Dado sets on a table saw: which saws take one, and how wide, from the makers' manuals

What is a dado set?

Bosch's TS1006 insert instructions describe a dado set as an accessory system used to make non-through grooves or lap cuts on work pieces, and say these tools are commonly used in furniture and cabinet building.

DEWALT's DWE7491 manual says a dado is used anytime a cut is required that is considerably wider than the saw kerf, and that a dado cut is commonly used to add support and line up a shelf for a cabinet or bookcase.

DEWALT says its DW812DADO set includes 2 outer blades, 3 chippers, 3 spacers and 7 shims, for grooves from 1/4" to 7/8".

Freud's dado set-up chart says to use dado set components only with the set they were designed for, and never to use chippers without both outside blades.

Taikra doesn't rank or test tools; every figure here is from the maker's own page or manual, linked. Each manual is the reference for its own saw.

Which table saws take a dado set?

DEWALT's two jobsite saws differ here. The DWE7491 manual lists dadoing among the saw's non thru-cutting applications, while the DWE7485 manual says not to use dado sets, multiple blades or shaping cutter heads on that saw. (DEWALT)

SKIL's TS6307-00 manual lists a max dado cutting width of 5/8" alongside a 10" blade size and a 5/8" blade arbor.

Makita's manual for the 2705 table saw lists a maximum dado capacity of 21 mm (13/16").

Bosch lists its TS1014 dado insert for the GTS15-10 worksite saw with a max blade size of 8 in. and 13/16 in. as the cutting width.

The jobsite table saw and table saw pages list each catalogued saw with a link to its maker's pages.

How wide and how large can the stack be?

DEWALT's DWE7491 manual says not to stack dado blades thicker than 13/16" (20 mm) and not to use dado blades larger than 8" (200 mm) diameter.

Bosch's TS1006 instructions say the GTS1041A table saw can accommodate dado cutting up to 13/16" wide in a single pass, and not to exceed a stacked width greater than 13/16" on that saw.

The same instructions say that if the stacked width is more than 1/2", the table saw's arbor nut is not used, and the clamp assembly included with the TS1006 accessory is used instead. (Bosch)

Freud's chart lists its SD600 series dial-a-width sets as cutting dadoes from 7/32" to 29/32" and its SD300 series from 1/4" to 7/8", and says to check the table saw manual or consult the manufacturer for the maximum allowable dado width.

So the widest setting a dado set offers can be wider than the limit a saw's manual gives; the saw's own figure is the one its maker publishes for that saw.

Inserts and the riving knife

DEWALT's DWE7491 manual says that when using the dado, the special dado insert (also sold as an accessory) must be used, and that the blade guard assembly must be removed.

Bosch's TS1006 instructions say to use the saw insert when sawing and the dado insert when dadoing, and that the accessory is for 0 degree cuts only.

Makita's 2705 manual describes a dado position in which the riving knife/spreader unit is locked just below the table behind the blade, a position used only for dado cuts with a dado type blade.

SKIL's TS6307-00 manual says that after a non-through cut such as dadoing, the riving knife goes back to the extended-up position and the blade guard and anti-kickback device are reattached.

The full set-up steps, and every warning that goes with them, are in each saw's manual; Taikra does not restate them.

Dado diameter and arbor size

Freud's chart lists 6" and 8" outside blades on a 5/8" arbor for its SD500 series, and 10" and 12" outside blades on a 1" arbor.

Freud says its SS100 shim set works with stacked dado sets on table saws with a 5/8" arbor, and its SS200 with a 1" arbor.

WEN's table saw guide gives 5/8" as the standard arbor size, the size of the hole in the center of the blade.

For diameter, arbor and kerf on an ordinary blade, see replacing a table saw blade; for how the saw classes differ, see table saw classes.