Best TS55 blade for plywood?

[thender]

Well, a funny thing happened to me this afternoon....  I went into the new Woodcraft here in Ventura, CA to buy a CT22, and walked out with a TS55 too.  So much for willpower.

Now the dumbo questions....

The TS55 comes with the 48t "fine" blade.  Is this the best choice for plywood?  I'm primarily interested in reduced chipout, smoothness of the cut in ply is secondary.  I know the design of the tool is intended to limit chipout, but is one blade any better/worse than any other?

What about MDF?  Any reason to use a different blade there?

Thanks in advance. 

-Tom H.
Ventura, CA

 

[paul_david_thomas]

Tom,

The 48t will be just great on the ply and MDF. Not sure if it's the BEST, but i will be really surprised if you see ANY chipout. On the saw, you can get an additional splinter guard that fits ONTO the TS55, it's green. That will save the other side of the sheet material too.

48t on MDF will work fine too - but will dull quicker than in PLY.

Paul.

 

[thender]

Thanks Paul.

At The Woodworking Show last Spring, I *thought* the fellow doing the Festool demo had suggested the aluminum-cutting blade as the best for ply.  But that doesn't seem to be widespread wisdom.  And it is also possible that I misheard him, or misunderstood him, too.

Thanks again.

-TH

 

[Brice Burrell]

Thanks Paul.

At The Woodworking Show last Spring, I *thought* the fellow doing the Festool demo had suggested the aluminum-cutting blade as the best for ply.  But that doesn't seem to be widespread wisdom.  And it is also possible that I misheard him, or misunderstood him, too.

Thanks again.

-TH

I've never tried the aluminum for the TS55 so I can't compare but the 48 fine tooth blade works very well. If there is a difference it can't be much because the fine blade works great.

 

[paul_david_thomas]

Well, my experience - by accident with Alu blades and wood, are, well, it works ish, but blunts pretty quick. I only noticed when the cut (at like 45 degs) was taking ages and not going too well... I look... Oops I had left the Alu blade in... I then replaced the blades and all went well...

 

[ScooterX]

I use the "fine" blade for plywood ( I use a lot of MDO and euro birchply for work). I bought the "regular" blade for cutting lumber, mostly just to save wear and tear on the "fine" blade. I have the aluminum blade for that and for cutting hard plastics (acrylic).

 

[martingchapman]

Follow this link to the Festool UK web site for a very good report (the pdf) on Festool (and Frued) blades;
Festool.co.uk

Surprisingly some of the Frued blades come out better than the equivalent Festool ones.

Martin.

 

[Tinker]

I have the negative pitch blade I use for MDF.
Tinker