Vintage Craftsman Table Saw - DADO BLADE?

[Chaznsc]

I have a Cman table saw from maybe the 60's. I love the dial fence so I am torn between getting something modern and not having dado capability. Has anyone added a dado to one of these? My saw has a 7.25-inch blade and most saws use 10 I think.

 

[4Kings]

Shouldn't be a problem. Dado blade sets come in 6" and 8". As long as you have enough spindle length. You'll have to make a new throat plate though.

 

[exmaxima1]

That looks like the same 8-inch saw that I used for 30 years. Even has both cast iron extensions, which is pretty rare. I had no problem using 6-inch dado blades, both stacked or wobble types. Of course, you will need to change the throat insert, and I recommend making a new one from wood.

Nice saw, brings back memories

PS, that fence *****---get a Biesemeyer and that saw becomes a precision machine.

 

[Zeke]

I'm not understanding the issue. What does the fence have to do with dado capability?

Nothing. He was just remarking how he likes the micro adjustment on the fence.

 

[Chaznsc]

PS, that fence *****---get a Biesemeyer and that saw becomes a precision machine.

I actually like the fence. And I've only got $40 in the whole saw.

 

[southalabama]

Just make a new insert out of thin ply or laminate.

 

[skruft]

My first saw was very much like that. I found that an 8" dado worked fine and Sears made an insert for it. As someone else said, 6" are also made.

If it vibrates at all, get a linked belt and it will run very smoothly, like a much fancier saw.

 

[exmaxima1]

I actually like the fence. And I've only got $40 in the whole saw.

You won't like it when it shifts while ripping a heavy sheet of wood. Or when the cut keeps drifting because the fence wasn't square. Or when it warps and has a bow in it (I have no idea how that would happen). I had to check it every time with a carpenter square, and put a C-clamp on the back end. Very time consuming when I needed to make numerous setups. When I added a modern fence, my work improved and I saved many hours. And later I dumped the whole thing for a Unisaw and never looked back

 

[Cruzan80]

Never had mine shift on me during a cut. The front/back do need to line up, but a bit of oil on the back means my gear-shifting keeps it almost parallel. Only need to really double-check when hand setting it.

And I do have a dado insert (factory) for mine. Never had an issue running a dado (mine is an excalibur wobble set).