Popular Tools' 12-inch negative-hook dado set with 1" bore — the largest negative-hook stacked dado in the Popular Tools line, built for heavy industrial radial arm saws and production melamine operations. The 2° negative hook angle resists self-feeding on overhead pulldown machines and reduces tear-out on laminate and melamine bottom surfaces. 12" diameter gives maximum cut depth.
What's included
- 2 × 12" outside blades — 40 teeth each, matched right-hand and left-hand pair, 2° negative hook, 1" bore
- Multiple 8-tooth full-body chippers in 1/8" and 1/16" kerfs for a total stack width up to 13/16"
- Shim set
- Wooden storage case
Why Popular Tools chippers
Popular Tools chippers feature laser-cut bodies that remove nearly half the steel from the chipper plate. Reduced rotational mass means faster spin-up, less vibration on the arbor, easier startup, and quieter operation under load — without compromising carbide tip strength or chipper structural integrity. It's a small detail you'll feel every time the saw comes up to speed.
Specifications
- Diameter: 12"
- Outside teeth: 40
- Chipper teeth: 8 per chipper
- Hook angle: 2° negative
- Bore: 1"
- Maximum stack width: 13/16"
- SKU: DA1240N
Best for
- Heavy industrial radial arm saws with 1" arbor and 12" capacity
- Production melamine and laminate cutting where bottom-surface chipout is unacceptable
- Large-stock dado work where the 12" diameter gives needed cut depth
Not recommended for table saw use. For positive-hook 12" table saw applications, see the DA1240.
Other configurations
- Positive-hook version for industrial table saws: DA1240 (1" bore)
- 10" negative-hook version: DA1040N (1" bore)
- 8" negative-hook version: DA840N (5/8" bore)
Custom bore, pinhole, or keyway? Modified in-house.
Popular Tools operates a full machine shop with wire EDM, precision lathes, and mills. They can bore the center hole to a custom arbor size, add pinhole drive patterns, cut keyways, or split blades for specialized mounting.
- Ships in 1-3 business days from the Popular Tools machine shop
- Rush option: $30 per blade for priority handling
- Tight tolerances and minimal runout
Learn more → or call (855) 628-7297 for a quote.
Compatibility
- Industrial radial arm saws rated for 12" blades, or large SCMS with dado capacity
- 1" arbor with sufficient length for the full dado stack
- ⚠ NOT compatible with SawStop table saws.
Setup & safety
- Outside saws always mount on the outside of the stack, chippers between them
- Never run chippers without both outside saws installed
- Confirm rotation direction on every piece before tightening
- On radial arm saws, always pull the saw through the workpiece — never push
- Make a test cut in scrap to verify width before cutting workpieces
- Follow OSHA guidelines, wear eye protection, keep hands clear of rotating tools
Frequently asked questions
Why negative hook on a 12" set?
12" stacked dadoes are typically used on industrial radial arm saws or large overhead cutting machines, where a positive-hook blade would create dangerous self-feed. Negative hook is the correct geometry for these applications. It also reduces melamine chipout — a major production-quality issue on laminate work.
Will this work on a table saw?
Technically possible if your saw has the capacity, but not recommended — feed rate efficiency drops significantly. Use the DA1240 for table saw applications.
Will this work with my SawStop?
No. This dado set is not compatible with SawStop table saws.
Can the blades be re-sharpened?
Yes. Standard carbide-tip sharpening.
