TS 55 Blade Question(s)....?

[JustinWG]

I'm picking up a TS 55 tomorrow.  Primary purpose is to break down sheets of ply for hobbyist purposes.  Secondary purpose is to rip hardwood flooring (first job - 1/2" solid strand bamboo).

Questions:

Which blade would provide the best quality on the ply?

Blade for hardwood flooring - especially bamboo? 

Side note - all of my experience with bamboo is that it can dull the crap out of a blade quick.  Upon a recommendation from the local hardware store, I had purchased a 12" Freud TCG 96 tooth for my DW780 and it was dull after less than 400-500 ft.  Seemed really odd to me, as I had never had a problem like that and Freud usually has a decent reputation for quality.  The cuts were sliding cuts, not plunged....

Will Festool blades hold an edge?

As always, thanks for the input.

 

[Svar]

My guess Festool blade will get dull as quickly as Freud.

 

[Bohdan]

On abrasive material the blade with the largest angle at the carbide face that meets the material will last the longest. That is why a triple chip blade with negative rake will have the longest life but not the best cut.

Blades with an aggressive attack angle will initially usually give a very good cut but will blunt quickly.

You have to decide which is important to you - a good cut or long life.