnect it for your safety.

Place the blade on its highest possible adjustment. Remove the arbor washer and nut, as well as the throat plate. Finally, disconnect the blade you want to replace with the dado unit.

Insert an outer blade that is facing out first. Next, place the desired spacers and chippers in the middle to get the preferred setup. Finally, place the outer blade on the other side of the unit.

Ass the arbor washer and nut, and don’t forget to use a dado throat plate. Now, lower the blade.

Check if the flange, nut, and washer are mounted entirely on the tool’s arbor. Once you tighten the arbor, you should be able to expand it past the nut.

If using a dado blade set, it is critical to check if you have the desired configuration.

The teeth on the central chippers and outer blades should be staggered, and you should avoid aligning them since it can lead to chipping.

The only difference is the blade guard if you use a radial-arm saw instead of a table unit. You should remove it instead of the throat plate, and don’t forget to use a guard for the dado unit.

Section 6 What Joints Can You Make with Dado Blades?

Caption: Types of joints to make with a dado blade

An integral part of woodworking is joinery. It is a process where you connect multiple components. Before you use adhesives, bindings, or fasteners, it is essential to cut joints. You do that with a table saw dado blade.

The joints can vary in structure significantly. Check out the most common joint types below.

6.1 What are the joints?

A joint is a junction between multiple components of a framed structure. You will often find it in cabinetmaking and carpentry projects.

The purpose of a joint is to connect two parts and hold them in place. The connection strength must be optimal and capable of holding on for a long.

6.2 Dado and Groove Joints

Woodworkers often go with dado joints because they are easy to make with these blades, and they maintain a strong connection between the components.

Here is how a dado joint works – you start by making a channel with three sides in the first part. That channel goes across the wood’s grain, where you place the other components into the groove.

The connection strength is maximum because it utilizes three locations, and you also have extra space if you want to use glue.

Users often use these joints for shelves, bookcases, and cabinets.

6.3 Rabbet Joints

To create a rabbet joint, you can use a dado blade for a table saw. It is where you make a groove along the component’s edge. Thanks to that, you can connect parts flush with an element.

You should receive a wooden application with a lip that goes into that groove.

The great thing about rabbet joints is that they don’t make the connection obvious. It seems like components are from a single part, making them great for cabinet tops and other applications.

This video will tell you more about cutting dadoes and rabbets with a dado stack.

6.4 Tongue-and-Groove Joints

You use these joints to connect wood components on a single level. Users groove in one board to place the tongue protruding from the other component.

Tongue-and-groove joints are an excellent choice for parquetry, paneling, and flooring projects. Their main application is whenever you need to keep a flat surface while bonding multiple wooden components.

6.5 Half-Lap Joints

If the project requires connecting wooden components that cross each other, this joint will help maintain their faces flush. It is better to use this joint than a miter saw.

The method involves cutting 50% of the thickness of the wooden components to connect. Once you do that, you connect them to create a flat surface. You might need to add glue for an extra bond.

Section 7 How to Choose the Right Dado Blades Set?

The best dado blade is the one that fits the specific requirements of your project. It is why you should know how to pick a suitable unit.

Here are the factors to consider in the process:

7.1 Size

You can pick between the following cut widths – from 7/8 or 13/16 to ¼.” A standard-sized blade is adjustable to fit different widths.

Besides that, consider the diameter, which can go from six to ten inches. The reason why the diameter is important is that it determines cut depth.

The bigger it is, the deeper the cut will be. The price difference isn’t that big, and having a large blade can be useful because you will have additional depth options.

7.2 Scoring blades

If we say scoring blades, we discuss the cut quality with the desired tool. The scoring blades are on the outside of the unit and can vary in the number of teeth and their geometry and configuration.

The configuration includes beveled teeth, but you will also find flat raker units between them. You will find the beveled teeth pointing outside, and that is because they only cut one shoulder.

The number of teeth can be anywhere from 11 to 40 or more, and it is up to you to find the desired option for your project.

7.3 Tooth Geometry

The teeth’ shape can determine the cut specifics and quality. You want to consider a hook angle, which can vary from.5 degrees to 30 or more degrees.

The standard seems to be 20 degrees. You will find that this angle is the tooth’s position’s position to the blade’s center.

Some tools even have a negative hook angle, which can be beneficial when cutting plywood. You will benefit from this unit if you don’t want to chip along the shoulder.

7.4 Chippers

The chippers have the important task of eliminating the waste between the scoring blades. Thanks to that, they ensure a flat surface. It is why their teeth are flat, too.

Please note that chippers don’t have anything to do with a shoulder cut. You don’t need as many teeth per blade, but you can pick between two and six.

The bigger number of teeth on the chipper ensures a flatter surface on various applications.

7.5 Numbers

The more chippers you have, the longer the cut will be. You want to consider the number of chippers, which can be from two to six. An affordable deal might be going with three units with moderate width.

When it comes to the width, you won’t find wider ones than 1/8.” However, you will often find chippers available on 1/16 and 3/32.”

7.6 Shims

You can use these spacers between the blades to achieve higher precision and accuracy. That can be useful when you are aiming for cuts that might not be that standard.

If the need comes to tailor the blade to the application’s specifics, you can do that with shims.

If you look at shims, they are discs made of steel, brass, plastic, or paper. They determine the cut size to the smallest detail by putting the arbor between the chippers and the outside blades.

How To Setup And Use Dado Blades! | Table Saw Tutorial

7.7 The bottom line.

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all formula. Consider the desired application and pick a dado blade set accordingly. It would help if you began by assessing the features you need. Once you establish that, it will be easy to find a suitable tool.

You might need different types and sizes of dado blades for various applications. That is why you should go for the most versatile setup possible.

Alternatively, you can acquire multiple blades to be ready for every project type in the future.

Section 8 Dado Blades– 6 Inch Dado Blade VS 8 Inch Dado Blade

Are you wondering if you should use a small, standard, or large dado blade? The truth is it all depends on the desired project.

Thanks to these units’ various configurations, they are incredibly versatile and adjustable to any cutting width and material thickness.

For example, you can use a 6-inch dado blade for materials where you don’t need a too-wide cut. On the other hand, an 8-inch dado blade is considered the standard size in the industry.

These can achieve a decent cut width since they have a larger diameter. Ultimately, you should pick the unit that fits your project’s requirements.

Section 9 Dado Blades– Answers to the Common Problems

We gathered answers to people’s most common questions about the dado blade. Check them out if you want to learn more about these tools!

9.1 Is a Dado Blade Necessary for Woodworking Projects?

It is not necessary for woodworking projects, but it can make your job easier in many situations. A dado blade can be reliable if you need to cut joints to join two wooden components

Although it is not required, many operators trust this blade to deliver optimal performance whenever cutting joints.

9.2 Can I Install a Dado Blade Myself?

Setting up a dado blade shouldn’t be a problem if you follow the article’s instructions. Alternatively, check the manual you received with the product to safely discover how to place the blade on the tool.

Always stay safe while operating, and don’t forget about wearing protective goggles and other safety equipment.

9.3 Is Using a Dado Blade on a Circular Saw Dangerous?

Dado blades are compatible with radial-arm and table saws. That means you should avoid using them on circular and handheld tools! If you do that, you will compromise your safety.

You don’t want to risk getting injured or something else going wrong while operating, so make sure not to use a dado blade on circular saws.

9.4 Can Any Table Saw Use Dado Blades?

No, not all table saws are compatible with a dado blade. Additionally, your table saw might not fit all sizes of dado units.

For example, some tables can fit an 8-inch dado blade but cannot accommodate bigger items. Always check the details of both the tool and the cutter to ensure they are compatible.

Summary

Dado blades are not allowed in the European Union stores because they don’t meet the IEC and EN standards. That is why you might have problems acquiring them from shops around Europe.

NCCuttingTools is a manufacturer that provides a wide range of saw blades and customized services.

The skillful staff and superb equipment can quickly fulfill even the most demanding requests. Feel free to get in touch to discuss your saw blade needs!

Tables Saw Accessories

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8″ Pro Dado Set

To create clean edges, square shoulders, make flat bottom grooves and virtually splinter-free cuts

• Negative hook angles
• Features Premium TiCo HI-Density Carbide Crosscutting Blend for Maximum Performance
• Silver I.C.E. Coating prevents build up on the blade surface and keeps the blade running cooler and cleaner
• All blades and chippers come with Freud’s anti-kickback design

Ideal For: Ideal for underpowered saws

Machine Use: Table Saw, Portable Table Saw, Radial Arm Saw

Materials: Veneered plywoods and laminates to solid wood

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6″ Super Dado Sets

To create clean edges, square shoulders, make flat bottom grooves and virtually splinter-free cuts

• Adjusts in 1/32″ increments
• Features Premium TiCo HI-Density Carbide Crosscutting Blend for Maximum Performance
• Silver I.C.E. Coating prevents build up on the blade surface and keeps the blade running cooler and cleaner
• All blades and chippers come with Freud’s anti-kickback design

Ideal For: For cutting slots, grooves, dadoes, and rabbets in softwood or hardwood

Machine Use: Table Saw, Portable Table Saw, Radial Arm Saw

Materials: Veneered plywoods and laminates to solid wood

California Residents: WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm. www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

8″ Super Dado Sets

To create clean edges, square shoulders, make flat bottom grooves and virtually splinter-free cuts

• Adjusts in 1/32″ increments
• Features Premium TiCo HI-Density Carbide Crosscutting Blend for Maximum Performance
• Silver I.C.E. Coating prevents build up on the blade surface and keeps the blade running cooler and cleaner
• All blades and chippers come with Freud’s anti-kickback design

Ideal For: For cutting slots, grooves, dadoes, and rabbets in softwood or hardwood

Machine Use: Table Saw, Portable Table Saw, Radial Arm Saw

Materials: Veneered plywoods and laminates to solid wood

California Residents: WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm. www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Dial-A-Width Stacked Dado Sets

To create clean edges, square shoulders, make flat bottom grooves and virtually splinter-free cuts

• Adjusts in.004″ increments
• Features Premium TiCo HI-Density Carbide Crosscutting Blend for Maximum Performance
• Silver I.C.E. Coating prevents build up on the blade surface and keeps the blade running cooler and cleaner
• All blades and chippers come with Freud’s anti-kickback design.

Ideal For: Cuts clean flat bottom grooves in materials such as veneered plywoods and laminates to solid wood.

Machine Use: Table Saw,Portable Table Saw,Radial Arm Saw

Materials: Veneered plywoods and laminates to solid wood

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Dado Shim Set

These shims allow you to adjust your kerf width by as little as.004″ increments. These shim sets are included with all Freud Super Dadoes SD500 series and SD 200 series dadoes. Works with other brand 5/8″ arbor hole dadoes as well.

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MATCHFIT Dado Stop

MATCHFIT Dado Stop

Perfectly-fitted dados, joinery, and inlays without measuring, marking, or test cuts. Simple and easy to use, the MATCHFIT Dado Stop sets the shoulders of your cross dado using the actual part that will be fitted in the dado for a perfect fit without measuring or test cuts. No hassles, no tricky measurements, just perfect-fitting dado cuts.

It’s simple, Using the legs as a stop, make your start and finish shoulder cuts.

Use Leg #1 to cut your first shoulder. 2. Use Leg #3 to cut your second shoulder. 3. Clear the center.

Note: Microjig Matchfit Dovetail Clamp not included

For use with MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps (Itemsold separately).

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MATCHFIT Setup Gauge

The MATCHFIT Setup Gauge is used for setting up Microjigs MATCHFIT Dado Stop. The Setup Gauge will allow you to setup for both the left and right side of your table saw blade kerf without having to set up the Matchfit Dado every single time. By Cutting the blade kerf into the gauge it eliminates the steps of having to set the kerfs thickness on the dado stop.

The MATCHFIT Setup Gauge makes setting up the MATCHFIT Dado Stop:

Note: The Setup gauge is not required to use the MatchFit Dado Stop

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MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps

MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps by MICROJIG will revolutionize the way you work with wood. MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps move through the grooves below the material, allowing you to clamp anywhere, on any surface, without being confined to the edge. Features new rubberized soft-grip handle for better hold when clamping your next project, and expands creative freedom to build extension fences, tables, workspaces, and personalized track systems. See more product details

• Eliminate the need for expensive T-tracks by routing your own clamp tracks
• Compatible with any standard 1/2″, 14-degree dovetail router bit
• Simultaneously applies hold-down and in-line pressure as the clamp tightens.
• Combined forces keep your workpieces flat and eliminates the need for two or more different clamps

• 2 each MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps

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MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps. 2 Pack

MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps by MICROJIG will revolutionize the way you work with wood. MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps move through the grooves below the material, allowing you to clamp anywhere, on any surface, without being confined to the edge. Features new rubberized soft-grip handle for better hold when clamping your next project, and expands creative freedom to build extension fences, tables, workspaces, and personalized track systems.

Features

• Clamping Range: 0 – 5.25″ (0 – 133mm)
• Clamp Pressure: 595 lbs open at 4″
• (270 kg open at 100mm)
• Jaw Depth: 2.375″ (60mm)
• Minimum Dovetail Slot Length: 3.75″ (95mm)
• Dovetail Profile: 0.5″ by 14º

The MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamp allows for unlimited fence heights because the clamp arm seamlessly slides through the track without being limited by the arm like traditional clamps.

The Clamps hold the fence extension securely at the ends of the table saw fence preventing bowing out.

Create Your Own Dovetail Track System

Perfect for clamping home made jigs

MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps – the only clamps as free as your creativity. The breakthrough dovetail clamp arm design gives you the freedom to create your own track grooves using a dovetail router bit to clamp virtually anywhere.

Create clamping tracks virtually anywhere by routing dovetail grooves. Exert versatile clamping pressure without interfering with the operation by containing the MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamp head arm within the dovetail groove. It expands creative freedom to build:

• Use as hold downs on workbenches
• Mount outfeed extension to tablesaw
• Mount and infeed to tablesaw
• Personalized track systems
• Extend the height of your tablesaw fence
• Extend the height of your bandsaw fence
• Create your own sawtrack
• Create custom fences
• Use with Matchfit Dado Stop (sold seperately) to create perfect-fitting dados, joinery, and inlays with any saw blade, fast.
• and much morehttp://www.ptreeusa.com.

Includes: 2 MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps.

Note: Only works with 1/2″ x 14º Dovetails

Note: Routers, tablesaws, Matchfit Dado, bandsaw fences, K5, jigs, templates and all accessories are Not included.

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MATCHFIT Dovetail Router Bit (14-Degree by 1/2″)

MICROJIG’s exclusive MATCHFIT Dovetail Router Bit makes the MATCHFIT system faster and easier to use than ever before.

The MATCHFIT Dovetail Router Bit is designed especially for the MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps and dovetail hardware. Although it mills the same 14 degree, 1/2″ profile as a standard dovetail bit, its unique design automatically rounds over the sharp top shoulders creating incredibly clean dovetail grooves and virtually eliminating the need for sanding. Experience the difference supreme engineering and attention to detail make.

• Rout incredibly clean dovetail grooves and requires less sanding
• Perfect fit for the MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamp system
• Evacuate chips and dust, reducing friction, and heat, resulting in cleaner cuts.
• 14°, 1/2″ profile with unique rounded corners for smoother grooves
• Router collet safety line shows how deep into the collet the bit should be

Note: Gripper Not included

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This table saw trick may FINALLY end dado blades

MATCHFIT 1/4″ Relief Router Bit

Perfect with the Dovetail Router Bit.

Specially designed to route 1/4″ relief grooves in material prior to the MATCHFIT Dovetail Router Bit. The relief bit removes 55% of waste material, which reduces stress on your Dovetail Router Bit. This improves the quality of dovetail grooves and increases the overall lifespan of your MATCHFIT Dovetail Router Bit. Available in 1/2″ and 1/4″ shank sizes.

How it works. Make your tracks silky smooth.

• Removes 55% of waste material prior to routing dovetail grooves.
• Laser etched depth guide alls you to dial in cutting depth in a snap.
• The built-in roundover smooths out the top shoulders of the groove to prevent tearout.
• Relieves stress on router and improves lifespan of Dovetail Router Bit.
• 1/4″ diameter, 3-degree upshear carbide.
• 11/32” Laser etched depth guide to quickly set cutting depth.
• Built in roundovers for smoother cuts and less sanding.
• Extra wide shoulder reduces vibration and noise.

California Residents: WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm. www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

What Is A Dado Blade? [For Table Saws]

​A table saw is pretty unique and comes in handy for making those long rip cuts but there are specialty blades, like DADO BLADES that can add another world to your table saw but they are very weird.

They do serve a specific purpose and there are a couple of different things that you need to know about them to fully understand what they do and how they work.

​There are ​two different kinds of dado blades out there and they work differently, you need to see if your table saw can even use a dado blade and ​a couple of other ESSENTIAL pieces of info that are covered in this article will help you understand dado blades much better. Let’s dive in!

​What Is A Dado Blade On A Table Saw?

​A dado blade is used on table saws to cut a wider groove in material (usually wood) wider than a traditional saw blade would. Sometimes there are multiple blades assembled together (stacked dado set) or the blade can have a wobble to it (designed to move that way) which produces a wider cut and makes a wider ​cut than a single blade would.

​What Do Dado Blades Look Like?

​Like I stated earlier, there are two main types of dado blades and they will look a little bit different depending on which type you are looking at.

A stacked dado blade set will look like a series of cutters stacked together that form a much wider blade when assembled. A wobble dado blade will look very similar to a standard table saw blade but is designed to sway a little bit from left to right (hence the wobble) in order to create a wider pattern.

​Stacked Dado Blade Set: ​A stacked dado blade set is a kit that comes with many different parts to it and you stack them together to create the width of the groove you want to cut.

The majority of these “stacked dado sets” will have two outer cutters which looked like a typical tablesaw blade and on the inside they will use “cutters” instead which look something like the picture on the right illustrates.

​Most of the time, stacked dado sets will have a number of these cutters to choose from and if you happen to use them all it will give you the maximum with possible for that particular dado blade set. To make a narrower ​cut, you would ​only end up using maybe one or two of the cutters in the middle to get the desired width you want.

There is a specific way to set up and stack the blades so that you get the cleanest possible which is not too hard to do. All you really need to remember is that you want the inner blades (the cutters) two be offset from the outer blades and if you are using more than one cutter, they should also be offset from each other.

Here’s a quick video explaining how to set up a ​stacked dado blade set and shows a pretty good example of the group the diskette using the dado blade.

​​A Wobble Blade: ​These use a single blade to cut a groove in your material and they don’t actually wobble but have an offset rotation to them that produces the same result that a stacked dado blade set would.

These are not as good as a stacked dado blade set but our little bit cheaper (from what I’ve found) ​but can do the job pretty well. Check out the picture below and notice how the left side of the blade is resting on the surface and the right side of the blade is ​off of the surface quite a bit and this is how the blade design will actually make those wider cuts.

These “wobble blades” can be adjusted (in most cases) by either a screw that is located towards the center of the blade or by turning the plates located towards the middle as well. These types of blades also have a tendency to round out the top edge of the dado cut (slightly) and if you watched the blade spinning you would absolutely notice the pattern.

Here is another very short video that I found on YouTube that shows how these wobble blades span, how they cut and how they are adjusted. It is worth the 2 min. to watch the video to get a much better understanding of how the wobble blade works and what to expect.

​How Do Dado Blades Work?

​I went into a little bit of detail on how the two different styles of dado blades work (above) in the are a little bit different but basically they cut the same way that any other ordinary salt would, using a carbide tipped blade (in most cases).

A stacked dado blade set uses the two outer blades, which look like standard tablesaw blades, in sequence with the middle blades (cutter blades) that have the same type of cutter on them getting oral blades would but have far less teeth to them.

Wobble blades spin with a very slight “S” type of pattern to them in order to make the wide data cut possible using only one single blade. I would recommend watching the video I posted above on wobble blades because it will explain (in much greater detail) how the blade spins.

​A Dado Blade’s Range Is Important Too!

​Since dado blades (both stacked and wobble styles) are adjustable, you can have a little control over the width of the cut itself. Depending on your table saw and the type of dado blade set you are using, you can adjust the width of the cut by adjusting the blade itself (wobble blade) or increase or decrease the number of cutters you are using (stacked type).

​Will Any Dado Blade Work For My Table Saw?

​It is important to note that not all table saws have the capacity for a dado blade, so it is something you will want to check out before you actually purchase one if that is where you’re at in the buying process and if you already own one then you need to check to see if it is then possible to ​use a dado blade with it.

If you’re tablesaw is equipped to use a dado blade, you will need to see (from the manufacturer) what size dado blade will fit onto your particular model. Usually a manufacturer will list the data capacity of a tablesaw and this will be the maximum width of a stacked dado blade set that the tool can accept.

​Another thing you will need to check is how large your arbor size on your tablesaw is because not all tablesaw’s are universal and different dado blades will have different arbor requirements. In general though, most portable type of tablesaw’s will use a 5/8 inch arbor and a lot of the dado blade sets out there well actually accommodate a 5/8 inch arbor as well.

​Where Can I Find Them?

​Dado Blade sets can be found just about anywhere online and some box stores may even have them in stock. I would recommend buying them online now because from what I’ve noticed they have a much larger selection and there are even specialty dado sets that you can choose from that may work better for which you are planning on doing with it.

I ​have found many different dado sets at Amazon. Home Depot, Lowe’s and a couple of other online retailers so availability wasn’t really an issue and you can pretty much find them just about anywhere you go online.

​Don’t Forget The Throat Plate.

​It is very important that you you replace the throat plate on your tablesaw to accommodate the dado blade as well. often than not you will have to purchase a throat plate that is specifically designed for your tablesaw model and will have to buy it separately.

I have also seen people make their own out of wood or some other type of material like plastic or even metal sometimes and if you do this you sure you know what you’re doing and provide enough clearance for the dado blade tip clearance of throat plate, otherwise it may hit the throat plate and could possibly damage the blade or cause an injury of some sort.

​A Few Things To Remember About Dado Blades:

​There is a whole lot of information out there on dado blades so I wanted to include a short section that illustrates some of the basics associated with dado blades.

Most dado blade sets will have 8″ blades and are used for a 10″ table saw and is usually because a dado cut is not supposed to cut through the material fully, it is supposed to make a groove instead.