What Size Dado Blade For 10-Inch Table Saw | Complete Guide

The size of the dado blade you need for your 10-inch table saw depends on the width of the material you’re cutting and the depth of the cut you want to make. For example, if you’re cutting 1/2-inch-thick plywood, you’ll need a 3/4-inch-wide dado blade. If you’re cutting 2×4 lumber, you’ll need a 1-inch-wide dado blade.

This blog post will help you decide which size dado blade you need for the model of 10-inch table saw that you own. Stay tuned!

What Size Dado Blade For 10-Inch Table Saw

There are usually four sizes of dado sets, six-inch, eight-inch, ten-inch, and twelve-inch. Twelve-inch dado sets are less common since most people own ten-inch table saws. But having a ten-inch table saw doesn’t mean you need a ten-inch dado set.

The larger the diameter, the heavier it will be. It takes more power to spin the bigger diameter dado set, and heavier blades also generate more momentum.

10-inch

Even if your saw can fit a ten-inch dado set, that doesn’t mean your motor is strong enough to power it. Plus the momentum would be dangerous not having industrial settings. So woodworkers generally limit themselves to six-inch or eight-inch data sets.

6-inch

The lighter 6-inch sets are best suited to contractor saws and lower-powered cabinet saws. If your saw is less than three horsepower, then you should go with a six-inch set. If it’s greater than three, you may choose the eight-inch set instead.

8-inch

But the eight-inch dado sets are more expensive, so the question arises that if there is not that much benefit, why would anyone use them? Well, there’s an ongoing debate about whether a larger blade produces a better cut because the velocity of the teeth increases with the Blade’s diameter.

On the other hand, some people will argue that the increase in diameter also causes a decrease in the torque exerted or the force of the teeth hitting the wood. 

Difference

There is a little difference in cut quality between a six-inch data set and an eight-inch one. People still opt for the eight-inch dado set anyway, not because they cut three-inch deep dados, nobody does that. But because they sometimes want that extra inch in cutting depth compared to what they get with the six-inch dado set. (Learn about How to cut a dado with table saw)

But you may cut, for example, a lap joint in thick material with a table saw sled. That sled reduces the maximum cutting height by three-quarters of an inch because of the thickness of the sled base. Is that a big deal? Most of the time, not really. 

A six-inch data set may be raised a little less than an inch and a quarter above the table. So even with a three-quarter inch thick sled, you can cut almost halfway through a two-by-four.

And you could always use a half-inch thick sled if you need a little more cutting capacity. The point is, that an eight-inch set is nice to have in those situations where you might need extra capacity.

But you have to have the power to spin it and for most hobbyist woodworkers a six-inch set will work just fine. If you have a power saw and you can afford it, then get the eight-inch set but if you’re on a budget, then get the six-inch set and use the money you save to buy one of better quality. 

Tips For Buying Dado Blade For 10 Table Saw

Check the Arbor Size

When purchasing a stacked dado blade, make sure you buy a set with the correct size arbor hole. Blades with too big of an arbor hole won’t be balanced correctly when used on a saw. And blades with too small of an arbor hole may become damaged by the heat generated during drilling.

Check the Arbor Length

A table saw has an arbor that fits around the blade. A table saw arbor should always extend past the nut by a bit. This prevents the nut from coming off during use. You can use a dado blade up until a certain size, but you may need a bigger arbor if you want to make a larger cut. Always put a washer on the nut before using the tool. (Learn about How to Replace a Table Saw Arbor Bearings)

Dado Blade Sizes

The dado blade sizes that are usually available are 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch. The 6-inch and 8-inch sizes are the popular ones while the 10-inch and 12-inch dado blade sizes are less common. As most people own 10-inch table saws, the 8-inch dado blade size is the best fit for 10-inch table saws.

You might be interested in how to change the table saw blade without a wrench

Conclusion:

I hope this article was helpful in informing you of the different sizes of dado blades available, as well as what size would be best for your 10-inch table saw. If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or another member of our team. I’m always happy to help!

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