Can CS 70 Cut MFC clean on both sides??

[bloorino]

Hi There,

I am in the process of setting up a small workshop and am looking for a saw to cut smaller pieces of MFC to make doors. I know that there are splinter guards available for the CS 70, does this give a clean cut on both sides??

I already own alot of festool stuff TS 55, OF 2200, Domino, Rotex Kapex etc, and i am going to use the TS 55 to rip down the panels to more manageable pieces.

Or what is peoples opinions on cutting the panels say 2mm over size with the TS and then using the OF 2200 in a table to trim.

All advice greatly recieved. 

 

[BobKovacs]

Why wouldn't you just cut the panels to final size with the TS55 and avoid the extra step?

 

[AlexThePalex]

The CS70 will do that quite nicely, without the need to use a splinterguard as long as you use a very sharp blade. With Festool's special laminate blade you'll get the best results.

But like Bob said, the TS55 should be able to do this too.

 

[windmill man]

Hi Bloorino

The CS50 will also do it with ease but a lot of the finished cut quality will be influenced by the quality of the MFC and the texture of the surface .

John

[welcome] To The FOG

 

[greg mann]

Specifically, there is a sacrificial plastic insert you can place in the CS70 to avoid splintering, both sides. I think that is the OP's concern, i.e., does the saw have provision for a more positive way to avoid splintering besides a sharp blade. The answer is yes.

 

[bloorino]

So do you think that if i make my own large mft table capable of cutting say 1m by 2.5m it will be possible to make repetitive splinter free cuts on both sides??  I have read about people making there own mft but does anyone here have any ideas on making one? is it possible to have 2 guide rails mounted to the bench, one for cutting across the panel and one for cutting the length. I already have a 1.4m guide rail so i suppose i would also need a 3m one to cut the length.

So if i get the right set up i shouldn't need a table/panel saw,would everyone agree with that?

I want what will do the job best, i know ideally a panel saw with scoring blade is the best but i haven't got the space for one. 

 

[norwegian wood]

i do not agree. there will be times and materials that will cause you to want to pull your hair out trying to get splinter free cuts. nothing but a saw with a panel saw with a scoring blade will guarantee those results all the time.

 

[bloorino]

I know what you are saying about the panel saw but surely if you set the TS 55 to say 2mm and cut a scribe on the Mfc then take a second pass isn't this doing the same as a panel saw??

 

[norwegian wood]

not on the bottom of the sheet.  it all comes down to if you are gonna be prepared to find some splinter or chip out in the middle of your run from time to time. and how much money or space you have and how much panel sizing you do and wether you do it as a hobby or profession. on some materials the plastic chip guard and rubber strip do not fully protect against chip out. you will get some and they will start at a point where it is a major inconvenience. and when they do you may have wasted a sheet of material.

does festool make a hollow ground blade? if they don't they should. i have found those blades produce the best cut in lets say melamine for example if you do not have a saw with a scoring blade.

the mafell saw also has a track saw with a scoring feature on their saw that is nice if you are forced to go that route. i would look into the mafell 55 i think it is.

 

[windmill man]

Have a look at the new Maffell Plunge saw!
For cutting MFC its better than the 55 or 75.
For the best results a dim saw with scorer is the best way the maffell is next.
I use a lot of MFC ( and I mean a lot, 25>30k per year)I get it cut to component size then fit using Festool tools. No waste no moving jumbos about, saves time, bang on dimentioned components, No investment in machenary or space in the workshop.
John

 

[bloorino]

I have just looked a the mafell with scoring facility and i can't see how it differs from setting the festool to just scribing the top surface. The Mafell only scores top surface, only difference is the mafell is automated.

Like i said before i'm not going to cutting lots and lots of MFC but using the new uni decors from egger i'am hoping to make my own cabinet doors.

So is another option to cut to rough size then use a router to gain splinter free edge.

If there is no other way of doing it i will have to seriously consider how to make a panel saw fit in my workshop.

 

[tiralie]

A panel saw is the penultimate solution, (pressure beam saws the ultimate) but if you are only making a few pieces and don't see yourself using it there are other solutions. A panel saw vertical or horizontal takes up a lot of space and over time space costs more than the saw.
I cut melamine regularly (not as much as others here) and I find that if you use good quality MFC (Melamine Faced Chipboard) you should be able to get a clean cut using the TS 55 with a blade designed to cut melamine. I have not found scoring with the TS55 to improve chip out any more than straight plung cutting but that's me. There have been many constructive discussions here about the best way to do this here on the FOG.
That said if I am cutting pieces that have to be perfect, and without any chips, say for drawer fronts etc. I can get flawless cuts on my table saw using a Freud Double sided melamine cutting blade.
To my mind, cleaning up a cut with a router, is an additional step in the process, increasing handling and chipping and to my mind creates more problems than it's worth and is just inefficient.
It is advisable to break down your sheets of MFC to a manageable size before you cut to final size as the tensions in Melamine boards screw up squareness of the first cuts.
Tim

 

[norwegian wood]

even better then TCG is
http://www.amanatool.com/circular-saw-blades/hollow-ground-hg220t420.html

 

[tiralie]

even better then TCG is
http://www.amanatool.com/circular-saw-blades/hollow-ground-hg220t420.html

Thanks, I will check it out.  [big grin]

Tim

 

[norwegian wood]

a good source for amana products online is www.toolstoday.com

i am in no way affiliated with them. they have just given me great service and fair prices. I usually have products the next day if i order before 5 pm. and they never seem to be out of stock of anything. And all amana products seem to be quality made

 

[tiralie]

a good source for amana products online is www.toolstoday.com

i am in no way affiliated with them. they have just given me great service and fair prices. I usually have products the next day if i order before 5 pm. and they never seem to be out of stock of anything. And all amana products seem to be quality made

Thanks I will try them out.
I like the guys at Coastal Tool.
I see that Richelieu sells Amana products but they don't seem to have all the Amana products in their online catalog.
Tim

 

[bloorino]

Thanks Tim, i didn't realise that such a blade existed for the table saw. Is the blade that good that it clean cuts on both sides?? that sounds fantastic!!

A table saw maybe the option then as they are cheaper and normally smaller than the panel saws as i said i will only be make doors and i will rip the panels down before hand.

 

[bloorino]

Just checked and it looks like if i want one of those blades i'll have to get one sent for the USA ???  Not a problem just don't under stand why theirs none over here!

 

[AlexThePalex]

So if i get the right set up i shouldn't need a table/panel saw,would everyone agree with that?

I want what will do the job best, i know ideally a panel saw with scoring blade is the best but i haven't got the space for one.  

Your first question was about the CS70 and if it is good enough to cut MFC. And that it is. And also the TS55 should be good enough. But that's just looking at the cut itself. Now if we're going to talk about cutting sheet goods in a small shop, that's a whole different story. The CS70 is not so good with large panels simply because it doesn't have the surface. You can of course add extensions and make your own to support larger pieces but then still it is not a real panel saw with it's ease of use.

The way I would do it is use the TS55 to cut larger pieces to size and use the CS70 for the smaller pieces (say up to 1 meter/ 3 ft).
     
I've found that my CS70 cuts MFC very good, on both sides, as long as the blade is very sharp. Unfortuntely, with MFC blades will dull quickly. If you'd want to go with the router option, then keep in mind that router bits will also dull very quickly.

Anyway, unlike some people here, I would never say you don't need a table saw. I would say a tabel saw is indispensable for woodworking.

 

[tiralie]

Just checked and it looks like if i want one of those blades i'll have to get one sent for the USA ???  Not a problem just don't under stand why theirs none over here!

Hmmm, good  question. Can't answer it sorry.
The LU3F blades listed here http://www.freudtooling.co.uk/catalog/368/372/ have a similar degree rake and 15 degree hook as the LU97M and is listed .
You will have to order the Amana blades from one of the online suppliers. It looks like norwegian wood's recommendation, Toolstoday will ship internationally.
Good luck.
Tim