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jekid67 · Feb 25, 2010, 07:55 PM

My 8", carbide-tipped, adjustable dado began chewing up the wood at the beginning of the cut. The action was quite violent, in fact, broke the tip of the blade guard finally. I've had the dado (Craftsman Excalibur) for a number of years (5+, infrequent use). I cleaned the blade but did not attempt to sharpen it (I've never had it sharpened though may try sharpening it myself after reading an article before initiating this query).

Anyway, after cleaning, same action - damaged wood. I assume the blade is dull. I could not see no obvious damage. I tried an older, single blade, adjustable dada with the same result - deep gouging at the beginning of the cut, a slapping, violent action.

Incidentally, I was dadoing 1"x2" poplar.

Suggestions, observations appreciated. I'm no skilled craftsman but have produced acceptable work.

Thanks,

jekid67

hkstroud · Feb 25, 2010, 08:04 PM

I probably have the same dado blade,older than yours. Never had it sharpened because it has to be taken apart to sharpen. Still cuts pretty good.

How wide and how deep is the dado you are attempting to cut?

A dull blade should cause the wood to burn and make pushing the wood through the saw difficult.

What you describe, don't take offense, sounds like you have the blade in backwards.

jekid67 · Feb 26, 2010, 01:28 PM

No offense taken. However, blade is in correctly. I ran a piece of pine through once without difficulty and had previously dadoed a number of pieces. Thanks.

jekid67 · Feb 26, 2010, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by jekid67

No offense taken. However, blade is in correctly. I ran a piece of pine through once without difficulty and had previously dadoed a number of pieces. Thanks.

Dado was set for 1/2" wide dado with depth at 1/4"

KBC · Feb 26, 2010, 03:10 PM

Wetness of the poplar?Verses the pine?

Side,end,crossgrain cutting?

jekid67 · Feb 26, 2010, 06:45 PM

I was cutting a dado with the grain, so ripping. Reading directions on radial saw suggested push stick pressure should be between the blade and fence. I was pushing from the opposite side. So..
The poplar could possibly be wetter than the softer pine but I don't think it is that wet. No sig residue on the cutting surfaces.
Blade may be older than I first thought but again the surfaces look good, no obvious damage.

Thanks for the input. I'll keep probing. Going to a router or table saw in the meantime.