Best Dado Blade for the Money | Reviews and Buyers Guide
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Welcome to our dado blade review, which also includes a buyer’s guide. If you are an ardent woodworker, you know how essential it is to have the right tools for your job.
Regardless of what you are making, you will need a dado blade set. This powerful tool allows you to form precise and smooth joint cuts when joining pieces of wood. Like most tools and accessories, there’s a lot to choose from, and finding one compatible with your table saw or radial arm saw can take a lot of effort. And then there’s the issue of quality! You can choose to get different blade sets over time or settle on the right set and stick with it. This article provides our honest and in-depth opinion on 5 of the top-rated dado blades currently available.
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect in this best dado blade set article:
- First, we show you our top picks and compare them side-by-side in a comparison table. Perfect if you’re short on time!
- Next, we take an in-depth look at the features and benefits you’ll love
- Then, we explore the drawbacks we think you need to know about
- And finally, our buying guide will give you a much clearer insight into the product range
Sound good? Great, let’s begin!
Buy on AmazonDado Blade Comparison Table:
CLICK any image to see Ratings & Reviews on Amazon
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | DEWALT DW7670 Stacked Dado Set | Click Here | 4.9 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | Oshlun SDS-0842 Stack Dado Set | Click Here | 4.7 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | The Mibro Group 416381 Dado Blade Set | Click Here | 4.6 / 5 |
  | Freuds 8" X 24T Super Dado Sets | Click Here | 4.6 / 5 |
  | Porter-Cable Adjustable Dado Blade | Click Here | 4.5 / 5 |
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Best Dado Blades of 2021 | Reviews
1. DeWALT (Model DW7670) Stacked Dado Blade Set (Best Overall)
- The DeWALT DW7670 is one of the best stacked dado blade sets in the market right now. It is an eight-inch blade set that will come in handy if you would like to make smooth and precise cuts. However, it comes at a higher price, and if you settle on it, be sure that you will spend quite a good amount.
- This 24-tooth dado stack saw blade is of high quality. It can spin at a maximum speed of 7000RPM, which is quite remarkable. The set also includes four chipper blades with four teeth. If you need accurate cuts, the heavy gauge laser plates will serve you well.
- The four tooth chippers are put in place to give you smooth, flat bottom cuts.
- The stainless-steel shims in the stacked dado set blades are responsible for ultra-fine width adjustments while the heavy-duty storage case keeps the dado cutter in the perfect condition, protecting them from chipped teeth and damage, enabling precise cuts.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Oshlun (Model SDS-0842) Stack Dado Set (Best Value)
- Our second product is a 16-piece dado blade set from Oshlun. This is the perfect item in case you are looking for a set with many pieces. This eight-inch stack dado blade set comes with amazing 42 teeth blades with tungsten carbide tips, that work their magic! Let us take a more in-depth look at what it has to offer.
- The 42 teeth ensure that you will make smooth dado cuts of different inches. A notable feature that will help you as you work on your surfaces is the C-4 micro-grain carbide tips that can cut through different surfaces without losing their sharpness.
- This blade set also comes with full-body chippers that reduce vibration and have an easy setup. These are a speciality blade and way better than the wing-style options. You also get a shim set feature if you need to make fine adjustments or work on particular projects as it enables you to adjust the dado width. Oshlun will give you a lifetime warranty upon purchase.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Mibro Group Stacking Blade Set
- Our third product is this 14-piece stacked dado blade set by the mighty Mibro Group. It is a little bit cheap compared to other options but still works the magic for a precise cut. The set is made of high quality and super durable blades.
- You can use this set with most table saws thanks to the eight-inch blades. These dado and chipper blades come with carbide tips that improve their dado cut performance on top of making them highly durable. Due to this, they are long-lasting, reliable, and highly suited for their functions.
- In the set, you will get two outside circular saw blades, six chippers of different inches, and seven metal shims. Keep in mind that all the chippers come with twin tooth for added functionality. The shims play an essential role in adjusting the width for precise cuts, which you can use for dado groove cuts, square shoulders, and flat bottoms.
- To properly house these blades and chippers, you get a durable plastic case that will serve you well.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. Freuds 8″ X 24T Super Dado Sets (SD508)
- This is one of the most expensive dado blade sets that we have featured on our recommendations. However, this set has some of the best dado blades that you will ever come across. Despite the high price tag, it offers you value for money. It is compatible for use on all table saws and radial arm saws for groove cuts, dadoes, slots and rabbets.
- The eight-inch set comes with two outside blades and six four wing chipper blades that enable you to work more efficiently with more smooth edges on your cuts. Other components include a shim set, dado tips, and a fantastic storage case to keep the blades in perfect condition. You can use this set to work on several woodworking materials, ranging from hardwood to laminates.
- Therefore, you are sorted whether you are cutting through plywood, chipboard, softwood, hardwood, or any other materials that come to mind. In this collection, you will find amazing 24-tooth carbide tip blades with a 5/8-inch arbor nut and arbor washer to create clean, flat, and splinter-free dadoes. This saw blade set pretty much doubles the amount of slot widths as it's fully adjustable and offers fine-tuned adjustments in 1/32-inch increments.
- To make the deal even better, this blade set comes with a lifetime warranty. This is outrightly one of the best deals you will land in the market.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. Porter-Cable (Model 70000132) Adjustable Dado Blade
- Our last product features a fantastic adjustable blade set from Porter-Cable. From the user reviews, it is quite evident that this blade set does its work well. The cutting blades are appropriately made to cut through different surfaces and woods at ease.
- The blades are also relatively faster to set up compared to a multiple blades dado. Since they are adjustable, you will mostly end up with accurate widths, which is crucial if you are working on high-precision jobs. However, there are no adjustment marks on the blade which is a shame as you're going to have to measure manually and this may lead to some errors.
- It is worth noting that this product cleans dadoes and grooves in different widths. The super sharp carbide tips are meant to help you cut through different wood surfaces at ease, though you may have to use some force to do so. The tips can deliver a maximum RPM of 7000, which is quite sufficient for high—precision projects. Overall, this is a decent blade but you do get what you pay for so don't expect it to perform as well as those in the higher price bracket, because it won't!
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Video: What is a Dado Blade?
Dado Blade Buyers Guide
Getting the right tools for your projects will save you added costs and a lot of frustrations. If you are a woodworker, you know just how much you need to be precise with your craft. In this article, we will look at the dado blade, which is an essential tool for a woodworker, and what you need to consider before getting one.
What is a Dado Blade?
A dado blade is a circular saw blade used with a radial saw arm or table saw to cut a dado or groove while working on wood. Before their advent, people used a specialty plane or chisel to produce rivets, but this was hectic and took a lot of time.
Generally, there are two types of dado blades that you need to know before purchasing one. The first one is the stacked dado, made of two circular saw blades fixed on removable chippers. These chippers dictate the width of the grove. The stacked dado is not easy to set up and might be time-consuming.
The second type is the wobble blade, a single blade system that you can efficiently operate. It is mainly a circular blade mounted on a hub. It is easier to set up and comes at a lower price. The only downside is that the wobble dado blade will not give you a clean groove like the stacked blade.
Dado Blade Features
You need to have a few things in mind before settling for the best dado blade. These will dictate whether you get the right product or not.
Blade type
We have looked at the two options available (Stacked dado & wobble dado blade) in the market. Keep in mind that these types have their advantages and disadvantages. While one is cheap and easy to use, it does not give out cleaner and well-cut grooves.
If you need more accuracy, you should settle on the stacked blade. It gives cleaner and more decent grooves. It is also highly versatile and can cut through several surfaces with ease. If you settle on the wobble dado blade, keep in mind that it is less accurate and will need a less powerful saw while working on your projects. The only advantage of the wobble blade is its cheapness and ease of usage.
Size
While this may not be one of the most important factors, you need to pay close attention to your dado blade’s size. Fortunately, most of these blades measure 8 inches, which is enough for versatile usage.
With the right-sized blade, you will easily create grooves for any project. However, keep in mind that you must have a power saw if you settle on a more significant edge. Therefore, if your saw cannot deliver, get the 6-inch blades.
There are different sizes, including the ten- and twelve-inch blades, but they are most suited for industrial use. To be on the safe side, go for the eight-inch blade, and get a powerful saw.
Compatibility
This is a significant factor that you must take into consideration. Before getting any of these blades, make sure they are compatible with either your table or radial blade saw. Luckily, most of these are universal and can, therefore, work with any saw.
However, it would be best if you still ascertained this before buying one. A notable hack for compatibility is checking the teeth per inch (TPI) factor, which will help you know what your saw can work with to get the best blade.
All these blades have a standard speed, meaning that you need a saw that matches up to the speed. You should check whether the arbor in your table is long enough to hold your dado set.
Keep in mind that this comes naturally in the design. Therefore, do not try to improvise the arbor to fit your dado set, or you will be putting yourself and those around you in grave danger. A shorter arbor means less power. Such a blade cannot efficiently hold and operate a complete dado set.
To save yourself from all these problems, get a compatible blade, and you will be good to go. While focusing on compatibility, you need to check out the diameter of the blade. This will determine the saw blade that will fit your dado blade.
As a heads-up, 6-8 inch diameter blades are usually smaller and relatively lighter and do not need powerful saws. However, if you settle on the industrial blades, you must understand that they are generally heavier and require more power. Your saw blade should, therefore, be more powerful.
Precision
Precision is of the essence when cutting through wood or related surfaces. Therefore, you should strive to have aligned and smooth edges that will easily fit other workpieces. You cannot achieve this if you do not have the right dado blade.
When buying a dado blade, make sure that it will not give you uneven edges that make your results look unprofessional.
Durability
The durability of your dado blade will dictate how long you will get to use it. It would be best not to part with tens or even hundreds of dollars on an item that will not last any longer. When shopping, make sure that you pay attention to the material used in making the blade.
If you want to be safe, get a dado blade set made of premium quality materials such as carbide if you need to save costs. Such blades will serve you longer than you can expect.
Reviews
You need to find out other user’s experiences when using the blade you are targeting. You will quickly know whether a product is authentic by looking at the reviews. Before making a purchase, make sure that you read different online reviews and customer feedback. If the product has more positive reviews, you can go ahead and get it.
Conclusion
You must always strive to get the best tools for your projects. If you need the best dado blade, follow our buyers’ guide and cross-reference to the 5 product reviews.
Our Best Overall award went to DeWALT DW7670 Dado Blade Set as it delivers highly accurate and clean cuts is durable, and has a max speed of 7000RPM.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Best Value pick was Oshlun SDS-0842 Stack Dado Set, as you get a lot for your money. The dado blades are super top quality and offer clean cuts.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We hope you have found our article helpful, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
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CLICK any image to see Ratings & Reviews on Amazon
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | DEWALT DW735X | Click Here | 4.9 / 5 |
  | WEN 6552T | Click Here | 4.7 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | Grizzly Industrial G5851Z | Click Here | 4.8 / 5 |
  | DEWALT DW734 | Click Here | 4.7 / 5 |
  | Makita 2012NB | Click Here | 4.6 / 5 |
  | Morphon Thickness Planner | Click Here | 4.6 / 5 |
  | POWERTEC PL1252 | Click Here | 4.5 / 5 |
  | CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Planer | Click Here | 4.4 / 5 |
  | Porter-Cable PC305TP | Click Here | 4.4 / 5 |
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When I’m not testing and reviewing tools, you’ll find me in front of a hot BBQ, cold drink in hand, cooking up something big, and spending quality time with my wife and two boys. I’m also often found in my workshop working on my next project!
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