Cutting Eco-Clad with TS75

[ctozzi]

Hi all - I'm new to forum and Festool tools in general - I'm currently plotting out a small shop for myself and lurking on this forum has been very resourceful!  Great place you have here

I'm currently working on a project in my garden whereas we're covering a wall with panels of Eco-Clad, a dense composite material composed of paper materials and bamboo fibers bound together in a water-based resin.  The panels arrive as 4x8 sheets, which I'm looking to cut into 2x8 strips. Thickness is 1/4".

I was thinking of handling this with a TS55 or 75 using a solid-surface/laminate blade. Any considerations / concerns I should have going forward?  My main concern is a clean cut, as I've never worked with this material before.

Info + tech specs on Eco-Clad are here.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Craig, I think you're on the right track with the TS55 and a solid-surface/laminate blade. I've not used Eco-Clad before but it seems like it would be a fairly dense product. At only 1/4" thick I believe the TS55 should be about to handle it. The laminate blade will stay sharp longer than the stock blade and product clean cuts. But like I said I've used this stuff so getting other opinions would be a good idea before ordering.

And welcome to the forum!

 

[chris mann]

You'll be fine with the 55.  I've cut 1" thick Paperstone (which is very similar to ecotop) with the the 55 and it's been fine.  I haven't really seen a difference with cut quality between the special blade and the fine blade, but have not used the laminate blade.  My guess is with the rubber strip and splinter thing on the side, you'll be fine.  And you'll probably want to ease the edge after cutting, which would eliminate any slight chip out.

 

[ctozzi]

Thanks for the help guys!