Freud SD508 Super Dado 8-Inch Stack Dado

I am in the process of removing the contractor installed shelving in my wife's laundry room, and I am replacing them with a whole bunch of base cabinets and wall cabinets that I am building. These cabinets will occupy the entire length of two adjacent walls.

The cabinet boxes are built out of 3 / 4 inch Oak laminate plywood. The cabinet side panels and back panels all have a 3 / 4 inch wide and 3 / 8 inch deep dado to receive the cabinet bottom and a 3 / 4 inch wide and 3 / 8 inch deep rabbit to receive the cabinet back.

I made the dados and the rabbits with a brand new, right out of the box Freud SD508 Super Dado Set. The resulting cuts were spectacular. I was more than pleased. As a matter of fact I was really excited to see the beautiful cuts this dado set made.

The cuts were clean. There was no chipping of the laminate, no tear out, and as near as I can tell, the bottom of the dado was perfectly flat. The dado set cut through the plywood with ease. I didn't have to apply any more force to the piece then I would have if I were doing a simple rip using a single blade.

These stellar results were repeated time after time on all the cabinet back panels and side panels. I realize that this dado set was right out of the box and therefore the blades and chippers were probably the sharpest they will ever be, but if the exceptional results I got on this project is any predictor of how this dado set will perform over time then I know that I made a very good purchase and the money was well spent.

I purchased the blade based on numerous reviews in magazines and on on-line forums. However, it does leave scoring marks on the outside right blade. Other than that a 5-STAR purchase. Also the price was great too!

I purchased this set to replace a Freud dial dado set that would not fit my saw. I used it this weekend on a run of really hard rosewood. No chipout, no tearing, and smooth, flat bottoms. Measurements are right on. Doesn't get any better than that.

My only complaint about this set is the packaging. Freud needs to come up with something more robust than a soft plastic box with a paperweight, blow-molded interior. The interior arrived damaged from the blades.

The plastic package was damaged in transit; not surprising given the weight of the blades and the sharpness of the teeth. I cut multiple 3/8 x 1 1/2 dadoes in maple end grain. flawless and effortless. it deserves the highest marks (although Amazon gets a "D-" for packing).

So far the cleanest cutting dado I have used. I regret wasting money on the wobble or the El cheapo imports.

Although I have not used the Forrest dado, for the money you really can't beat it. The best $160 I've spent this year.

I believe I got the "blinged" out version, it says ICE coating on the outside and looks to be chrome dipped. Did not come studded with diamonds though.