Best Dado Blade
Whether you’re a woodworker or enthusiast DIYer, cutting dadoes or making grooves into wood might cross your mind sooner or later. And that’s when the best dado blade comes into the scene. Designed specifically for this type of job, a dado blade will help you remove material and cut smooth grooves into your workpieces.
Useless to say they will save you a lot of time, by avoiding you the use of a good old hand chisel.
Here's a list of Best Dado Blade
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However, since dado blades are not something you’ll use on a daily basis, choosing the best could be confusing even for an expert. There are various types out there; then you must consider the materials they are made from and a bunch of other things.
In this guide, I aim to address all your concerns. Let’s have a look at the various types of dado blades, learn how to pick one, then don’t forget to check out my selection of the best dado blades. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll be able to find the right ones for you.
What is Dado Blade?
What is commonly referred to as a dado blade is actually a set of blades consisting of cutting blades, chippers, shim blades, and negative angles. And that’s usually where the confusion begins. Because every woodworker – amateur or professional – would expect to start looking, well, for a blade and not for a set.
However, investing in a set makes sense after all. The cutting blades are designed to cut the edges of the grooves on each side, whereas all other components of the kit are designed to remove the material from inside the groove and smoothen it.
But this description is only valid for one type of dado blades. There is also another type that works slightly different. Here is a more in-depth look.
How to Choose a Dado Blade
If you aim for simplicity of things, a wobble dado blade could be the one for you. Yet, if you care more about the results and are up for a challenge, investing in a stacked set of blades could be the right thing to do. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Tool compatibility
Regardless of the type of dado blade you need, tool compatibility is undoubtedly the first thing to check. Most stacked blades on the market are compatible with circular saws and table saws. The diameter of the blade is usually a good indicator of the required power.
Smaller blades require less power, and you can pick a 6-inch blade to start with. Larger blades go up to 10 or 12 inches, but a good compromise, at least in my opinion, is the 8-inch blades.
Capabilities
Another thing to check is the blade’s capability of cutting the desired type of groove. Some blades are designed to cut simple grooves only. Others may also cut dado joints and rabbets. If you aim for versatility, pick a set of blades able to handle everything you’re throwing at it.
Top 5 Best Dado Blade
1. MIBRO 416381 8" Carbide Stacking Dado Blade Set
Highlights
Complete Set
Undoubtedly the best dado blade set on the market, the MIBRO 416381 consists of fourteen different blades with slot widths that range from ¼ to 13/18 inches, with 1/16-inch increments. This ensures suitability for a wide range of applications, allowing you to cut smooth and precise grooves with clean edges, flat bottoms, and perfectly square shoulders.
Blades
Designed to withstand high-volume use, the blades included in this set have carbide teeth. The set includes two 8-inch outer blades, five two-wing chippers, and seven metal shim blades designed for fine adjustments.
Overall Assessment
Available in various purchase options and consisting of high-quality components, this set includes all dado blades you need for quick and precise groove cutting into wood and a variety of other materials. All come packed in a convenient hard case for easy storage and hassle-free transport.
2. Oshlun SDS-0842 8-Inch 42 Tooth Stack Dado Set
Highlights
Quality
Another high-quality dado blades set comes from Oshlun and comprises a variety of saw blades, chippers, and shim blades designed to provide a smooth and flawless finish. It is ideal for cutting grooves, dadoes, rabbets, and slots in hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, and other engineered wood materials.
Purchase Options
Designed with both woodworkers and hobbyists in mind, this set comes in two purchase options. The all-purpose variant includes 8-inch blades, but you can also choose the variant with 6-inch blades if it’s more fit for your needs.
Overall Assessment
Perfect for a wide range of applications, this set comes in two different sizes and promises to deliver smooth and flawless results in a variety of wood and engineered wood materials. Coming at an attractive price and packed in a convenient storage and transport case, this is undoubtedly another great dado blade set to consider.
3. DEWALT DW7670 8-Inch 24-Tooth Stacked Dado Set
Highlights
Versatility
Designed by DEWALT but compatible with a range of different brands, the DW7670 dado blades set is perfect for cutting through hard and soft woods, melamine, plywood, MDF, and a variety of other materials. Spinning at maximum 7,000 revolutions per minute, the blades in this set make clean, smooth dado cuts and not only.
Value
A bit more expensive than other options but manufactured from prime quality materials, the blades in this set promise a long lasting life. Their durability and reliability pay off in the long run, justifying a slightly higher upfront investment.
Overall Assessment
Coming in a set ideal for professionals, these dado blades appeal to woodworkers, furniture makers, and DIYers. It comprises blades made from high-quality materials which are safe even at higher speeds. Perfect for making dado cuts, rabbet cuts, half-lap joints, and a variety of other cuts in most wood materials.
4. Freud 6" x 10T Pro Dado Set
Highlights
Durability
Designed for unrivaled performance in a variety of materials, the Freud Pro Dado Set includes blades manufactured from the best materials. The teeth are made from premium titanium-cobalt high-density carbide that will last for a long time even when used frequently. Moreover, a silver coating prevents built-up on the blade surface, keeping it cool and clean.
Size
Ideal for precision woodworking, this set incorporates 6-inch saw blades, three chippers, spacers, and shims. Everything is packed in a convenient hard-case box for easy transport and storage. A nice feature is the negative hook angles, also included in the box.
Overall Assessment
Greatly priced for its quality and comprising long-lasting, durable components, this dado blades set brings true value for money. Perfect for precision cutting, it appeals to both professional and amateur woodworkers, and it is suitable for a wide variety of applications. Undoubtedly, a great set to consider.
Freud SD206 Dado Set Video Review
5. Freud SD208 8-Inch Professional Dado
Highlights
Materials
Engineered for high-speed precision cutting, this set of dado blades is made from the highest quality materials. The teeth are made from Freud’s signature titanium-cobalt high-density carbide, ensuring a long lifespan and flawless finish.
Shim Set
Perfect for finishing woodworking applications and groove cutting, this set includes a convenient shim set designed for micro adjustments. Besides this, the set includes two 8-inch outer blades and three 2-wing chippers.
Overall Assessment
Like the sets above, this dado blade set also impresses with the quality of its blades. Designed to last for a long time, they have strong carbide teeth and overall robust construction that withstands higher speeds. Perfect for professionals and hobbyists, this set also comes at a price that won’t break the bank.
Freud SD208 Dado Blade Video Review
Conclusion
Cutting grooves, rabbets, and slots in wood materials is easier when you have the best dado blade set. Finding the one most suitable for your needs is not always easy, but the options above are definitely a great starting point. Now, all you have to do is decide which one to start with.
