TS55 struggles

[Ned]

Hi,

    Tinker, when you say the "standard" blade - do you mean the one (Fine) that comes withthe saw or the actual Standard  (487377) blade?

Seth

I have the older ATF 55.  My blade is the 28 tooth that came with that saw. 
Tinker

And I've got an ATF 55, and mine came with the 48-tooth.  So in my case the 48-tooth was standard.

Festool currently lists a 12-tooth "Standard" (487377) and a 28-tooth "Universal" (490516), but continues to ship TS 55s with the 48-tooth "Fine" blade (491952).  Oh, and there are two different "Special" blades.  Only the "Panther" blade has a clearly unique name.

The most reliable way of telling others what blade you're using is the part number.  "Standard" and "came with my saw" just don't work.

Ned

 

[Dave Ronyak]

OK, Ned is right.  I prefer the "Universal" blade on leave it on my TS 55 most of the time.  The name well fits its performance for me on my TS 55, on all cuts on all lumber and plywoods I have tried. 

Dave R.

 

[chris mann]

I can always use the RO 150 to clean up the edges if need be if the panther leaves a rougher cut.  On a related note, would having the hard pad for the RO make a noticeable difference on not having a tendency to round the edges when used on the 2" edge of the board I would have just sawn?

I've used the panther blade alot to rip down lumber and I can't imagine how you'd clean up the edge with a random orbit sander.  For me the cut has always been really rough, it usually takes a few passes with a hand plane or a run through the planer.

If you do go the sander route, the hard pad does make a difference, but on 2" wide material it's harder to keep from tipping the sander as you move back and forth.  You'd be better off with the linear sander (but really better off using a plane).

chris

 

[Tinker]

Hi,

    Tinker, when you say the "standard" blade - do you mean the one (Fine) that comes withthe saw or the actual Standard  (487377) blade?

Seth

I have the older ATF 55.  My blade is the 28 tooth that came with that saw. 
Tinker

And I've got an ATF 55, and mine came with the 48-tooth.  So in my case the 48-tooth was standard.

Festool currently lists a 12-tooth "Standard" (487377) and a 28-tooth "Universal" (490516), but continues to ship TS 55s with the 48-tooth "Fine" blade (491952).  Oh, and there are two different "Special" blades.  Only the "Panther" blade has a clearly unique name.

The most reliable way of telling others what blade you're using is the part number.  "Standard" and "came with my saw" just don't work.

Ned

Ned, Sorry about that.  I do not have my saw sitting here beside me when i type   i have my computer sitting beside the kitchen table and piles of biz papers on a corner of the table.  i am in constant hot water from YKW (You Know Who) and can you immagine the static if i were to keep my ATF here beside me? ???  My catalogue containing info for my ATF has long been stored in the attic and i am not actually sure if the parts #'s are still the same.  If somebody need to absolutely know the part number, i can go to the 2007 catalogue, or pull the blade out of my ATF 55 and get the number. 

If i were to replace with order from the 2007 catalogue, I would order the Universal 28 tooth blade.#490 516

For laminates and hardboard MD fiberboard, particle board and anything that I think might be a problem with that blade, I have a Negative hooked 28 tooth blade that I can no longer locate in the catalogue.  Since i cannot locate it in the "book", I keep it well hidden away and packed in a cardboard box wrapped in newspaper with a thin coating of sawdust directly on the blade itself.  i may use that blade once a year or less, but i do not want it damaged from everyday exposure to work or the ellements. :-\

Tinker

 

[Daviddubya]

Tinker - If you need a Festool part number, you can easily look it up on the Festool-USA web site.  But I'm sure you already knew that.  I'm pretty sure the part numbers have not changed in several years.

Interesting that this thread lives on, even though the original poster has put his TS55 up for sale in the classifieds here.  I suppose he is buying a TS75.  Problem solved, although he will still need a ripping blade.

Festool would help us all if they renamed the saw blades so the names made a bit more sense.  Then again, we would all need to learn the new names.  ;D

 

[Tinker]

I did go to my catalogue before i actually completed my previous post and found the part # for the 28 tooth blade listed as "Universal saw blade".  I later discovered, quite by accident, that blades are listed for the old ATF in my 2007 catalogue.  The blade numbers are same as for TS 55.  I also discovered there is ONLY one blade shown with 28 teeth.  That is the universal saw blade # 490 516.  for those who might still be confused, Ther is only one blade listed as Universal, only one blade listed with 28 teeth and they both happen to be the same #490 516.

Anyhow, for my purposes, Universal blade is quite discriptive.  I use it almost exclusively for everything.  Cross cutting square to compound bevels.  Ripping square to bevel.  I also use it for resawing heavier blocks of wood.  I described the method in a previous post above.  That is actually a terrific blade doing as well and better than any of my 10" combo blades on my table saw (currently gathering rust in my equipment barn)

Tinker

 

[Steveo48]

Totally right here.  8/4 white oak is very hard, very thick stuff to cut.  I have a 5HP Unisaw and wood like that takes more time and more umph behind it.  I don't have a TS 75 but I believe this would be a big chore for it too.

Do buy a rip blade for it, it will make a world of difference, and clamp the guide rail down.

the ts75 is better equipt to handle larger loads.  a blade with fewer teeth would also work better and  don't force it. let it do the work.  it will take time.  especially that thick of stock.

even a table saw you would need a 3 hp or 5 with a great blade to rip it down.

 

[Ned]

You guys are getting me more interested in the Universal blade (490516).  Pretty strong endorsements.

I've got the Fine (491952), the Panther (439685), and the aluminum-cutting one (439686).

Don't ask me about the '686.  It's been several years and I haven't used it yet.  Freud Non-ferrous and Plastic blades in my miter saw have done all of that kind of cutting.

Ned

 

[Steveo48]

.....  Festool would help us all if they renamed the saw blades so the names made a bit more sense. 

So true, Panther, Universal and Standard don't do much for us.

 

[Daviddubya]

So true, Panther, Universal and Standard don't do much for us.

Don't forget Special and Special, two different blades for two different applications.  Seems like Fine Tooth is the only one that makes sense until you realize that one of the Special blades for cutting melamine (among other things) has 56 teeth compared to 48 for the Fine Tooth.  Is this what happens when engineers get to name things instead of marketing folks?  And before you jump on me, I'm an engineer!

 

[Michael Kellough]

.....  Festool would help us all if they renamed the saw blades so the names made a bit more sense. 

So true, Panther, Universal and Standard don't do much for us.

Tinker, I checked my 2003 catalog and only one blade had negative hook teeth, "Special saw blade 439686", not to be confused with "Special saw blade 489457".

The Panther and Universal names seem appropriate to me. My Panther blade tears the hell out of the wood (so I don't use it) so maybe it would be better to call it Wild Panther. The Universal blade works pretty well for nearly everything, including ripping. The Fine tooth blade makes finer cuts. So far so good as far as the names of the blades.

The Standard blade I don't have and have never used but this seems like the most dubious name to me. Then there are the two blades formerly known as Special saw blade. The one with negative hook is now helpfully called Aluminum/plastic saw blade. The other is now Solid surface/laminate saw blade. A big improvement.

 

[greg mann]

Is this what happens when engineers get to name things instead of marketing folks?  And before you jump on me, I'm an engineer!

Dave,

With all due respect to our Teutonic friends, we have a million dollar Gildemeister (from you know where) on our floor. The manuals are in English but written by Germans. The training was done by a Brit and when I asked him about the goofy terminolgy used in the manuals and the machine control he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "The Germans think they know English. Hell, you and I speak English as our native language and sometimes I get the feeling you have no clue what I am saying."  ;D

 

[Tinker]

.....  Festool would help us all if they renamed the saw blades so the names made a bit more sense. 

So true, Panther, Universal and Standard don't do much for us.

Tinker, I checked my 2003 catalog and only one blade had negative hook teeth, "Special saw blade 439686", not to be confused with "Special saw blade 489457".

I suspect that is probably the blade i have.  I cannot find that # in any of the catalogues not presently stored in the attic but if important to anybody, i can check.  The only "books i have for immediate study are the 2005 and 2007.
Tinker

 

[Dave Ronyak]

My bet is there are many engineers among Festool owners, at least among the hobbyists like myself.  Engineers tend to gravitate to well designed and well manufactured products.  I say this because I have seen a similar trend regarding other German made products, especially automobiles.

Dave R.

 

[Tinker]

I checked my "Negative pitch blade" yesterday.  i stand corrected on previous descritions. as i mentioned, I use it on very rare ocassions.

There is no number on the blade itself, where I first checked.  I did count the teeth and as soon as I looked at the blade, i realised my previous description (28 tooth) was in error, for which i offer appologies.

The blade is 48 tooth tripple chip with "-1" marked on the blade. I have assumed that to mean -1? pitch. The part # is 489 457. The catalogue lists this blade as "positive hook"  The pitch is so close, i cannot determine exactly if it is positive or negative for sure, but it does seem to be negative.  The dealer, an ex flooring contractor, had marked the original package in pen as used for "flooring and corian".  I had asked for negative pitch blade and explained what my major use would be. 

For those who want precise description, this is best i can do.

Tinker

 

[Daviddubya]

...The blade is 48 tooth tripple chip with "-1" marked on the blade. I have assumed that to mean -1? pitch. The part # is 489 457. The catalogue lists this blade as "positive hook"  The pitch is so close, i cannot determine exactly if it is positive or negative for sure, but it does seem to be negative.  The dealer, an ex flooring contractor, had marked the original package in pen as used for "flooring and corian".  I had asked for negative pitch blade and explained what my major use would be. 

For those who want precise description, this is best i can do.

Tinker

Tinker - This is the blade you have:
http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProdID=489457&ID=3

I have one of the TCG blades, which I bought to use on a melamine project.  I found that it cuts no better than the Fine Tooth blade, at least in melamine.  For REALLY good cuts in veneers, I use a High ATB grind blade in my table saw.  Unfortunately, Festool does not offer a High ATB blade for their saws.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I briefly had a Festool blade that was mistakenly sent to me when the regular Fine tooth blades where in short supply. When I asked Festool about the switch the blade was said to be a "flooring" blade and prized by the trade. But, the one I tried (possibly a bad sample) was rougher than the Fine blade and also had a wider kerf so I sent it back. I don't think it was a negative hook though, so it may have been yet another mystery blade.