help: Using a stacked dado on the TS2400ls

[Jeffdanz]

Hello,

I just purchased a Rigid TS2400LS. I also bought an 8" stacked dado set. The instructions on the dado set say that portable saws dont have a long enough arbor or enough power to use the set. What I notice on the arbor is that if I take off the nut holding on the regular 10" blade, there is a large "washer" (don't know the technical name) that is between the nut and the blade. I take off the washer, remove the blade, and there is another "washer" that can be removed. If I put the dado set on the arbor without the "washers", and just use the nut, there seems to be enough room. I made some test cuts in plywood using a dado width of 3/4 and the saw seems to have plenty of power.

Am I doing somthing dangerous by using this set? and by not using the "washers" on either side of the blade? or is the arbor just too short for a stacked set (max 13/16 width) and so what i am doing is not safe. (I made my own throat plate insert that leaves zero clearance around the dado blade when in use). Thanks for the help.

If this is not a safe operation, then how can you use a stacke dado set on the TS2400ls?

Jeff

[jbergstrom]

Hi Jeffdanz, congratulations on the TS2400LS purchase:)

You can download the guide for your saw here (http://www.ridgid.com/ASSETS/3E9885A5BC8E4188B5038288C849D345/TS2400_Man.pdf)

If you look on page 51 it states ->

The dado head is assembled to the saw
arbor in the same manner as the saw
blade. The arbor on the saw, is long
enough so that the widest cut that can be
made is 13/16" wide. It is not necessary to
install the outside loose collar before
screwing on the arbor nut. Make sure the
arbor nut is tight.
When cutting a “deep” dado or a wide
groove it is necessary to remove only a
small amount of material (1/8"-1/4") at a
time. Continue to increase dado elevation
until the desired depth is reached.

The answer is that you need the inner washer but not the outer one.

I've never tried my stacked dado without the inner washer because I never thought it would provide enough clearance without it:eek:

Obviously you have and it does:confused: but I would rather be safe then sorry and you should probably follow the instructions and use it. You may have to make another zero clearance insert but that's no big deal right?:D

Good Luck

[Davet]

13/16" is wider than 3/4" ...Aint?
Looks to me the The instructions on the dado set saying that "portable saws dont have a long enough arbor or enough power to use the set" where generalizing.

[Jeffdanz]

After looking at my saw again, I realized that I made a mistake in my original post... I did leave the inside washer on, didn't use the outside one. Guess that is okay according to the instructions. Thanks for the feedback. Looks like it will work.