Powertec guide rails for TS55 + Freud blades for TS55

[rajun.services]

Hello,

I purchased a cheaper alternative for TS55 (long rips) - Powertec guide rails 2 x 55 inch for less than the price of 1 festool 55 track.
I was hoping it was going to work right off the bat, but there seems to be a bit of play when I place the saw on the rails.
Has anyone used it?

Also anyone uses Freud blades for Track saw? They don't have a 2.2mm in Freud, but they have a 2.5mm with great reviews. But the challenge is to remove and reattach the strips when using one vs the other.
Any thoughts? Or should I just stick with Freud saw or invest and get the Festool ones?

 

[cbyrd]

I have the Powertec guide rails and they work well.  I had to watch the tightness of the green adjustment knobs on the ts-55.  I found that if I cleaned the tracks with a dry lube the saw slid better.

 

[rajun.services]

Ok great. Do you typically interchange them between Festool track and powertec track? Other than the green knob adjustment, any other adjustment needed?

 

[Julie]

I purchased an Oshlun SBFT-160048 for use while my Festool blade was being sharpened. It has the same 2.2mm kerf and works well for me.

 

[rajun.services]

My concern with using 48T, 28T and 14T blades, I was looking at Freud blades, The 28T and 14T are both 2.5mm and Festool 48T is 2.2mm., So how do we keep up changing the rail guide tape?

 

[CeeJay]

I’m not sure you need to worry about the different kerf.

Both blades will sit hard up against the arbor when you clamp them on. The difference in kerf will manifest on the outside edge not the inside edge, so the only dimension that should matter to the rubber tape is the offset between the blade plate and the carbide tooth edge. I would be very surprised if that difference is more than 0.05mm.

I have Festool blades and Freud blades for my TS55 and I can’t see any difference in terms of the splinter guard  tape. I think they are effectively identical in use.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cbyrd]

Ok great. Do you typically interchange them between Festool track and powertec track? Other than the green knob adjustment, any other adjustment needed?

I really don't have to adjust anything other than the green knob.    I do not connect a powertec rail to the festool rail.  They don't quite match.    I did take some wet/dry sandpaper and smooth some of the sharp edges on the rails.

 

[rajun.services]

I’m not sure you need to worry about the different kerf.

Both blades will sit hard up against the arbor when you clamp them on. The difference in kerf will manifest on the outside edge not the inside edge, so the only dimension that should matter to the rubber tape is the offset between the blade plate and the carbide tooth edge. I would be very surprised if that difference is more than 0.05mm.

I have Festool blades and Freud blades for my TS55 and I can’t see any difference in terms of the splinter guard  tape. I think they are effectively identical in use.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you CeeJay. So you are saying I really don't have to change the splinter guard when using a 2.2mm vs 2.5mm blade?
But if the splinter guard is cut to allow 2.5mm the 2.2mm will be butting next the track and hopefully won't mess up the track right?

 

[rajun.services]

Ok great. Do you typically interchange them between Festool track and powertec track? Other than the green knob adjustment, any other adjustment needed?

I really don't have to adjust anything other than the green knob.    I do not connect a powertec rail to the festool rail.  They don't quite match.    I did take some wet/dry sandpaper and smooth some of the sharp edges on the rails.

Ok. Great. If it's only green knobs I can continue using powertec then Yes agree. I would join festool and powertec.
Wanted to make sure if the adjustment are more than just the green knobs.. Thank u!