Skil Dado Set

As a seasoned woodworker, I’ve had the opportunity to test numerous dado sets over the years. Today, I’m sharing my experience with the Skil 79600 Dado Set. This set is designed to cut various joints, including rabbets, splines, lap joints, and dadoes. Given its affordable price point and promising features, I was keen to see how it would perform in a real workshop setting.

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

The Skil 79600 Dado Set includes six blades, enabling you to create grooves of different widths. Right out of the box, the blades felt sturdy and well-crafted. The blades sport durable carbide teeth, promising an extended cutting life. The anti-stick coating on each blade is a thoughtful addition, intended to reduce friction and heat during use, which is essential for maintaining the sharpness and longevity of the blades.

Setting Up

Setting up the dado set was straightforward. The 5/8-inch arbor size made it compatible with my table saw, and the blades fit snugly without any wobble. The thin kerf design stood out as a feature aimed at easier and faster cutting, which I was eager to test.

Performance and Cut Quality

Once set up, I began with a few test cuts on a variety of wood types, including pine, oak, and plywood. The blades sliced through pine effortlessly, creating clean and precise grooves. However, when I moved on to harder woods like oak, the quality of the cuts was noticeably different. While not terrible, the cuts lacked the smoothness and precision I had hoped for. There were minor tear-outs, which could be a concern for projects requiring a high degree of finish quality.

The dado set’s performance on plywood was somewhere in between. The cuts were decent, but there was some minor chipping along the edges. It’s worth noting that tear-out and chipping can often be mitigated with slower feed rates and proper support of the workpiece, but in this case, the results were mixed despite taking these precautions.

Versatility and Usability

One of the standout features of the Skil 79600 Dado Set is its versatility. With six blades included, it’s easy to adjust the width of the grooves to suit different joinery needs. This flexibility is particularly useful for projects that require a variety of joint types. The thin kerf design does indeed make the cutting process smoother and faster, reducing the load on the saw motor.

However, the absence of anti-kickback shoulders and expansion slots is a drawback. These features are often included in higher-end dado sets to enhance safety and reduce vibration, respectively. While I didn’t experience any significant issues with kickback or excessive vibration during my tests, the lack of these safety features is something to consider, especially for beginners.

Durability and Maintenance

The carbide teeth on the blades are designed for extended cutting life, and during my testing period, they maintained their sharpness fairly well. The anti-stick coating did its job effectively, preventing resin buildup and making the blades easier to clean after use. However, given the moderate cut finish, I would recommend periodic sharpening to maintain optimal performance, especially if you’re working with hardwoods frequently.

Final Thoughts

The Skil 79600 Dado Set offers a mix of pros and cons. On the plus side, it’s reasonably priced and versatile, making it a good option for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts who need a reliable set for occasional use. The blades are easy to set up, and the thin kerf design does help with faster cuts and reduced motor strain.

However, the cut quality on harder woods and plywood leaves room for improvement. The absence of anti-kickback shoulders and expansion slots is also a downside, particularly from a safety perspective. While the set performs well for basic tasks and softer woods, it may not be the best choice for professional woodworkers or those who require a high degree of finish quality.

Recommendation

Would I recommend the Skil 79600 Dado Set? For hobbyists and occasional users, yes. Its affordability, ease of use, and versatility make it a practical addition to a home workshop. However, if you’re a professional or someone who frequently works with hardwoods and requires impeccable cut quality, you might want to consider investing in a higher-end dado set with more advanced features. The Skil 79600 is a good entry-level option, but it has its limitations that more experienced woodworkers will notice.