TS 55 Blade for cutting melamine?

[mastercabman]

I have been using the standard blade that comes with the saw to cut Melamine.It's okay if the blade is sharp.
Is there a better choice for that task?  I have not tried any other blades.
I have a job now to build a few cabinets out of melamine(including doors and drawers front)so i need to be as clean as possible with the cuts.
Thanks.

 

[ForumMFG]

One of the things they showed us at the class was while using the TS55 to cut melamine with the guide rail and outrigger splintergard.  The cut was perfect with no chipout just using the blade that actually come with the saw when you buy it.

 

[sw1211]

I have the Tenryu melamine blade for the 55 and it gives real clean cuts.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Hey Steve how much use have you gotten out of your Tenryu melamine blade? My experience is that any blade that produces nice results doesn't stay sharp for long and then the cuts go to crap.

 

[sw1211]

I've just used it a few times so I can't really speak to how it performs after extensive use.  I try to avoid melamine as much as possible.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Melamine will always dull your blades very fast. If you want to have the best result, get a brand new blade with as much teeth as possible, and from the hardest material you can find.

 

[tbellemare]

Don't you want a TC grind for melamine? It seems like an ATB blade would get dull real fast.

Tom

 

[cdconey]

Or a real high ATB like 40 degrees.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Don't you want a TC grind for melamine? It seems like an ATB blade would get dull real fast.

Tom

A triple chip grind will last longer, and when sharp, it will provide good results, but not as good as an ATB. The best results will come from a high angle ATB, but these will dull faster. The lower angle ATB that Festool uses provides a good compromise between best results and longevity.

 

[EcoFurniture]

I just did a couple of test cuts with the standard TS55 blade on white melamine. The blade just came back from the sharpening service...
Even though I was cutting really slow with both splinterguards in tip top shape, I had some really rough cuts!
Actually, it looked like crap....

 

[Brice Burrell]

I just did a couple of test cuts with the standard TS55 blade on white melamine. The blade just came back from the sharpening service...
Even though I was cutting really slow with both splinterguards in tip top shape, I had some really rough cuts!
Actually, it looked like crap....

It's not uncommon for this to happen, a good sharpening service is not easy to come by. I hate when a quality blade comes back sharpened poorly, you might as well be using a cheapo from the depot. On the other hand a good sharpening can (but not always) make a difference with lower quality blades. They can come back cutting better than when new. 

 

[EcoFurniture]

You made a very good point here, Bryce! I actually had this impression for a while already, that the company I'm dealing with may not be the best to do business with.... It's hard to know who to trust these days....

 

[Brice Burrell]

You made a very good point here, Bryce! I actually had this impression for a while already, that the company I'm dealing with may not be the best to do business with.... It's hard to know who to trust these days....

I had a good local sharpening service that went under, they really cared about your blades being sharpened correctly. They weren't the cheapest but without paying shipping and the fast turnaround it was worth the price. I tried another highly recommended local service, cheaper, slower and less than great results. Now I've got a number of blades sitting around waiting to get sharpened. I guess I'll try one of the sharpening services over the net. 

 

[mastercabman]

So,really, the 48T blade that comes with the saw is my best choice?
What about the blade to cut AL.METAL is it any better?  I usally use a blade like that to cut laminated(HPL) covered particle board.and i get a real clean cut because of the negative hook on the blade.

 

[ForumMFG]

Mastercab,

48t is what festool recommends.

 

[PeterK]

A couple times I have sent blades in to Forrest for sharpening with good results. A couple came back better than new. They have free return shipping right now if use code FS. Never tried any other sharpening sources on the web.

 

[cdconey]

I have used the 48T, the TCG blade, the Panther, and had a custom blade made by Ridge Carbide with a 40 degree ATB.  My custom balde works the best for melamine.  I would rate the 48T next, the TCG, then the Panther blade from there.  Just remember to clean your blades often when using melamine, that will help the cut quality by keeping the blade clean.

 

[mastercabman]

I went to my local woodcraft store and got the blade to cut ALU/METAL for my TS 55 and started to cut double sided Melamine and i have to say that i am very pleased with the finish.VERY CLEAN!!  I have cut a lot for the past 2 days and it is still giving me good result.
There is another blade that is designed to cut solid surface/laminate that i was told it would do a good job on Melamine,maybe i will try it if i get more jobs with melamine.