Diamond blade for TS55 - I know I shouldn't but I have to...

[eightball]

Okay, I know this is a terrible thing to do (I've read the posts) but . . .

I need to precisely plunge cut into a concrete counter top.  Long story but there's an inset box in a kitchen countertop per design and I need to precisely plunge cut into 1.5" of concrete to make the opening larger.

I'm assuming (per other posts) that it's possible to get a diamond blade that will work in a TS55.  Any tips on where I could source?

Also, if someone has an alternative for a very precise plunge cut in concrete - I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Anthony

 

[Cheese]

I'd suggest giving this person from ATS a shout to see what they suggest. He's posted here a few times.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-connections/hello-from-ats-diamond-tools/msg560765/#msg560765

 

[neeleman]

In Europe we have the Festool DSC-AG 125 and 230 diamond plunge cutting grinders.
They can also be used on normal FS guide rails.
We also have a Festool diamond saw blade (#201910) for the TS 55, but it's not suited for concrete only for cement or fibre boards.
And I'm afraid both of these are NAINA.
Maybe other brands have the diamond grinders.

 

[waho6o9]

https://www.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Electric-Concrete-Saw-14/4114/index.html

Maybe rent one at the big box store?

 

[AlexThePalex]

This one job will wreck your TS55 for any precise woodwork you want to do. Rent a proper tool. You can also fit an angle grinder with a diamond blade and make a jig to get the precise depth.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Okay, I know this is a terrible thing to do (I've read the posts) but . . .

I need to precisely plunge cut into a concrete counter top.  Long story but there's an inset box in a kitchen countertop per design and I need to precisely plunge cut into 1.5" of concrete to make the opening larger.

I'm assuming (per other posts) that it's possible to get a diamond blade that will work in a TS55.  Any tips on where I could source?

Also, if someone has an alternative for a very precise plunge cut in concrete - I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Anthony

There are plunge attachments available now for various grinders, that double up as very efficient dust extraction hoods too.
We have them in 125mm (5”) and 230mm (9”) and we have been surprised how good they are.
Or as others have said hire something, I agree, I wouldn’t use the plunge saw.

 

[rst]

I have the Metabo W 12-125 HD SET CED PLUS diamond cutter.  Metabo has a rail for it but I have not tried or tested to see if if works on other rails...I would not use my Festool rails but my try it on the Makita rails I use for cutting steel doors, again with my Makita not my 55 or 75.

 

[DeformedTree]

This one job will wreck your TS55 for any precise woodwork you want to do. Rent a proper tool. You can also fit an angle grinder with a diamond blade and make a jig to get the precise depth.

While I'm not excited to try using diamond blade on concrete/stone with my TS55,  I have used them on my other circular saws.  Makes one heck of a mess for sure.  But that's also where the dust collection on a TS saw makes it so appealing to do this.    What do you think will get wrecked on the saw?  With the dust collection cleaning the saw after should be far easier, less chance of build up into the bearings.

I would be a bit more hesitant to use CT vs a shop vac.  Would rather trash a 50 dollar vacuum.

 

[Kodi Crescent]

This sounds like a job for an angle grinder, not the TS55.  You could always add some sort of straight edge to help you stay on your cut line.  It won't guide the angle grinder, but it may help you guide your hand during the cut.

 

[tjbnwi]

This blade;
https://www.contractorsdirect.com/Pearl-P4-Turbo-Mesh-Diamond-Blade?custcol1021=6

I've cut many cementitious products with my TS-55 saws, not an issue with any of them doing precious work afterwards.

Track saw is a great option for cutting plank tile longer than my 49" Monti will snap.

Tom

 

[AlexThePalex]

While I'm not excited to try using diamond blade on concrete/stone with my TS55,  I have used them on my other circular saws.  Makes one heck of a mess for sure.  But that's also where the dust collection on a TS saw makes it so appealing to do this.    What do you think will get wrecked on the saw?  With the dust collection cleaning the saw after should be far easier, less chance of build up into the bearings.

I would be a bit more hesitant to use CT vs a shop vac.  Would rather trash a 50 dollar vacuum.

Ok, I don't get this at all, you think the vac, which is indirectly exposed is more at risk than your saw which is right on top of the source? That's simply amazing.

The vac is not at risk at all, your hose is plastic and through that plastic it goes straight into the bag. Everything's contained.

But your expensive saw is iron and aluminium all over, and dust collection is not as good as you think it might be with cutting stone materials. Though a part gets sucked away, another part is going everywhere, including scratching up your base and getting into all your joints. Your bearings are safe by the way, they are shielded. The rest is not, including your motor.

I really don't understand why you would insist using your TS55 for this when there are plenty of better alternatives. Cost? Buying a blade costs as much as renting a proper tool. You could even buy a really cheap disposable angle grinder for that money.

Well, you can use your tools for whatever you want. I don't baby my tools, but I do respect them, and I respect my TS too much to put it on stone when there are better alternatives. But each to his own.

 

[mrboult]

While I'm not excited to try using diamond blade on concrete/stone with my TS55,  I have used them on my other circular saws.  Makes one heck of a mess for sure.  But that's also where the dust collection on a TS saw makes it so appealing to do this.    What do you think will get wrecked on the saw?  With the dust collection cleaning the saw after should be far easier, less chance of build up into the bearings.

I would be a bit more hesitant to use CT vs a shop vac.  Would rather trash a 50 dollar vacuum.

Ok, I don't get this at all, you think the vac, which is indirectly exposed is more at risk than your saw which is right on top of the source? That's simply amazing.

The vac is not at risk at all, your hose is plastic and through that plastic it goes straight into the bag. Everything's contained.

But your expensive saw is iron and aluminium all over, and dust collection is not as good as you think it might be with cutting stone materials. Though a part gets sucked away, another part is going everywhere, including scratching up your base and getting into all your joints. Your bearings are safe by the way, they are shielded. The rest is not, including your motor.

I really don't understand why you would insist using your TS55 for this when there are plenty of better alternatives. Cost? Buying a blade costs as much as renting a proper tool. You could even buy a really cheap disposable angle grinder for that money.

Well, you can use your tools for whatever you want. I don't baby my tools, but I do respect them, and I respect my TS too much to put it on stone when there are better alternatives. But each to his own.

You really think it would be that bad with extraction and a fresh bag? I've cut lots of plasterboard on a few jobs over the years and my 8yr old TS is absolutely fine. . . .would cement dust be that much worse interms of not getting properly collected by the vac? Maybe if the OP used extraction and some kind of blower to clear surrounding dust from the machine? Then cleaned the saw with compressed air after. . . .?

I get the temptation to use the TS for this job, much likelier and easier to get it perfect I'd imagine. Over an angle grinder and cheap plunge adapter anyway, but I have zero experience with this so my comments shouldn't hold too much weight. If you go slow I imagine everything would work out fine myself. . .

 

[tjbnwi]

Round the corners, square corners will more readily crack.

Tom

 

[DeformedTree]

While I'm not excited to try using diamond blade on concrete/stone with my TS55,  I have used them on my other circular saws.  Makes one heck of a mess for sure.  But that's also where the dust collection on a TS saw makes it so appealing to do this.    What do you think will get wrecked on the saw?  With the dust collection cleaning the saw after should be far easier, less chance of build up into the bearings.

I would be a bit more hesitant to use CT vs a shop vac.  Would rather trash a 50 dollar vacuum.

Ok, I don't get this at all, you think the vac, which is indirectly exposed is more at risk than your saw which is right on top of the source? That's simply amazing.

The vac is not at risk at all, your hose is plastic and through that plastic it goes straight into the bag. Everything's contained.

But your expensive saw is iron and aluminium all over, and dust collection is not as good as you think it might be with cutting stone materials. Though a part gets sucked away, another part is going everywhere, including scratching up your base and getting into all your joints. Your bearings are safe by the way, they are shielded. The rest is not, including your motor.

I really don't understand why you would insist using your TS55 for this when there are plenty of better alternatives. Cost? Buying a blade costs as much as renting a proper tool. You could even buy a really cheap disposable angle grinder for that money.

Well, you can use your tools for whatever you want. I don't baby my tools, but I do respect them, and I respect my TS too much to put it on stone when there are better alternatives. But each to his own.

Concrete dust makes a mess of vacuums, clogs the filters in a heartbeat, etc.  New TS 55,  $590    new CT 26 $730.  The vacuum cost more and my other tools are "dependent" on it.

I'm not sure where all you think the dust is going to go when hooked into a vacuum.  For sure it goes everywhere when not hooked into one.  Scratches in the blade chamber are not a concern.  Base plates get scratched with time, but since you are on a rail, it's not like you are dragging the saw on concrete.  The bearing has a seal, that doesn't mean you can't destroy it. The seal is the point to be concerned with, grit getting on the shaft can tear up the lip of the seal and or scratch the finish on the shaft where it will no longer seal properly.  The vacuum will help keep dust out of it.

I don't know why folks keep mentioning angle grinders.  The poster isn't doing demolition or grinding down metal.  You need a saw to get a straight and proper cut.  Additionally angle grinders make a huge mess, and yet have a very shallow depth.  A track saw is the right answer.  I might go looking for a used one for the task if one is concerned.  Or buy a new TS-55, swap parts from an older metric one so one can have a -F model in metric and then use the old saw.  A track saw would have been great for me when I was doing brick, concrete and stone work on my house.

 

[blaszcsj]

I cut granite countertop with my TS 55c and an ats blade ordered via amazon uk. Used my ct36ac and had buddy use second ctsys to catch any loose dust in the front that extraction missed. No issues just used tape on first cut to prevent chipping.

 

[rst]

Cutting stone is much like glass.  Drill the corners and cut to the hole.  Even plastics will last better if the corners have been drilled first.