Dado-stacking for dolts...

[Ben Brewcat]

When stacking a dado set (my instructions clearly assume previous experience, which I lack), it says to alternate successive chippers 90 degrees. However, that'd mean that the blades of chippers 1 and 3 (for example) will have to sit right on top of each other, which seems to actually mean slightly offset because the width of their teeth is greater than the width of the (second) chipper body in between. Should one "spiral" the chippers to keep their blades from touching? Should the chipper blades be centered between outer blade teeth, or be backed up snug against one? Is it important to have the outer blades aligned with each other? What's the guideline for stacking these things? Some help for an aspiring ninefinger, please ;)

And also do folks make a throatplate that you use when dadoing w/ a tablesaw?

This is a Freud DD208 set if it helps.

[honeyman46408]

I don`t think I ever set mine up the same way twice, if it works just do it.

Also mine is a $20.00 set from Harbor Freight and I don`t remember if it had instructions :D

[BjornBee]

90 degrees or 180???

[peggjam]

I don't pay much attention to how I stack them, just make it so that the chippers don't touch each other, works fine.

[Ben Brewcat]

It said 90; they are like a lawnmower blade w/ 2 "working" ends. I was hoping it wasn't critical or dangerous to flaunt directions. I've heard that teeth touching can chip them.

[NW IN Beekeeper]

Saw motor bearings.

You can stack your blades however you want, it just depends on how long do you want your saw to last?

It is best to stack your blades "balanced".

My set for a 3/4" cuts require 2 outer blades and 4 chippers. The outs don't matter - they are balanced already. The 4 inner I stack 90 90 45 90. This keeps the weight of the blades balanced.

If you don't do this, the in-balance creates a wabble that will eventually distroy the bearings in your saw. This is why stacked set are superior to a single blade "wabble" dado kit.

Besides A balanced set gives a better clean cut because the burden of the cut is balanced about the entire circumference of the blade set.

Just really be sure each chipper is faced in the right cutting direction, there's nothing like the thudding sound of a backwards blade. In case its not so obvious, if you get a blades width black burnt streak down a cut - likely one chipper is backwards.

Good luck, I love my set, it makes everything look professional and saves so much time. (maybe even a finger or too if you're not so good with a chisle and hammer!)

Chipping can also happen when the set isn't properly tightened - so many blades, be sure to bunch them up and reasonably tighten them down. I normally can hand tighten my set, but I have to tool to unloosen after use.

Use your judgement, I know you're a smart guy, I know we won't have to nick name you stubby.

By the way, anyone heard how stubby's wooden leg therapy is going?

[ January 29, 2006, 02:22 AM: Message edited by: NW IN Beekeeper ]