55 REQ questions

[Worm Drive]

I just ordered my first Festool. One of the reasons I wanted the track saw was for strait lining hardwood lumber. I'm not sure which rip blade would be better, 12 or 14 tooth? Also, once the saw is adjusted to the track and the initial cut is made, can I switch between blades without affecting the cut strip. Thanks

 

[Stone Message]

The kerf should be the same with all the blades and so your accuracy will be maintained.

I use the Universal blade (496302) for all my ripping and it does a good job. Many people prefer the Panther blade (496301) which is just for ripping.

Peter

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

This recently was asked by another forum member. The 14-tooth blade is 2.5mm and all others are 2.2mm in the US and Canada.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/kerf-width-of-ts55req-festool-blades/msg288373/#msg288373

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new saw.

Shane

 

[Brice Burrell]

Welcome and congrats on your first Festool tool.  The older stock blades do have different thickness kerfs so be sure not to get "old new stock" from the dealer you buy from.  The good news is all of Festool's blades now have the same kerf so you won't have any problems changing blades and keeping the cut strip intact.  All of the blades except the rip blade have the same kerf.  

Unless you're cutting thicker hardwood regularly I'd suggest you try the 28 tooth universal saw blade (part # 496304) instead of the rip blade.  The rip blade cuts great but leaves a rougher finish.  As far as I know there is only one rip blade now with the uniform kerf.  Talking to a good dealer like one of the guys that regularly participates here will help make sure you get the right stuff.

 

[Stone Message]

That is interesting Shane. I did not know that there was a 14 tooth blade. In the UK (and I assume Europe) we have Fine, Universal and Panther (all 2.2mm kerf) for wood and then two specials, one for aluminium and one for laminate board.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Welcome and congrats on your first Festool tool.  The older stock blades do have different thickness kerfs so be sure not to get "old new stock" from the dealer you buy from.  The good news is all of Festool's blades now have the same kerf so you won't have any problems changing blades and keeping the cut strip intact.  Buying from a knowledgeable dealer or searching the info in Shane's link will make sure you get the newer blade(s).  

Unless you're cutting thicker hardwood regularly I'd suggest you try the 28 tooth universal saw blade (part # 496304) instead of the rip blade.  The rip blade cuts great but leaves a rougher finish.  As far as I know there is only one rip blade now with the uniform kerf.  Again, talking to a good dealer like one of the guys that regularly participates here will help make sure you get the right stuff.

Brice's point explains why I use the Universal blade for ripping - the finish can be ready to sand clean if you do it carefully in one clean go.

Interesting that the UK part number for the Universal blade is different from the one quoted by Brice - perhaps it is of very special quality for the NA market!

Peter

 

[semenza]

Welcome to the forum, Worm Drive  [smile]

And ..............  for ripping "soft" hardwoods such as poplar you can get away with using the Fine blade. Though it is not designed for ripping and will dull a bit quicker, and cut slower,  you will get cuts smooth enough for panel glue ups. Also useful when making jointing cuts for glue ups. I wouldn't recommend it for general straight lining and ripping though. Just those special cuts in wood that is not too dense.

Seth

 

[Jaybolishes]

I'm sure it's for a reason, but I can't understand why a panther blade can't be made in the same kerf.  If there's one blade that isn't the same kerf as the rest, that particular blade is basically useless to me.  I don't want to keep replacing my splinter guard on my rails every time I want a ripping blade.  I hope they make a panther  that is the same kerf so it would be worth using.  Which ripping blade with the same kerf are you referring to Brice? Thanks

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm sure it's for a reason, but I can't understand why a panther blade can't be made in the same kerf.  If there's one blade that isn't the same kerf as the rest, that particular blade is basically useless to me.  I don't want to keep replacing my splinter guard on my rails every time I want a ripping blade.  I hope they make a panther  that is the same kerf so it would be worth using.  Which ripping blade with the same kerf are you referring to Brice? Thanks

You know I'm confusing the Festool and Tenryu rip blades.  I'll go back and edit my earlier post.

 

[Stone Message]

Surely the Panther blade in NA is the same as the European one?

The kerf of all the blades on the Festool UK site is the same at 2.2mm.

Peter

 

[jonny round boy]

Surely the Panther blade in NA is the same as the European one?

The kerf of all the blades on the Festool UK site is the same at 2.2mm.

Peter

The new, 12-tooth panther blade is the same. The 'old' 14 tooth panther blade, which is no longer available in Europe, is still available in the US for some strange reason.

 

[Jaybolishes]

I found it, 12 tooth 2.2 kerf. All is good. 496305.  Lots of old stuff on the net, can be confusing.

 

[Worm Drive]

Thanks for the help. I found a 12 tooth, 2.2mm blade on amazon. I decided to go with the 12 tooth, instead of the universal because I'm not too concerned about the cut quality as much as speed.

On another note, I received my saw and 55" track today. They were ordered yesterday afternoon! Way to go Amazon. I did a couple cuts, just for fun, WOW. Even smoother then I can get on my Powermatic 66 with a descent blade. Only issue that I noticed was, plunging into the board at the start of the cut left a slight kerf mark. These cuts were without clamps, impressive! Can't wait to get my 106" rail, clamps and accessories, so I can put this thing
through it's paces.

 

[peter halle]

Glad to see you got your new best tool purchase so quickly.  In the perfect world you will be able to plunge fully before entering the workpiece and that entry cut will be smoother.  Have fun!

Peter

 

[Worm Drive]

Peter, I just read about plunging before entering the cut, in the supplemental track saw manual, on Festools website.

 

[joiner1970]

That is interesting Shane. I did not know that there was a 14 tooth blade. In the UK (and I assume Europe) we have Fine, Universal and Panther (all 2.2mm kerf) for wood and then two specials, one for aluminium and one for laminate board.

Peter

We used to have the thicker 2.5 mm blades here in the UK too until Festool standardised them