 [Larger view] | Freud SD508 8" Super Dado Set with Anti-Kickback Design
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Average user rating:  | |
 Freud is top shelf in my book | |
| Excellent tool with superb craftsmanship. Freud is top quality in my book. | |
 I recommend paying extra for better | |
| I used to do all of my ratteting and dado cutting with various size straight/rabbet router bits and a homemade jig/guide fence system. I figured I'd bite the bullet and buy a dado blade. After doing some research and getting over the sticker shock of the average $200-$250 price range for most dado sets, I figured that I go for the SD208 for only $90. I figured that since it is from Freud, it can't be all that bad, no matter how much cheaper it is than the other models. Overall, I think the SD208 is a good buy COMPARED to all of the other dado sets and their prices of 2-3 times more than the SD208. More specifically, here are my thoughts:
POSITIVE: 1) The storage/carrying case is great. Durable plastic with an arbor-like post to mount the blades on. 2) Price. As I said, this blade is a comparatively good deal compared to other sets in the $200-$250 price range. 3) Shims are included. From what I've been told, some sets don't include shims. I can't verify that, but this set does indeed include shims. I believe there are 5-7 differenly sized shims. NEGATIVES 1) My biggest gripe with this set is that the bottom of the cuts are far from being flat. Whether using the outerblades by themselves, or using them with different configurations of chippers, each cut bottom has multiple ridges/blade marks. 2) Shims aren't size labeled. Freud gives a great little chart showing what size chippers and shims are needed for different cuts. However, the shims aren't labeled at all. They are merely blank circular cuts of metal. However, as any woodworker knows, you should always run your own test cuts for any job...so I'm in no way livid with Freud. It would just be a little nicety if they could label the shims. As I said, I think the SD208 set is comparatively a great blade for its price, when viewd against other sets. However, I would recommend not skimping on price and upgraded to one of the higher-end Freuds or a Forrest set. | |
| Try to get it sharpened | |
| I run a small woodworking shop and I purchased the Dial-A-Width Dado. I think it is a great dado, but it has a -12 degree grind on it. Every sharpening shop in Denver cannot sharpen it without buying an expensive computer program for their machines and they will not buy it unless they can make enough off the sharpening to pay for it. I called Freud about having them sharpen it and they said they are not in the sharpening business. Buyer beware. |
