If you are a master in woodworking or you are just getting started, you will need to have the right tools for the job at hand. Irrespective of the project you are taking on, having a good blade or set of blades is one of the keys to your woodworking success. A dado cutter will offer you great service when you are making joints. With a good dado blade for your saw, you will make the right joint cuts to facilitate the success of your woodworking project.
This cutter easy to use – it is all about installing dado blades into a radial arm saw or a table saw. Your goal should be to find the best blade. There are hundreds of blade brands on the market, so one of the most important decisions is the size – do you need a 6 of 8 inch blade? Then choose whether you need a wobble blade or you need dado stacks. So, what is the best dado blade for you?
This article is a comparison of the 8 best dado blades.
BEST DADO BLADE 2024
Freud SD208 8-Inch Dado – Best Dado Blade for Professionals
The Freud SD208 8-Inch Dado was engineered to offer clean edges with square shoulders and flat bottoms. Freud’s dedication to precision cutters has made the saw popular among many woodworkers. Each blade in the set sports MicroGrain carbide tips with an anti-kickback design. While it comes sharp and highly accurate, you can resharpen the blade for even better precision. This is a blade for those who need to cut grooves between 1/4 and 7/8 inches. It is offered with a shim set for better precision.
These 8-inch blades have 12 teeth with 5/8 arbors, allowing them to cut grooves and dadoes that are splinter free.
The blades are designed to accommodate a wide range of materials, making them handy for different projects. Again, the blades require less power to feed, making them suitable in lower-powered saws. You can use them for projects that involve hardwood, plywood, softwood and laminate. However, it is not recommended for use on non-ferrous material.
The Freud SD208 8-Inch Dado comes with a number of precision-grade features including 2-wing chippers, shim set and spacers, which allow fine adjustments. With these features, you save time and energy while having enough control over your blade. With the shim set, you can make dadoes and grooves on thin pieces of wood.
Its anti-kickback design ensures safety while you are working. Each blade is made of Freud’s TiCo High Density Carbide. This makes the blades long lasting even after continuous sharpening. By making their own carbide, Freud is able to create precision blades for different applications. This is one of the sets in this dado set review that is recommended for professionals.
Pros
- Blades are long lasting and accommodate frequent sharpening
- Comes with manufacturer’s lifetime warranty
- Highly versatile
Cons
- Cannot cut non-ferrous material
Dewalt DW7670 8-Inch Stacked Dado Set – Best 24-Tooth Stacked Dado
The Dewalt DW7670 is another great 8-inch dado blade set. It is designed to make smooth and clean joints. Even though it is a high quality set, it comes at a relatively high price. It features heavy-gauge laser cut plates, making it long lasting while ensuring precision cutting at all times. The 24-tooth blade spins at a high speed of up to 7000 RPM. Each blade comes with four chippers, each with four teeth. This makes it easy for you to make fine adjustments for joints cutting accuracy.
With heavy gauge laser plates, you can resharpen these blades for even better accuracy without shortening their productive life. Fitted with micro-grain carbide teeth, the blades provide clean cuts while preventing splinters.
With each unit, blade, you are offered stainless steel shim sets, which allow precision width adjustments. It also comes with a storage case to protect the blades from chippings and other damage. The Dewalt DW7670 8-Inch Stacked Dado Set comes in handy for different joints including dados and half lap joints on hardwood, softwood, and a number of other materials.
This stacked saw blade is recommended for all conscious wood workers interested in making smooth joints on wood consistently. As it is efficient at cutting various materials, you can use it as a professional and for home DIY projects. However, it is not suitable for non-ferrous materials.
Pros
- Sports heavy gauge laser plates for true and precise cuts
- 24 micro-grain carbide teeth offer clean cuts while reducing splintering
- Chippers provide smooth and flat bottom cuts
- Stainless steel shims allow you to make ultra-fine width adjustments
- Heavy duty storage case
Cons
- The blade leaves a small ridge on the outer section of a dado cut
Forrest DK08244 Dado King 8″ Blade Set – Best Set for Thin Plywood
Forrest is quickly rising to be one of the most trusted blade manufacturers thanks to their dedication to precision cuts. The Dado King, as its name suggests, sports a superior and unique design, which allows it to offer smooth cuts at all times. The smoothness of the cuts you get with this blade is amazing. Each blade is designed to run quietly. The backside tear out on plywood has been reduced to ensure that you get clean cuts even in thin wood. This is a feat most blades on the market have not achieved.
The blades’ teeth are unique – they sport the innovative 300-degree ATB tooth style. This reduces splintering significantly when you are cutting with a radial or table saw. Each blade was designed with a lot of attention to detail. According to the manufacturer, each blade is ‘almost handmade’.
The plates are hand-tensioned before they leave the factory workshop for up to 15 minutes. Each of the C-grade 4 carbide teeth are also hand brazed and to the blade plate to ensure the accuracy of design and precision of cuts. There are many other construction processes that are done by hand. During the manufacturing and processing of the blades, each blade is hand straightened for optimal cut quality. This level of care is extended to Forrest blades.
The Forrest DADO King is a blade that has found favor with a high number of veteran and starter wood workers. Its robust build with extra features make it an ideal unit for all. While it has a premium price, this stacked blade set is recommended for all.
Pros
- Sports a sturdy steel plate for extra stability while operating
- The negative face hook is an added feature to improve performance and rigidity
- Each blade is hand straightened for optimal cut quality
- The innovative 300-degree ATB teeth reduce splintering during the cut
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Freud SD508 8-Inch Dado – Best Dado Blade for a High Number of Materials
The Freud SD508 8-Inch Dado is a premium blade that comes with great features for the best cuts. First off, it features two-outer blades which can be resharpened for precision cuts. It also has six chippers, which allow you to make precise bottom cuts. Even better, you get a shim set, dado usage guide and a storage case to get you started.
This blade comes in handy for a wide range of woodworking materials. Use it on hardwood, plywood, softwood and a variety of other materials. It allows you to cut dado widths from 1/4 inch to 29/32 inch/inches. You are also offered a 3/32-inch clipper, which is ideal for cutting dadoes on very thin modern plywood without leaving tear marks on the underside.
Each blade sports 24 high quality teeth with 5/8 arbors. This allows the blades to create clean, smooth and flat dadoes without splinters. The blades are able to make clean cuts the first time without to the need to repeat. The company offers a lifetime guarantee on the blade set, guaranteeing their quality. This is the best dado blade set for professional woodworkers and hobbyists who are willing to spend a couple extra dollars to get quality cuts consistently.
Pros
- Each blade sports high-gauge carbide and titanium with a flawless finish for durability
- 8-inch blades are ideal for deep cuts
- 24-tooth blades enhance the smoothness of dadoes and grooves
- Provides accurate cuts without the need for repeated passes
- Best dado blade set for radial and table saws
- Suitable for use on a wide range of woodworking materials
- Anti-kickback features keeps you safe during cuts
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Oshlun SDS 0842 8-Inch 42-Tooth Stack Dado Set – Best Stacked Dado Set with 42 Teeth
The Oshlun SDS-0842 comes as a 16-piece stacked dado blade set. It has more pieces on a single stack than most sets in this review and on the market. This gives you good value for the money. Each blade is 8 inches and sports 42 teeth for fast and precise cuts. This is the highest number of teeth in this dado set review. With a high tooth count, you are guaranteed smooth cuts from 1/4-inch to 29/32 inches. Each blade features C-4 micro-grain carbide tips that enhance the sharpness of the blades and edge retention. You can use the blade for different materials including hard and softwood, and plywood without strain.
Chippers included in this set feature a full body to reduce vibrations during operation. This also makes them easier to set up compared to the wind style chippers. With chippers, you are able to make smooth bottom cuts. You are offered shims designed to make fine adjustments easy. A detailed installation manual and a storage case accompany the blade.
This blade set is inexpensive and it has more blades than most sets in the market. Again, it has a high teeth count for precision cutting. It is therefore recommended for woodworkers on a budget who are interested in quality blades.
Pros
- High tooth count enhances the smoothness of dado cuts
- Full body chipper reduce vibrations, making setup easy
- High quality shim set for precision adjustments
- Offered with heavy-duty storage case
- Great value for the money
Cons
- Blades are quick to rust
MIBRO 416381 8-Inch Carbide Stacking Dado Set – Best 24-Tooth Blade Set
The MIBRO 8-Inch Stacked Blade Set was designed for precise flat-bottomed grooves in different types of woodworking materials, including hard and softwood, plywood and composite wood materials. The set is ideal for grooves between 1/4-inch and 13/16-inch with 1/16-inch increments. Its versatility allows it to make different cuts including groove, rabbet, dado, fillet and mortise, and tenon.
Each set comes with fourteen 8-inch 24-tooth blades. You are also offered an instruction manual and a compact storage case.
Each set is offered with outside cutting blades with 5/8-inch arbor holes. The blades can spin at a maximum speed of 5000 RPM. There are 2 outside blades with a unique tooth pattern – 5 beveled teeth with a straight raker tooth following them. An anti-kickback feature makes the cutting operation safe for all. The extra-large carbide teeth are electronically welded into the blade body with automated German equipment.
The unit comes with 5 chipper blades – one 1/16-inch chipper and 4 1/8-inch chippers. These chippers make it easy for you to cut flat bottomed grooves. Better yet, you are offered 7 metal shims, allowing you to make width adjustments between 0.004 and 0.096 inches. This unit is recommended for professionals as well as hobbyists.
Pros
- Carbide tipped chippers and blades are highly durable
- 7 highly accurate metal shims for precision cutting
- 14 pieces offers you all you need in a dado set
- Blades are lightweight and affordable
- Comes with compact plastic case
Cons
- Features thin spacers that are sharp enough to trim fingers
Irwin Tools 1811865 Marples 8″ Dado Blade – Best Lightweight Dado Stack Set
This is one of the lightest blade sets in these stacked dado blade reviews. It is a unit for those in woodworking who love using light tools. The set weighs only 1.8 pounds and includes 2 outer blades, 7 shims, 3 chippers and 3 spacers.
The blades are made of high quality material, allowing you to sharpen them without compromising their productive life. These carbide blades sport oversize teeth with a flawless finish, allowing them to offer high quality cuts while still extending their life.
Each blade has a precision tension that enhances accuracy when cutting. The non-stick coating on each blade is heat resistant, making the blades durable. This blade set is recommended for those who need precision cutting blades at a great price. It is an ideal unit for regular use by professional woodworkers thanks to its light weight. The blade works perfectly on plywood, melamine, softwood, and hardwood.
Pros
- Works perfectly in radial arm and table saws
- Designed with oversized resharpenable carbides
- Non-stick coating makes the blades heat resistant
- Precision tension allows flawless cuts
- Easy to clean and easy to sharpen
- Versatile
Cons
- Relatively low edge retention
Oshlun SBJ-0830 8-Inch Dado Saw Blades – Best for Box Joints
The Oshlun SBJ-0830 8-Inch Dado Saw Blades comes as a two-piece joint and finger joint set designed for professionals and hobbyists interested in box joints. Each blade has 30 teeth engineered to make smooth fingers and square notches. It is designed for use on 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch box joints. This makes it a versatile blade, considering that these are the most popular joints.
Each tooth on this blade features precision ground C-4 micro-grain tungsten carbide tips with high edge retention. It cuts through hardwood, softwood, and a variety of other materials without much strain. To get started, you are offered an instruction manual and a storage case. The unit is praised for its perfect square fingers and flat bottomed notches. You can switch from 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch cuts by simply reversing the inner and outer blades.
The blades spin at a maximum speed of 7000 RPM. The set has a single pair of 8-inch blades. This makes it ideal for those who want to add blades to an already existing set.
Pros
- Made of professional grade C-4 carbide
- High quality carbide tips retain edge
- High tooth count for precision cutting
- Works well with different saws
Cons
- Only two blades in the set
Buyer’s Guide
You can check table saw dado blade review articles online, but unless you know what to look for, you might still end up with the wrong blade. Most dado blade reviews offer you a list of products to choose from. To choose the best blade amongst those on the market. Dado blades are powerful tools to have in your collection of woodworking tools. Read on to learn more about dado blades.
Types to Choose From
There are two main types of dado sets:
Stacked Dado Set
Stacked dado blades are loved for their versatility. They have two outside blades, chippers and shims, which enhance the precision of cuts. The width you get with these blades is dependent on the number of chippers used between the outside blades. Most sets come with between 4 and 6 chippers. These units are precise and long lasting. Most of them are resharpenable, and they can be used on a wide range of materials. However, these sets are relatively expensive and challenging to set up.
Wobble Dado Blade
Wobble blades are simple and act as a single blade system. Instead of stacking, the blades use a different method to make grooves. The functioning of this blade requires that you install a single wobble blade with a hub which you use to adjust angles. The angles cause the blade to spin in a wobbly manner instead of spinning accurately like stacked blades. As this wobble blade spins at high speeds, it cuts through the material. Wobble blades are affordable and easy to set up. However, they are less accurate and often damage the saw.
Considerations when Buying a Dado Blade
You can choose a single blade from the best dado blade reviews above. A dado blade is a must-have tool in a workshop for serious woodworkers. With so many blades on the market, it is a challenge to choose the best. When shopping, consider: the following factors.
Blade Type
This should be the first thing that you choose. Do you need a stacked blade set or a wobble blade? Stacked blades are preferred due to their accuracy, but they are relatively pricey.
Compatibility
Dado blades are designed with a few variations, unlike other blade types. Granted, compatibility issues are minimal. However, you need to understand saw blade specifications to match the blade to the right saw. Teeth per inch, TPI, is one of the factors you need to consider when matching blades to saws. The blade material and hook angle also matter when matching blades. A high TPI is ideal for materials that chip easily while a low TPI comes in handy for high quality materials. Dado blades with a hook angle of 0 degrees are suitable for table saws while blades with -10 or -5 degrees are ideal for radial arm saws.
Power and Size
The dado blade needs to be attached to a saw that will run it smoothly. These blades are either 6 or 8 inches, with the latter offering deeper cuts. Blades that are 8 inches will require powerful saws such as cabinet saws or contractor saws to operate them. 6-inch blades work perfectly on different saws irrespective of the power. Blades are rated for a given speed and they should be matched with saws that offer that speed.
Insert Plates
Insert plates refer to the space that the blades protrude from. When you are searching for the best dado blade, this is an important factor as it determines the saw you mount it on. When planning to use the blade on a table saw, a customized insert plate comes in handy.
Common Joints
There are a variety of joints you can make with a dado blade. Considering the joints that a dado blade makes can help you in choosing the best dado stacks. Some joints include:
- Dado Joint: This is the most common and the simplest joint to make. It is a simple trench made either perpendicular or across the grain of the wood. When viewed as a cross section, the joint has three sides.
- Finger Joint: Also referred to as a comb joint, this joint involves cutting corresponding rectangular slots on two different pieces of wood and then joining them with wood glue. This is one of the strongest joints in woodworking.
- Tenon: Tenons are used when making the popular mortise and tenon joints. It is a small rail formed at the end of a piece of wood to be inserted into a square or rectangular opening that has been drilled out on another piece of wood. Tenons should be made to fit perfectly on the mortise.
- Rabbet: A rabbet is a groove made into the end of a piece of wood. When viewed from the side, it appears to be two-sided. This rabbet opens into the edge of the surface.
Conclusion
Your needs will determine the blade you choose. Most blades come in handy for hobbyists as well as professionals. The saw you have, whether a table saw or radial arm saw, will also be crucial in the blade you choose. Fortunately, these blades cover different budgets, allowing you to make your choice with ease.