So I have $5000 to outfit the studio with Festools

[Ken Nagrod]

This is so damn confusing.  [huh]  The smaller number in parentheses in the yellow band is the old model number that blade replaces?

 

[Bob Marino]

This is so damn confusing.  [huh]  The smaller number in parentheses in the yellow band is the old model number that blade replaces?

Yep, correct, Ken.

Bob

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I just want to say thank you Tom and Bob for enlightening us to this information.  Too bad other dealers aren't conveying this to their customers or noticing it in the first place.

 

[tbellemare]

All dealers are privy to this information. It was published in internal documentation as the changes occurred.

In their defense, there's a lot to keep up with but certain things, like chewing up splinter guards, really stand out (at least to me).

The last of the batch to be upgraded was the Universal Blade. If you do a search in this Forum, I think you'll find a post I made asking, "why not that blade too?".

Tom

 

[Bob Marino]

Here's a chart for the TS 55 blades - including the oldest numbers - for those who have blades older than  about 3-4 years - I know there are some you are out there!

       


   

     Description
                                                           Oldest item number         Newer item number         Newest item number (as of NOV 10)             Kerf size (mm)

Standard Saw Blade                                  487 377                         495 374                              496 305*******                                         2.2mm
 

Panther Saw Blade                                    439 685                        495 372                               495 372/496 305******                           2.5mm
 

Universal Saw Blade                                  490 516                       495 376                               496 304                                                        2.2mm
       

Fine Tooth Saw Blade                                491 952                       495 377                                495 377                                                       2.2mm

Aluminum/plastic saw blade                       439 686                      495 373                                496 307                                                       2.2mm

Solid Surface/laminate saw blade              489 457                       495 375                                496 309                                                       2.2mm
 



The ********* indicates that the 496305 is an updated Standard 12 tooth blade, even though it is now called the Panther blade. Festool no longer uses the description "Standard blade" on the blade packaging and still maintains the same price  - $35.00 as the (older) Standard blade.
The older 14 tooth  Panther blade 495 372 is still available as supplies last.

Hope this helps....at least a bit.

Bob

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Thanks Bob.  Very helpful.  Now what about the TS75's blades?  Any changes too?

 

[tbellemare]

Nope.

Tom

 

[tbellemare]

I know some people have dedicated guide rails for ripping because of the disparity in kerf between the old Panthers (439685 & 495372), which had a 2.5mm kerf, and the Fine Tooth Blade that comes with the TS 55 (495377, formerly 491952) and has a 2.2mm kerf. The old Panther blades are good for those people because they dedicated guide rail(s) so they didn't tear up their splinter guard(s).

My original post in this thread was to point out the difference in the new blades, which all begin with 496 and all have a 2.2mm kerf. That kerf was standardized to match the blade that comes with your TS 55.

If ordering by number, it's (sort of) easy to remember that only the Fine Tooth Blade should begin with anything other than 496. The best thing to do is call or email and get the proper advice. Things are always in flux...

Tom

 

[Corwin]

Thanks to both Bob and Tom for covering this blade info.  I would love to see this info in its own thread so we can have a more direct access to it.  Thanks.

 

[Bob Marino]

Thanks to both Bob and Tom for covering this blade info.  I would love to see this info in its own thread so we can have a more direct access to it.  Thanks.

Welcome, Corwin.

Good idea! Why not do a copy and paste of what you think is good information and start a thread?

Bob

 

[tbellemare]

Corwin:

You and all are always welcome to information that is accurate and useful.

The current TS 55 blade assortment and information is available here.

Tom

 

[Corwin]

Here's a chart for the TS 55 blades - including the oldest numbers - for those who have blades older than  about 3-4 years - I know there are some you are out there!

   
     Description
                                                              Oldest item number         Newer item number            Newest item number (as of NOV 10)

Standard Saw Blade                                     487 377                         495 374                              496 305*******
 

Panther Saw Blade                                       439 685                        495 372                               495 372/496 305******
 

Universal Saw Blade                                     490 516                       495 376                               496 304

Fine Tooth Saw Blade                                   491 952                       495 377                                495 377

Aluminum/plastic saw blade                          439 686                      495 373                               496 307

 
Solid Surface/laminate saw blade                 489 457                        495 375                           496 309



The ********* indicates that the 496305 is an updated Standard 12 tooth blade, even though it is now called the Panther blade. Festool no longer uses the description "Standard blade" on the blade packaging and still maintains the same price  - $35.00 as the (older) Standard blade.
The older 14 tooth  Panther blade 495 372 is still available as supplies last.

Hope this helps....at least a bit.

Bob

I like this chart.  It is a good reference for anyone wanting to know the correct product numbers of both the older and newer blades.  You might also include the blade kerf sizes to further clarify the situation.

.

 

[Bob Marino]

 Good idea - kerf sizes added.

Bob

 
Here's a chart for the TS 55 blades - including the oldest numbers - for those who have blades older than  about 3-4 years - I know there are some you are out there!

   

     Description
                                                       Oldest item number         Newer item number         Newest item number (as of NOV 10)             Kerf size (mm) old/new

Standard Saw Blade                              487 377                         495 374                              496 305*******                                          2.5mm/2.2mm
 

Panther Saw Blade                                439 685                         495 372                               495 372/496 305******                            2.5mm/2.2mm
 

Universal Saw Blade                              490 516                         495 376                               496 304                                                       2.5mm/2.2mm
       

Fine Tooth Saw Blade                            491 952                         495 377                               495 377                                                       2.2mm/ 2.2mm

Aluminum/plastic saw blade                   439 686                        495 373                                496 307                                                      2.5mm/2.2mm

Solid Surface/laminate saw blade          489 457                       495 375                                496 309                                                        2.6mm/2.2mm
 

The ********* indicates that the 496305 is an updated Standard 12 tooth blade, even though it is now called the Panther blade. Festool no longer uses the description "Standard blade" on the blade packaging and still maintains the same price  - $35.00 as the (older) Standard blade.
The older 14 tooth  Panther blade 495 372 is still available as supplies last.

Hope this helps....at least a bit.

Bob

 

[Corwin]

 Good idea - kerf sizes added.

Bob

Thanks, Bob.  But............ how about adding the sizes of the older blades too (list for each numbered blade) -- that's what will illustrate the issue with these blades.  Sorry to tack on a little more work for you, but that is what would make sense to me.  

I am very happy that Festool has changed their blades to offer the same kerfs.  I hope that this does in fact translate into the ability to use different blades without messing up the guide's strip.  Just wish they had done that before I had purchased a couple extras for my 55 and 75 -- Oh well, better late for me than never.  Way better.

Okay, I see you've made some changes.  But 3 columns of item numbers and 2 columns of kerf still leave some questions...  Sorry.  But you're almost there!  [big grin]

 

[Bob Marino]

 Good idea - kerf sizes added.

Bob

Thanks, Bob.  But............ how about adding the sizes of the older blades too (list for each numbered blade) -- that's what will illustrate the issue with these blades.  Sorry to tack on a little more work for you, but that is what would make sense to me.  

I am very happy that Festool has changed their blades to offer the same kerfs.  Just wish they had done that before I had purchased a couple extras for my 55 and 75 -- oh well, better late for me than never.  Way better.

  No problema. Better idea.

 

[tbellemare]

Here's a chart:

[attachimg=#1]

Tom

 

[Corwin]

A couple of great guys!  And good sports too.    [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

 

[Bob Marino]

A couple of great guys!  And good sports too.     [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah baby. Damn right! ;D [laughing]

Bob

 

[tbellemare]

It's funny, Corwin, I was making that when you suggested it. Maybe we have similar thoughts...

Tom

 

[Ken Nagrod]

A couple of great guys!  And good sports too.     [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Yes, thanks for all the work tonight.

I've got a couple of brand new, in the cardboard, fresh as can be 2.5mm kerf blades that I'm sure nobody would buy from me for any reasonable amount of money.  I was thinkin of asking Forrest Blade how much to grind them to 2.2mm since they all have the same 1/16" plate thickness it shouldn't be a problem and it would save the hassle with all my guide rails.  It is interesting though why Festool went with the 2.5mm kerf and 2.6mm on the solid surface blade.  Strength and longer life?