OF 1400 vs dial a width dado set

[Jimhart]

I know we've all been there...if I buy (Festool tool here), I can get rid of XX, XX and XX to offset the price.

I'm thinking that the OF1400, with rail and rail guide will allow me to cut dado's easier and at least as accurate as my dial a width dado set.

I'd still have an older dado set for quick rabbets, etc.

Any reason I can't sell off this great dado set if I pick up the OF1400?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[billybokay]

I havent done dados on a table saw in a long time. I did buy an undersize plywood router bit set in order to do the correct size with my 1400.
Actually I stand corrected. I do leave a 1/4 dado set in my 2nd table saw for drawers.

 

[gjfunk]

I wouldn't give up the dado for a router. I like having the power of a 3HP tablesaw for cutting dados and the dial-a-width allows you do cut dados in one pass.

Greg

 

[Fred West]

Jim, I am afraid I stand with Greg. I too would not give up that dial-a-width dado set. I have the OF1400 and it is wonderful but for a repeated number of dados I jump to my table saw. It is hard to beat the speed and the repeatability of the table saw. However, for fine or heirloom quality furniture I have taken to using the OF1400 as the lack of splintering makes it more than worth the extra time.

I have found that I use the "if I buy this XXX my work will look and feel better which means I may charge more for clients or enjoy it more at home or with relatives"  ;D Not to mention the incredible feel that comes with holding and using all of the Festool tools.  8) Fred

 

[nickao]

Different animals Jim. Some dado operations are so much simpler with the table saw it may be worth keeping it and selling something else off.

I recently went through the same thing and for every tool I used the 6 month rule. Every tool I did not  touch in the last 6 months I got rid of.

I am sure I will need one of them again sooner or later, but when I do I have a reason to go tool shopping. And all the neat tools and  gadgets I purchased because they looked cool or I thought would work for me and didn't are gone, freeing of space in my cramped shop.

Nickao

 

[Fred West]

Nick, feel free to ship all of those tools and gadgets my way.  8) Fred

 

[nickao]

I sold 51 of them(I am a gadget freak!) on eBay in 10 days and used all the money and then some on new FESTOOLS. I have 14 Systainers(Some just systainers no tools) I never even opened yet. Tomorrow I start playing with everything!

I have 8 tools, etc on eBay left to sell thats it.

Nickao

 

[Dixon Peer]

Don't sell the dado set.  Much faster and just as accurate.  I have a Sytematic dado set for my RT 40 Delta table saw, and I got a set of plastic shims from Charles G. G. Schmidt Co that I use to come to within a thousandth of an inch of the size I want the dado to be.  Measure first with a dial indicator, pick your shims, and your good to go.  I don't have any problems with tear out.

 

[Fred West]

So Nick, what is your name on ebay?  ;D Dixon, I very much agree with you on keeping the dado set. I have had some minor splintering with my table saw dado sets  but not enough to truly justify the OF1400 but I made sure not to let that hold me back.  8) Fred

 

[Jimhart]

Thanks for the balanced feedback. Given how much this group likes to use their Festools, the fact that so many of you still find the table saw the best way to cut dado's really carries weight.

Thanks again. I guess I'll sell one of the cars,

Jim

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Hey Jim,
Here's a practical example.  I'm making a hanging wall cabinet for my hand tools.  The shelves and drawer supports fit into stopped dadoes on the sides.  Its important that matching dadoes are at exactly the same height and stop at exactly the same point.  So I clamp the two sides together, put them on the mft and route the two sides simultaneously, guaranteeing same height.  Stops on the rail ensure consistent stop points.  Definitely a router dado.

On the other hand, the back of the cabinet is overlapping shiplap boards, two rabbets on each piece, running all the way through.  Just set the dado on the TS and crank em out.  Would have been way more trouble with a router, wouldn't fit on the mft without changing orientation of the fence.  Definitely a TS job.

I look greedily sometimes at how much space that TS takes and how many Festools I could get if I sold it, but there are a few niches where it earns its keep: through dadoes/rabbets, tapering, and a few jigs that are real handy.

 

[Jimhart]

I look greedily sometimes at how much space that TS takes and how many Festools I could get if I sold it..........

Jesse,

Good examples, thanks. If I sold my PM 66, I might get enough for a Kapex. 

Jim