Stacked dados again

[JFC]

Finally i've got a job that warrants buying myself a set of stacked dado cutters for my very old non braking DW RAS . Ill be nipping down to Machine Mart tomorrow to buy a set but just wondered if theres any tips or things i should know before i start cutting tenons into the 13 100 x100 Sapele stock . Do i need to make a few passes rather than one cut ? Will i need to remove the gaurd on the RAS ? ooooooo im all excited :lol:

 

[9fingers]

Careful! You will have the Dado Police on your tail.

You are possibly best advised to experiment with depth of cut. I'd suggest not taking more than 1/2" depth at a time especially if you are using full width. A lot will depend on the rigidity and bearings of your RAS.Worth taking the time to evenly distribute the chippers for best balance.

I imported my Freud Dado set from the US when on hols in '98 before Machine Mart started selling them and made a new spindle for my TS to take the extra thickness. Works a treat.

Good Luck

Bob

NB the dado set was NOT the reason for my username!!

 

[DaveL]

Will i need to remove the gaurd on the RAS ?

You may need a wide guard to allow the set to be fitted. I think Scrit will know what the correct set up should be.

 

[Bean]

#-o Nnnnnnnnnnnnoooooooooooo #-o

Bean

 

[Scrit]

#-o Nnnnnnnnnnnnoooooooooooo #-o

Bean

Just because I am rightly sceptical about the inherent risks of using a stacked dado set with no or inadequate guarding on a table saw doesn't mean that I'm unaware of how to set-up or use them in comparative safety - that's the benefit of being a trained woodworker, y'know :wink: . I have posted on this very subject, see here and scroll down. Probably more relevant is the thread about the RAS and dado heads started by Dicky here - note the point about the guard width. DW used to sell a wider guard specifically for dado heads. This is no longer available in the EU (DW no longer sells RASs in the USA), but I see no reason why a reasonable guard could not be fabricated from aluminium sheet and plywood as it's main purpose is to prevent your hand coming in contact with the cutter. The most important feature is the nose guard that this type of operation requires.

As to safety and correct set-up, the HSE guide here says it all, really, and includes information on safety in trenching (the British term, please) as well as general safe practice if anyone is interested in reading it - but I doubt you will, Bean :roll:

Scrit

 

[JFC]

Thanks Scrit , as you know im trade so your input and links will be very helpful . I think Bean was saying noooooo to the stacked dado again bit but i could be wrong :lol:
Ive not used the RAS for a while so this will be a good chance to maybe set it up again with a new bed and fence and get a few guards made .
Mind if i PM you scrit ? probably around 10 am tomorrow when im confused :lol:

 

[martyn2]

I think if you have a dewatt or Elu you will need a backing washer as i do for mine it should be all in your insturctions .

martyn

 

[Neomorph]

.... and when using a stacked dado always remember Norm's advice and always sacrifice a fence to the table saw.

Damn me but that's another of his famous sayings

Norm - "I've installed my sacrificial fence and will now do the tenon cuts."

 

[JFC]

Hopefully in the instructions that come with the dados as i dont have the RAS ones . I bought the saw second hand years ago .Where do i get the backing washer from ?

 

[martyn2]

what RAS have you got ? I got my washer/plate from a dewatt dealer cost £7.50. The dealer should know if you tell them whats it for. the only new dewalt 720 will take a dado blade the old elus do to, so I am told. PM me if you need any more help

martyn.

 

[JFC]

Ive got the Dewalt powershop DW1201 It looks like if i lose one cutter i can use the existing gaurd set up as the clearance is 21mm .

 

[martyn2]

Thats the same as mine but mines under the ELU badge and i have got full intructions part numbers etc I can send it to you and you can get it photocopied if you want . I will try and get you the part number for the backing/washer plate.

martyn

 

[JFC]

The part number would be very handy thanks , Not sure if i need the manual as i only use it for cross cutting . Ive spoken to people that have used its other features like the spindle moulder and rip saw and they showed me the marks in the wall where the timber finally ended up after it shot into orbit :shock: So i opted just to use it for cross cutting :lol: They only had the 5/8 bore set of cutters in stock so ill have to wait untill tomorrow before i can play :evil:
Did you have to change your whole gaurd assembly to take the dado cutters or will taking one cutter out work ? If i need a new assembly the manual might be handy . Thanks for the offer .

 

[martyn2]

I will try and find it for you tonight

Martyn

 

[JFC]

Just spoken to Dewalt and they have given me the part number 863123/00 if anyone else needs it . They also told me i need the 16mm bore of the fraud set as the dados fit in the shaft not the 30 mm hub which i guess is what the spacer is for .

 

[martyn2]

thats should do you then hope it gos ok. Rutlands had a special on dado blades last week it might be worth a visit to their web site

martyn

 

[JFC]

£99 at Rutlands , just picked up a set from Machine Mart for £76.32 . + £9.00 for the spacer from Dewalt . Now to try and work out how to set it up :lol:

 

[martyn2]

did they have 16mm at MM :?: . Any problems and i will send you the relevant part of the instructions.

martyn

 

[llangatwgnedd]

Martin, are you saying that the Freud 5/8 blades and chippers that MM sell wont fit the 16mm Dewalt?

 

[JFC]

They do fit , well on mine they do but the man who knows at dewalt said i may need to rebore the cutters if my spindle is at the top end of 16mm . luckily mine seems to be at the bottom end of 16mm . I didn't know 16mm had ends but looks like it does :lol:
Dewalt also sell stacked dados but they are twice the price of the fraud ones .