TS55 cut question

[zapdafish]

I've had the TS55 for a few weeks now and really like it. I have mainly used it to breakdown 3/4 MDF sheets and some dimensional lumber from the borg.

It goes through MDF like butter.

When going through the 2bi dimensional stuff tho, the cut was nice and smooth like I expected but it felt like I was maybe pushing it too hard, the saw sounded like it was starting to strain so I slowed it down. I was doing a diagonal cut over a 4 ft section of a 2x12.  It was white pine so I was kind of suprised I had to  back off so much compared to the mdf.

Tonight I was breaking down some 1/2" birch ply and felt the same resistance I was getting when cutting the pine. Based on what I smelled, I might have come close to burning the ply as I cut through it.

Do I need a different blade than the stock blade for any of these cuts or should I upgrade to the TS75? I am used to cutting these materials with my tablesaw and it basically goes through all these materials like butter without me needing to change my feed rate. I haven't tried the TS55 on any hardwoods yet.

Thanks...Steve

 

[Brice Burrell]

Ask yourself this question, would you use the same blade on your table saw to make perfect finish cross cuts in veneer ply as you would for framing lumber? The answer is obvious, of course you wouldn't. The TS55 will cut framing lumber or other thick(ish) materials but it will do it somewhat reluctantly. With the right blade 2x pine isn't too bad, 8/4" hardwood, not a good idea. If you think you'll be cutting thick material regularly the 75 is the way to go. You shouldn't be getting burning with 1/2" ply, you might want to try to clean your blade.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Time to get a different blade.

I really like my tenryu 24t I got for my 55.
I use it for any kind of ply, doors and SYP treated and untreated. 
It is a great blade for the money.

 

[zapdafish]

Thanks, I'll read up on the Tenryu blades at work tommorrow.

And I do use only one blade to do all my cuts on the tablesaw, the Forrest woodworker II all purpose blade  [smile]. It's an amazing blade, gives me smooth cuts on ply, ripping and cross cutting red oak and anything else i run through there. I only swap it out for dadoes.  Guess I'm just spoiled, never had to learn about different types of blades for different types of cuts.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

48t is a lot of teeth on a small blade.

It is a good blade, just not the best for heavier ripping work.