TS 55 Blades and Aftermarket Alternatives, Sharpening, Etc.

[w802h]

Hi Folks, I was hoping to start an updated thread on the subject of TS 55 blades.  I really like performance of the Festool 48 tooth blade, and use it primarily for veneered sheet goods, but blades have come back from my local sharpener in an unacceptable condition.  I've been thinking about trying the Forrest blades which would standardize all my shop blades.  Does anyone have experience with these blades?

I've also used the Oshlun 28 tooth blade for site work tasks like cutting sheathing or making straight cuts in flooring for new wall plates.  It's nice having a more disposably-priced blade where I might encounter nails, etc.  It seems that when I move away from the Festool line of blades I don't quite get the same kerf line on my rails or maybe it was just time to replace the splinterguard anyway?  Do others have this issue? 

Are there other blades like Freud, etc. that people like?  I'm curious about other's experiences and knowledge.  Thanks!

 

[w802h]

A similar thread was revived while I was typing.  I still hope that some of these questions unique to this thread can be discussed.

 

[rst]

I use the AGE blades which I buy from Toolstoday.  I work primarily with plastic and aluminum and those are the blades I keep in all my saws...55, 75, 12" Makita slider, 10" Makita chop, Powermatic 66 and an old 10" Delta tilting table that I converted to to tilting arbor.  I never change out blades, even when cutting oak.

 

[Staniam]

I use the AGE blades which I buy from Toolstoday.  I work primarily with plastic and aluminum and those are the blades I keep in all my saws...55, 75, 12" Makita slider, 10" Makita chop, Powermatic 66 and an old 10" Delta tilting table that I converted to to tilting arbor.  I never change out blades, even when cutting oak.

Do you have a recommendation for a blade to cut laminate by any chance?

 

[Cheese]

I'm a firm believer in Forrest blades and used them exclusively when I had Milwaukee chop & slider saws. I still use a thin kerf Forrest in my table saw and like it a lot.

When I purchased the TS 55 & Kapex however, I just stayed with the stock Festool blades because they work well and I had no reason to change something that works.

If you like the performance of the Festool blade, why not just send it in to Leitz and have them resharpen it? They have several service centers in the US & Canada.
http://www.leitztooling.com/sharpening-services.htm

 

[Dangermouse]

in the UK, I use the trend craft range blades for my ts55, available in 28t and 48t versions, reasonably cheap too

 

[rst]

I cut laminated material, laminates, wood, and plastics all with the same plastic/aluminum blades that I use for everything. http://www.toolstoday.com/p-6095-festool-and-other-track-saw-machine-compatible-saw-blades andhttp://www.toolstoday.com/c-422-aluminum-cutting-carbide-tipped-saw-blades  I also use Freud's industrial bladeshttp://www.routerbitworld.com/Freud-LU90M012-12-Diameter-X-120T-TCG-Thin-Stock  http://www.routerbitworld.com/Freud-LU90M010-10-Diameter-X-100T-TCG-Thin-Stock

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I would look for a new sharpener.  There's nothing magic about Festool blades.  Mine always come back in great shape. 

 

[ProtradeUK]

Afternoon chaps, thought I'd revive this old thread. We are a UK based Festool dealer and have recently conducted market research and tests with our own brand plunge saw blade which have proved to be very positive to say the least.
If you'd like more information or based in the UK and interested in purchasing here's a link to the current offers we have running.
http://www.protrade.co.uk/credible-alternative-to-the-festool-ts55-plunge-saw-blade.aspx

Cheers

Protrade

 

[1toolshort]

my buddy swears by Tenyuru (sp???) on his.  1/2 the price, he says and better cut.  I doubt the better cut, but I looked it up and they are about 1/2 the price.  160mm I think is the answer....

 

[1toolshort]

From another post in tis forum.....

The Tenyru Finish blade (miter pro plus I believe it's called) for the Kapex makes it a better saw IMO. Been running it for a few years and love it. only swap into the factory  blade when I frame or do a deck. But mostly keep that blade on there. Forrest is awesome as well, last I checked though they didn't make a finish blade for the Kapex, maybe they do now. But the Tenyru is about as good as it gets and it's angle tooth which I prefer, not as grabby as the Festool blade.

Same story with the TS 55

 

[Bob D.]

Having just read the jig saw thread that talked about warranty issues could arise from using non-Festool blades I think I will stay away from third-party blades with my TSC55.

Does this apply to all their sanders too? I can only use Festool sandpaper if I want my warranty to be honored?

Guess I can only use Festool bits in my router and drill/driver too.

 

[Holmz]

Having just read the jig saw thread that talked about warranty issues could arise from using non-Festool blades I think I will stay away from third-party blades with my TSC55.

Does this apply to all their sanders too? I can only use Festool sandpaper if I want my warranty to be honored?

Guess I can only use Festool bits in my router and drill/driver too.

^  [eek] ^ I have an MT55  [cool]... I have probably saved the difference in machine price already  [big grin]

I was looking for some indication that your post was sarcastic (since we find faults in others that we have in ourselves  [wink] ), but I believe you are serious?

Thanks for the earlier recommendation on the Forrest brand for veneer.

 

[Cochese]

People are taking the warranty thing to absurd levels.

 

[antss]

I like the Freud lineup for a "budget" blade.

Sharpening FT blades should be done through Leitz.  I've had good luck with BURNS, but I think factory is better.

Forrest is hit or miss this century, especially sharpening other folks' stuff.  They certainly aren't budget blades looking for a nail.  And no one that I know of has said a Forrest blades are BETTER than an OEM blade.  Which begs the question : why chance it ? 

Personally , I think metric blades should be bought from companies who think in metric.  And that isn't Forrest.  No scientific evidence to substantiate that though.

 

[semenza]

People are taking the warranty thing to absurd levels.

Yes, I agree.  Especially in regards to attempting to make every relate-able topic on the forum into a topic on the warranty.  If you want to discuss the warranty denial conditions please do so in the topic on that subject.

Link to bit and blade warranty discussion  Warranty Discussion

Seth

 

[krudawg]

I'm a firm believer in Forrest blades and used them exclusively when I had Milwaukee chop & slider saws. I still use a thin kerf Forrest in my table saw and like it a lot.

When I purchased the TS 55 & Kapex however, I just stayed with the stock Festool blades because they work well and I had no reason to change something that works.

If you like the performance of the Festool blade, why not just send it in to Leitz and have them resharpen it? They have several service centers in the US & Canada.
http://www.leitztooling.com/sharpening-services.htm

Put me down for Forrest Blades.  Very nice Blades, Great Customer Service with Deep Blade knowledge (Ted R).  I've got several blades in my collection for my Hammer Table Saw and for my TS55.  I had to cut some aluminum the other day and didn't want to spend for a premium blade I rarely used so I bought a very cheap OSHLUN blade at AMAZON ($39).  I must say it did a very nice job on 6mm plate aluminum.