TS55 Cordless with CMT Fiber Cement Blade

[Shushu]

I have just bought the Festool TSC55 and the CMT Fiber Cement blade for it.

My question is what is the best speed to set the saw to.

Would like to hear any feedback that anyone has to the tool.

Tips are greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Shareen

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi Shareen,

I own the TSC and it's manual says to use speed 1 - 3. I would start with 2 or a little less and see what happens - if necessary adjust the setting.

(Can't offer personal experience with this as >>I

 

[Shane Holland]

PSA --- Crystalline silica is in fiber cement which is a carcinogen and can cause respiratory issues. You should wear a respirator.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

PSA --- Crystalline silica is in fiber cement which is a carcinogen and can cause respiratory issues. You should wear a respirator.

I thought you were supposed to hold your breath during cuts.  Now I have to change my whole set up.  [big grin]

 

[Cheese]

For the TS 55, Festool recommends a speed of 1-3. I've been using an HKC with a CMT blade on Allura at full throttle (4500 rpm) because the HKC doesn't have a speed control on it. However, Festool recommends using the HKC for cement board so maybe exact blade speed is not an issue.  [smile]

 

[Brice Burrell]

CMT 236.160.04H Fiber Cement Blade says 9,500 max rpm on the blade. Running the saw at full speed should be fine.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Could be a benefit to running at a slower speed, maybe less dust in the air.

 

[Cheese]

Could be a benefit to running at a slower speed, maybe less dust in the air.

You're exactly correct Michael, I've cut Allura with my TS 55 on speed 3 and with only dust bags on both saws, the HKC produces a lot more dust although to be fair, it does have considerably more of its blade exposed.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Could be a benefit to running at a slower speed, maybe less dust in the air.

I was posting in regards to using the CMT blade with the HKC that doesn't have speed control.  Your slower speed=less dust theory seems logical, but I have no idea if that's really how it works or not. 

 

[Cheese]

Your slower speed=less dust theory seems logical, but I have no idea if that's really how it works or not.

Hey Brice, and neither do I, I was just noting the difference in the apparent dust proliferation when comparing the HKC to the TS. With the TS it was a wisp of dust when the blade hit the Allura, with the HKC it was a mini cloud.

However, I will say, I was extremely impressed with the dust collection on the HKC given its open blade configuration. I was cutting some 1 3/4" thick maple butcher block countertops for a neighbor with the standard blade and a dust bag. I was very impressed with the minimal amount of sawdust left behind...and so was he.

For the Allura cement board, I think the HKC probably picks up 60-70% of the dust with only the standard dust bag. I would expect it to get to the 80-85% level if I was using a dust vac.