Laminate floor saw blade

[10digit]

Has anyone used the Festool laminate floor saw blade for the TS55?  How long did it stay sharp?  I'm installing 700 sq. ft. of laminate and would like to use the TS55 and MFT for speed and accuracy - not too concerned about the cut quality as it will be mostly hidden by trim.  I know that the stock blade that came with the saw is not up to the task as it dulled from the aluminum oxide in the material after only a few cuts.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have the laminate blade for my CS70 and I did like 2000 sq ft with it and it's still going strong, I noticed only a slight deterioration in sharpeness and cut quality. It is a lot better for laminated material than Festool's standard blade.

 

[PaulMarcel]

The last time I installed laminate flooring, I used the Trion jigsaw; odd as it may seem, it went very quickly simply because I could have the saw wherever I needed it instead of running back to a SCMS (I don't have a Kapex for decent DC).  Didn't bring in a vac since the chips just dropped to the floor.  It was about 1,000 sf.  Individual laminate boards were about 6" wide.  For a long taper, a rail and TS-x5 would be nicer.

 

[Brice Burrell]

The last time I installed laminate flooring, I used the Trion jigsaw; odd as it may seem, it went very quickly simply because I could have the saw wherever I needed it instead of running back to a SCMS (I don't have a Kapex for decent DC).  Didn't bring in a vac since the chips just dropped to the floor.  It was about 1,000 sf.  Individual laminate boards were about 6" wide.  For a long taper, a rail and TS-x5 would be nicer.

Using a jigsaw is a fairly common practice for guys that don't do laminate everyday.  As Paul mentioned there are several advantages of using the jigsaw, little dust, you can conveniently use them right where you're working and the blades are cheap.  Using the TS55 and the MFT would be a lot more time consuming for crosscutting, ripping it would work great. 

 

[jhall]

+1 for the jig saw.  Lot of money for a blade if the cut doesn't show.  Where are you carvex?

 

[speed]

i also use a jigsaw,

i used a metal cutting blade for the first time last week, it lasted the whole floor and still cuts well and will use it on the next floor too, i usually use wood blades and needs 2-3 blades on a decent sized floor

 

[Deansocial]

i also use a jigsaw,

i used a metal cutting blade for the first time last week, it lasted the whole floor and still cuts well and will use it on the next floor too, i usually use wood blades and needs 2-3 blades on a decent sized floor

what wood blade you using? you want to buy bimetal blades not hcs blades

 

[speed]

im not sure off hand, i got one of them festool 35pc sets 75/4 rings a bell

 

[Deansocial]

i never used the festool blades that much just the ones it came with and didnt rekon much to em. Have you tried te lennox blades? they go forever

 

[speed]

ive tried a lennox blade once i got of a demo guy, was a few years ago tho.

i have just bought  a selection of bosch blades to try now, will keep an eye out for some lennox blades tho

 

[richard.selwyn]

I used to use the kapex and TS 55 for laminate flooring - now I just use a jigsaw, Bosch or trion or Carvex
A plumber / electrician friend dropped by on site today and said 'you been drinking?' it's true none of the cuts on the laminate were straight, but when I left this evening they were all covered by the skirting - which I cut with a lightweight Metabo chop saw fitted with a Festool blade. So I'd say save the money of an ( expensive) laminate blade and use a jigsaw - it's almost as quick as using the Kapex and much easier to cart around. I lay a very tiny 'workmate' style bench on a towel that I then drag around the room with the jigsaw hooked up to the Festool mini there,s very little cleanup and I don't have to crawl around nearly as much as I used to.
I just wish any one of the three jigsaws would cut in a straight line
Regards,
Richard

 

[Ken Nagrod]

If you want to use the jigsaw instead of a circular saw for cutting the laminate flooring, use a Speed Square with the jigsaw to guide it for a straight cut, running the jigsaw's base along the square's edge.  You can do the same thing with most circular saws too, depending on the motor getting in the way or not.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Yupper, that's what I did, Ken; super easy with that thick square er, triangle.

 

[andy5405]

I've read a lot of threads on here about all the different tools people use to install laminate floors and thought maybe I was a bit odd as I just use a jig saw. This thread has restored my faith in myself and I'm not the odd one out after all! At least when it comes to installing laminate.....

 

[Nigel]

Well,there is another tool/blade for this job.I know the OP was asking about circular saw blades just thought I'd mention it...

No teeth to dull,no dust,no electric needed and no noise.

It's a French invention used in the past to punish offensive aristocrats.

The guillotine-

http://dnn.edma.fr/Langues/Anglais/Produits/MenuisierAgenceur/Laminatecuttingguillotine/tabid/598/language/en-US/Default.aspx

 

[richard.selwyn]

I was doing some more laminate flooring today and used the TS 55 occasionally with whatever blade it had on it- I didn't check. I've never tried the guillotine and would be interested for any feedback from anyone who has. I also mentioned on another thread that Imwould like to get the skil saw or equivalent laminate flooring saw. I guess I fit too much of the stuff.

I digress:For a change I modified an old beat up 19th century dining table to make a coffe table. After a fair bit of aggression with the 75 belt sander, the RO 150 and the 3mm course 150 sander I was able to apply French polish and get a fairly good finish. Since the item was saved from going to the municipal dump I had no qualms about using titebondd 3 instead of hide glue. I must try to take a pic. Was much more fun that laminate flooring!
Richard

 

[Nigel]

Richard,

I've a wee laminate job coming up.I'll try a little video of the guillotine in action  [scared]

 

[PaulMarcel]

Richard,

I've a wee laminate job coming up.I'll try a little video of the guillotine in action  [scared]

Would have been a great Bastille Day video, but we'll eagerly watch it anyway.  [tongue]

 

[Nigel]

[thumbs up]

 

[richard.selwyn]

Richard,

I've a wee laminate job coming up.I'll try a little video of the guillotine in action  [scared]

Great