New dado set user

[Rick Herrick]

My Dewalt 745 has been having issues so I looked into a small upgrade and got the Dewalt 7491.  It has the dado capability so I purchased a Freud set.  The cardboard insert instructions look simple enough.  I wanted to test a 1/4" dado and it obviously said to use the 2 main blades only.  I did that and ended up with a .234 wide dado.  I am using BB 1/4" ply here and it is about .242 so that cut didn't work out.  I was able to get it with one of the shims that came with it (good supply of both shims and spacers).

Am I missing something on the use of these?  Not sure why the instructions said just the 2 main blades for 1/4", yet thats not what I got.

 

[TSO_Products]

Rick,
that's what the shims are for - to sneak up to exactly what you need. Especially true with wood- and sheet goods dimensions being all over the place.

I consider your experience normal.
Did you also get some extra throatplates for "zero clearance" to match your frequently used thicknesses?

Hans

 

[Rick Herrick]

Thanks Hans, I get why the shims are included but I would have thought I would have gotten a 'dead on' using their chart.

I have several dado ZCI plates on order and I have heard even the Dewalt one is plastic (don't get me started on Dewalt's customer service).  I also ordered some wood ones from a guy on Etsy but nothing is here yet.  One big problem with this saw is that it has some curtain/webbing surrounding the blade, for better DC, but they get in the way of a ZCI sitting flat so one any ZCI needs to account for that.

 

[Packard]

I've cut shims out of magazine covers.  As long as it does not compress, it will work. 

I have two dado sets:  One with a positive hook angle that I bought for my table saw and one with a negative hook angle that I bought after I got my radial arm saw. 

The positive hook angle cuts faster; the negative hook angle cuts cleaner, especially on melamine clad material and the latest plywood with the ultra-thin veneer.

I almost always use the negative hook angle set for both saws. 

I also have a tenoning attachment for the table saw.  Cutting shoulders on the attachment is much faster and the results are much cleaner than nibbling away with a regular blade. 

 

[rvieceli]

[member=74278]Packard[/member] Which tenoning jig do you use? Are you happy with it?

Thanks Ron

 

[Packard]

When I get home, I will check.  I bought it over 20 years ago.

 

[Packard]

I went home and found that it was a Delta jig.  It is easy to adjust and holds the pieces firmly.  I just have to remember to check clearances as you can have the blade hit the casting if you do not.

I got this in 2000 from a store that was going out of business.  It had already been replaced by a newer model that was about $100.00 cheaper.  But he matched the newer price and this is a more substantial jig.  I don't think this is available new anymore, but refurbished and used are available on Ebay for about $140.00.

 

[Bob D.]

I have that same Delta tenon jig [member=74278]Packard[/member] and which I bought around 2002/3 IIRC.