Demo blade for TS55 or Kapex

[Mark]

Is there a blade that will keep its carbide if it hits a nail? Working with scabbed wood and while I'm careful to pull and avoid nails there might be the occasional nail or screw that I've missed. I've seen blade designed for framing like the Freud Diablo that supposedly will keep its carbide if it hits a nail but I don't see anything like that for Festool.

Why am I such a cheapskate? Well this i all wood that was headed for the dumpster which was perfectly good and all straight grain. The challenge I have now is to reclaim this stuff without ending up with a bunch of dead blades and tools. This is more about reuse than cost. Thanks

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I would highly recommend you get a metal detector for *finding* the metal, rather than risking blades and such when they're not found.

I have had great results from the Lumber Wizard
Has saved my planer and jointer a number of times from a hidden staple and such.

 

[davee]

I don't know the answer to your question.  However, last week I was cutting a piece of plywood (3/4 inch birch from a big box store) and hit steel.  It was an irregular piece about 2 square inches and 1/32 inch thick.  It was laminated into the ply with no visual distortion externally.  I was using the blade that came with the saw. It was the first cut after having it resharpened.  I saw no damage to the blade and it still cuts pretty clean.  I would expect something from salvaged lumber but not fresh plywood.

 

[jonny round boy]

Mark,

Have you looked at the Rage 'Evolution' saws & blades? They claim to be able to cut wood and metal equally well, so could be ideal for what you have in mind. I don't think they do a blade small enough for the TS55, but they probably have one you could fit in the Kapex. Never used them myself, so can't say for sure if they're good, but it may be worth looking at.

 

[Hoover]

As WJ suggested, I would get a metal detector. 

As far as the festool blades hitting metal.  I needed to trim down something that I made but I changed the size needed after a few sections were made.  I ended up mistakenly cutting through a pocket hole screw while trimming it down.  The blade was the fine finish that comes with the TS 55.  The blade was undamaged and cut perfectly after my error.  That was a new screw, I have no idea on some other things like old flooring cleats, etc.  Some flooring guys might have some additional info since they have almost certainly cut a few with the festool blades.