Delta Stacked Dado Set Review

Delta 8″ Stacked Dado Set Model #35-7670

Anyone that wants to build cabinetry or fun DIY projects should own a dado set for their table saw or radial alarm saw. Over the years I’ve used a few dado sets with mixed results. Recently the folks at Delta sent me their 8″ Stacked Dado Set (Model #35-7670) to evaluate. The following is my review of the product and some information about where you can buy one as well.

Product Specifications

• Micro-grain carbide teeth
• Two 24-tooth Carbide Tipped Saw Blades
  
• Six 4-tooth chippers, four = 1/8″, one = 3/32″ and one = 1/16″
  
• Stainless steel shims allow for ultra-fine width adjustments, four = 0.005″, four = 0.010″ and four = o.020″
  
• Heavy-duty storage case protects blades against chipped teeth and damage
• Size: 8″
• Tooth Type: ATB
• Hook Angle: 0 °
• Arbor Diameter: 5/8 “
• Capacity: 1/8″ – 13/16 “

Product Evaluation

I own a Delta 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw that I used for my evaluation of the Stacked Dado Set. If you purchase a dado set for the first time you’ll also need to get a dado insert for your table saw so keep that in mind. The dado insert replaces the normal insert and allows for the wider blades of the full dado set. Before installing any new saw blade be sure you disconnect the saw from a power source and read the owner’s manual carefully.

Installation

Installing a dado set on your table saw is fairly straight forward. I recommend you read How To Set Up Stacked Dados for more detailed information on specifics of setting up dado’s and calibrating them. Installation was very easy for me and only took about 10 minutes to set up. Installing the dado set is similar to installing a new saw blade. The dado blades and chippers fit tightly over the threads of the arbor so be patient and take care not to damage the arbor.

Overall the installation was very easy. The directions were just ok but this is fairly typical of all product instructions these days.

Quality

I’ve been a huge fan of Delta tools for years now and my table saw has been one of my best tool purchases. Once again Delta has impressed me with the quality of this product from the rugged carrying case to the tight tolerance of the bores on the blades that fit the arbor so well. I really can’t find any problems with quality, if I had to pick one thing it would be the plastic bolt and wing nuts in the carrying case that holds the blades in place. Having said that I really was impressed with this Dado Set.

All of the blades, chippers and shims come with laser etched (I think) markings identifying the size. The instruction manual also comes with a nice table showing what combinations to use for size dados.

Performance

I ran several different width dados in materials ranging from hard Brazilian Cherry to Southern Yellow Pine and finally plywood. Each of the dados that I cut had smooth bottoms and precise widths. I’m very impressed considering my table saw has years of use and is certainly not as tight as it once was.

This 8″ stacked dado set worked great on my Delta 10″ Contractor style saw. Some table saws have trouble with dado sets if they are under powered. I didn’t experience that at all with this particular dado set / table saw combination. So if you’re looking for a dado set to use on a Delta 10″ Contractor saw then I definitely recommend this dado set.

Overall Impressions

Overall I really liked the Delta 8″ Stacked Dado Set and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a dado set. I love that this dado set comes with a great case for storing the blades.  The set cuts clean, straight, smooth dados that can be adjusted to within 0.005 inches which is very accurate in my opinion. If you’re looking for a stacked dado set then I recommend this one.