CLOSED - TS55 - Did laminate ruin my blade? (see photo)

[Toy Sun]

Hi,
New TS55, only had about 20 cuts on it, beautiful cuts, by the way.
We cut some pre-laminated countertop (IKEA) doing some plunge cuts to make a sink opening. The laminate is actually pretty thin, but the substrate was 2" particleboard. We used the 48 tooth blade that came with the saw.
Since then, burning cuts, saw bogging down to the point where it feels dangerous.

Called Festool USA, discussed that this could be a ruined blade and/or gunked up with laminate glue.
What do you guys think?
Photo attached.

Thanks in advance,
John

 

[Deansocial]

Clean the blade. Ikea tops are often square edge and have thick PVC edgin that soon builds up on blades. I found the same happens with PVC wrapped cornice/ pelmet.

 

[ajones]

Well you can clearly see it needs to be cleaned. and if its blunt get it sharpened.. laminate is tough on blades.

 

[erock]

I used my TS55 for laminated flooring and it caused the blade to cut poorly the next time I went to cut some plywood.  I cleaned the blade and everything is nice and smooth again.  But I don't think my blade looked as bad as the one in the picutes.  At any rate, a good cleaning and maybe a sharpening would get you back to smooth cuts.
Try cleaning it first.  It worked for me.

Eric

 

[JJ Wavra]

I would clean the blade,there is a lot of pitch on it in the picture.  The pitch really causes burning even more so than a dull blade, although a dull blade can burn as well.  Also, Festool blades have very good quality carbide on them so I would expect them to Make more than a few cuts. Trend makes a great blade cleaner.
Jeff

 

[Toy Sun]

Thanks for the fast responses, all.
I'll start with cleaner and see how it cuts after that - I'll check back in.

John

 

[Julian Tracy]

I had a very gunked up router bit that seemingly nothing would work to clean it.  I used Barkeepers Friend (powered cleaner, like comet) and it cleaned off as quick as could be.

It was amazing how quick it cut thru the pitch buildup.

JT

 

[Toy Sun]

Thanks for all the great tips, everyone.
Of course, there is WAY too much info on the internet about blade cleaners  ;D
I settled on Trend, 12 bucks at Woodcraft, environmentally sound (claims manufacturer), after trying Goo Gone, which didn't work.
Trend is pretty amazing - I did a 20 minute soak and then a nylon brush, see the result:

Unfortunately, the problem remains (saw bogs down, lifts out of the cut, and is burning), so tomorrow I'm taking the blade into a sharpener to see what they think.

Stay tuned.

Thanks,
John

 

[ccarrolladams]

The bit and blade cleaner that has for years worked best for me is marketed by Felder. We use that as often as needed to keep my blades and bits clean.

For over 50 years I have used the same tool grinding service for all of my metal cutting tools. Twenty years ago when my Pasadena, CA based wood bit and blade grinder retired, I switched that business to my tool grinder. They have sate-of-the-art CNC blade and bit grinding machines and understand Festool blades as well as the larger Felder blades I use.

But just as my late wife always gave our home a going-over before the cleaning crew arrived, I always clean my bits and blades before they get picked-up for sharpening.

 

[Timtool]

Thanks for the Felder cleaner tip ccarrolladams, i always clean mine as well with turpentine before sending them in for sharpening.

Love the disclaimers on the US blades, between the lines i read "you can't sue us, because we warned you not to use this blade"

 

[Tinker]

In the pic, it looks as if some of the teeth are less than sharp.  Some teeth appear to still be as sharp as when new.
I am thinking that you should be using a different blade for cutting laminate.
Off hand, i don't know how many teeth on the blade i use for such materials has a negative pitch.
The blade is festool for ATF 55. Teeth are -5º negative.  i don't have time to research how many teeth right now, but it is a Festool blade.
I seldom use that blade for anything except for laminates and plywood. 
my other blades i do not use for laminates, but sometimes use for plywood.
also use the negative pitch blade when i suspect hardware of any kind might be present in the wood. (always for used lumber)
Tinker

 

[Toy Sun]

I changed the subject line to closed, as the problem was dulling - which you guys pointed out.
I took the blade into Eastside Saw in Bellevue, WA and got it sharpened for just over 20 bucks.
I haven't tried the blade yet, but I really liked dealing with these guys, they clearly know what they are doing, they are Festool dealers, etc..

Hopefully I won't be cutting any more laminate, but if I do, I'll pony up for the laminate blade.

Best,

John