Question for you guys (Tenryu vs Festool)

[Sean7a]

I'm aware there is a Tenryu thread in this forum, and yes this thread I'm starting involves Tenryu, but I have a specific question.

Who has purchased Tenryu blades for their Festool saws?

If you have, what are your thoughts?  I'm on the fence about bringing them in for the shop.  Never have I heard a complaint about a Festool blade in regards to performance, quality, reliability, etc.

Tenryu is my #1 selling cabinet saw blade (gold medal) as well as sliding miter saw blade (Silencers).  It would seem like a no brainer to bring in Tenryu blades that work on Festool saws.  The CATCH is that I think Fes might have a better blade than Tenryu.  Not sure if everyone knows who makes the blades for Fes so I wont spew some info, but they are highly regarded as some of the best if not the best blades around.

What say you??

 

[score0matic]

I Think you ought to talk to your rep and have them send you an evaluation copy of each tooth count they make and do a heads up  each pitted against its counter part cutting what it is designed to......then post it on youtube and let the world know  [scared]

Craig

 

[Sean7a]

Wish I had the time!  And I would bet it'd be a waste of time.  My instincts tell me the Fes blades will crush Tenryu's offerings, but I was curious what some of you had to say that have givin'em a go

 

[JEP]

I just installed a Tenryu melamine blade on my TS55.  This week and next I'll be trying it out on a cabinet project, some melamine, some plywood.  I'll let you know what I think after 16 sheets of material.  The test cuts I made were very nice, but every new blade cuts nice on the first cut.

 

[sw1211]

Beyond the quality of cuts, the Tenryu blades are nice because they all have the same kerf (except for their thin kerf), saves on having to install new splinter guards.  I've yet to come across a Tenryu blade I wasn't happy with.

 

[rnt80]

I have a Tenryu on my tss55 and have been happy with it.  I've used two different Festool blades on my Kapex and haven't really been pleased with either.  I've actually been really disappointed with the fine finish blade.  The cut was not that much of an improvement over the stock blade and it has shown itself to get progressively worse. 

 

[jonny round boy]

Beyond the quality of cuts, the Tenryu blades are nice because they all have the same kerf (except for their thin kerf), saves on having to install new splinter guards.  I've yet to come across a Tenryu blade I wasn't happy with.

I don't know if you've got the new ones in the US yet, but the festool blades sold in Europe have all been re-designed. All 5 blades (Panther, Universal, Fine, Special plastic and Special Aluminium) now have exactly the same kerf of 2.2mm across the range. See HERE on the Festool UK site.

 

[spikfot]

I bought a Panther for my Precisio CS70 last week and it had the original wide kerf. That combo works so well that Iv'e decided to sell my other portable tablesaw.

 

[jonny round boy]

I bought a Panther for my Precisio CS70 last week and it had the original wide kerf.

William,

I was referring to the blades for the TS55 only. Sorry, I should have specified that in my earlier post.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Beyond the quality of cuts, the Tenryu blades are nice because they all have the same kerf (except for their thin kerf), saves on having to install new splinter guards.  I've yet to come across a Tenryu blade I wasn't happy with.

I don't know if you've got the new ones in the US yet, but the festool blades sold in Europe have all been re-designed. All 5 blades (Panther, Universal, Fine, Special plastic and Special Aluminium) now have exactly the same kerf of 2.2mm across the range. See HERE on the Festool UK site.

Great move!  Hope that's coming to the US soon.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Beyond the quality of cuts, the Tenryu blades are nice because they all have the same kerf (except for their thin kerf), saves on having to install new splinter guards.  I've yet to come across a Tenryu blade I wasn't happy with.

I don't know if you've got the new ones in the US yet, but the festool blades sold in Europe have all been re-designed. All 5 blades (Panther, Universal, Fine, Special plastic and Special Aluminium) now have exactly the same kerf of 2.2mm across the range. See HERE on the Festool UK site.

I'll be watching for third party confirmation since Festool literature has in the past specified different kerfs than that stamped on the blades themselves. Also, the original Panther was very reluctant to stay within it's specified kerf anyway.

 

[mouppe]

Good news about the kerf size. That means we will not have to worry about which guide rail goes with which blade in the future.

Richard.

 

[jonny round boy]

I'll be watching for third party confirmation since Festool literature has in the past specified different kerfs than that stamped on the blades themselves. Also, the original Panther was very reluctant to stay within it's specified kerf anyway.

In front of me, I have the Festool UK 07/08 catalogue, and the 10/11 catalogue too for comparison. It's clear that the TS55 blades have indeed changed, as the part numbers and specs are different:

Fine Tooth blade (48 tooth ATB) - old/new number 491952, kerf 2.2mm. This blade has not changed.

Universal blade (28 tooth ATB) - old part no 490516, kerf 2.5mm; new part no 496302, kerf 2.2mm

Aluminium/Plastic blade (56/52 tooth, triple-chip) - old no 439686, kerf 2.5mm; new no 496306, kerf 2.2mm *Note - old blade had 56 teeth, new has 52

Laminate/Solid Surface blade (48 tooth, triple chip) - old no 489457, kerf 2.6mm; new no 496308, kerf 2.2mm

Panther blade (14/12 tooth, ATB) - old no 439685, kerf 2.5mm; new no 496301, kerf 2.2mm *Note - old blade had 14 teeth, new only has 12. Also, the tooth angle has been reduced from 35 degrees to 20 degrees

In the older catalogue, there is also a listing for a 'standard' blade which is 12 tooth ATB with a 20 degree angle (the same as the new 'Panther' blade). This is not listed in the newer catalogue as a 'standard' blade. A lot of people stated that they found the panther blade too agressive, so maybe this change to the new panther/old universal blade is an attempt to address those issues. Perhaps it also helps with the 'blade wander' that Michael referred to in his post ???

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Those who are interested in the various kerfs on TS55 blades may like to read the thread entitled Panther 12 tooth blade trashed my guide rail strips from last July, and in particular my post there.

Forrest

 

[Sean7a]

Beyond the quality of cuts, the Tenryu blades are nice because they all have the same kerf (except for their thin kerf), saves on having to install new splinter guards.  I've yet to come across a Tenryu blade I wasn't happy with.

I don't know if you've got the new ones in the US yet, but the festool blades sold in Europe have all been re-designed. All 5 blades (Panther, Universal, Fine, Special plastic and Special Aluminium) now have exactly the same kerf of 2.2mm across the range. See HERE on the Festool UK site.

Wow, very cool.  Can't wait til they hit here!

 

[jonny round boy]

As usual, it turns out someone (in this case Forrest) has already posted the info I was trying to get across, only much sooner and in a much easier to understand format  [doh]

Cheers Forrest  [not worthy]

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I have used the Tenyru rip blade on my TS 55 saw, and much earlier posted photos of the cut edge in red oak stock.  I am quite satisfied with that blade and purchased it because I did not want to use the "old" design Panther blade with the wider kerf on my Guide Rails.  I have been using a Tenyru Gold Medal 10" combination blade on my cabinet saw for >2 years and am very satisfied with it -- all cuts are glue line ready.  I recently purchased a Tenyru 10" HD rip blade for that saw, and have a second Gold Medal combination blade as a back up in the event I hit embedded metal.

Dave R.

 

[Brice Burrell]

My somewhat limited experience with the 28 tooth Tenryu blade for my TS55 has been very good. I use it for ripping mostly and it works pretty well. Most of the cut is almost polished very few faint saw marks.

 

[mastercabman]

What is the price difference (if any) between the Tenryu and Festool?

 

[Brice Burrell]

What is the price difference (if any) between the Tenryu and Festool?

Tenryu is a little cheaper, at least for the TS55 blades.