Blade for ATF 55 E?

[onocoffee]

I've been playing around more with that ATF 55 E I picked up a few weeks ago. Today, tried using it to rip cut a length of 4/4 hard maple. Was able to cut it about four inches and it's slow and burning and having a very difficult time of it. Stopped the cut and switched to the TS 55 FEQ - ripped it like butter with the stock blade.

When I got the ATF 55, I took the blade out and cleaned it well with green cleaner, so it looks good. However, it cuts poorly, so I'm thinking the blade is dull. If I were to get a new blade, which is the correct blade? I'm presuming that the 2.2mm kerf blades for the TS 55 E/R will work? Or, just thinking about it now, should I send the blade out to get sharpened?

Thanks!

 

[Cheese]

Why not just swap the blades out between saws and see if the cutting issues follow the saw blades, then you'll know for sure.

The 12/14 & 48 tooth blades for the ATF 55 were originally 2.5 mm kerf blades but I'm sure the riving knife will accommodate 2.2 mm kerf blades as the original ATF 55 blades had kerfs that ranged from 2.2 to 2.6 mm.

 

[onocoffee]

@Cheese - Good idea. But I have the F with the 1.8mm kerf - I'm thinking that might be too narrow for the riving knife on the ATF?

 

[Cheese]

If that's the issue, I'd just remove the riving knife and run the test. By your own admission, you only needed to rip the board 4" before you saw the results you didn't like. A 4" long cut is not long enough for a board to start to close in upon itself if there are riving knife width issues.

Thinking about your situation a bit longer...you really don't need to swap out both blades if that's impossible. Just swapping out one of the blades and achieving better or poorer results would certainly give you a direction to follow.

 

[onocoffee]

@Cheese - Took your advice and dropped the F blade into the ATF 55 and it cuts clean like butter. Gonna have the blade sent out today. Though I am tempted to take the plate off the F and see if its riving knife will fit in the ATF!

Thanks!

 

[Cheese]

That's good to hear...

I'd consider just removing the extra material from the ATF riving knife. That way the saw blades you purchase will fit both saws. One could be set up as a ripping saw and the other for general purpose use. The difference between 1.8 mm & 2.2 mm is only .016" or 1/64"...so not much material needs to be removed.

 

[onocoffee]

@Cheese Good points. My only concern with the ATF is how to connect the D27 hose from the CT MIDI I?

It will kinda fit into the port but there's nothing to keep it in there unless I hold it.