Tablesaw / Daedo Set Question

PDD

Hi Folks,

I was wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to have multiple Dado sets on a table saw and if that would be relatively standard or would it be a very highly specialised piece of machinery?

I willl be creating a set of about 2 dozen drawers and cabinets for a friends PC repair workshop. Cutting each wedge/finger using a single dado would take absolultely ages so I was thinking can I use multiple dado sets so Im cutting 2/3 fingers with each pass.

A bit of research online shows up alot of DIY/BIY projects for tablesaw jigs which allow you to clamp a set of boards together and move them over to the next finger using a cog of some kind. As these are all DIY would I be correct in assuming that buying a product that does the same is prohibatively expensive?

I've very little knowledge of carpentry/woodwork so any and all feedback welcome.

Dave

Carlow52

Dado blades are generally accepted now as being very dangerous pieces of kit.


In any event the bench saw will not take more than one

I will PM u a forum where u can find out more about the jigs u describe

JCJCJC

I've just successfully rebuilt an old Dewalt radial arm saw that had a hard life outdoors in the West of Ireland, and I'm very tempted to try an American dado cutter set on it, as regularly seen on Norm Abrams etc. Any advice or comment welcome. Why is a dado blade thought to be more dangerous than a circular saw blade, skil saw, chainsaw, chop saw or any other such tool? Is there any reference available to an Irish or EU law or regulation that specifically says dados are illegal?

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but since dado blades are under discussion I hope the OP won't mind.

JC

Double Barrel

JC
No rules that I am aware of for the end user. Except to use common sense of course. Manufactures & Importers on the other hand have a set of standards, guidelines and solicitor advised boilerplate hoops to jump through.
A dado head should only be fitted to a saw designed to accept one and is used correctly and within its capabilities.
The DeWalt has substantial arbor length to accept a dado set. Radial arm saws are not without their dangers, however, using a dado head on them is arguably safer than using a dado head on a table saw. Firstly your right hand is always on the handle controlling the cut. The left hand is positioned away from the blade to the left of the cutter and the dynamics of the cut when used correctly doing a pull cut mean that the workpiece is automatically pushed back towards the rear fence and downwards.
Most EU bench saws ( ?? 2000 to date) have a short arbor and a variety of safety features which are not suitable for a dado application. The EU regulations came about because of a change in the German regs. in the early 1990s, before that relatively few woodworking machines were fitted with automatic braking except some industrial applications.
It is not illegal to sell dado cutter sets.
It is not illegal to use dado cutter sets.
But it is illegal (in most cases) for a company to import a bench saw with an arbour length long enough to receive a dado set. The EU requirement that a blade come to a complete stop in "10 seconds" on power down, usually means that the machine is equipped with a braking mechanism. Brakes and dados heads do not work well together.
In the past most accidents happened after power down when the head/blade was spinning free and almost silently.

Carlow52

I don't know whether I subscribe to the 'safer' notion here with the dado on a radial saw.

yes the work piece will be pushed away from the person using the saw but if there is any side to side movement in the radial saw or the workpiece and it sticks, the kickback of the saw could do serious damage.

In industrial settings the dado is completely encased and the material is power-fed through

As DB has pointed out the 'Silent Running' was an issue, also the tendency to remove guards etc to accommodate the dado blades

Double Barrel

As Carlow said the tendency to remove guards and safety devices is to be taken seriously. Just because "Norm does it" is not what you want to tell yourself in the ER.
Use "extreme caution" at all times when operating power tools.
If you think or feel it is not safe ..... it more than likely is not.

Work safe.

JCJCJC

Thanks for the useful and well-informed info. I think I'll get used to my radial-arm in its normal configuration for a little while before I attempt any potentially risky mods. I found this regulation from 1972 on irishstatutebook.ie and it says:

(2) A circular sawing machine shall not be used for cutting any
rebate, tenon, mould or groove, unless that part of the saw blade or
other cutter which is above the machine table is effectively guarded.

That could be interpreted to rule out dado cutters perhaps, and I'm wondering if that date in 1972 isn't significantly close to Ireland's EEC membership in 1971. However, the regs refer to the 1955 factories Act, not a EEC/EC/EU directive.

The Dewalt does indeed have a long threaded arbor, and it takes a 10" blade with a 5/8" hole.

Thanks again

jc

Hootanany

I put one on my Sheppach TC9 terrible vibration its lying in the corner now a Router is just as good